Explore: Haiti

• Haiti, which makes up the western third of the island of Hispaniola, is a passage through the “old Caribbean”. Its innocence is still present, but – like Cuba – is losing some of this old charm as it catches up to the modern world.
• Poverty exists in Haiti. The 2010 earthquake exacerbated it. In the larger cities, there are still areas of slums similar to the favelas in Rio de Janeiro. This country has the lowest per capita income in the Western Hemisphere: $400 in the cities, $100 in the rural areas. Unfortunately, the presence of poverty puts some cruisers off to visiting this amazing country.
• The rate of violence to cruisers is some of the lowest and infrequent in the Caribbean. It has been more than three years since the last reported event. See the latest from the Caribbean Safety and Security Net.
• Haiti has a UNESCO World Heritage site near Cap Haitian. The Citadelle Laferriere and the surrounding historical area is one of the highlights of the Caribbean for many cruisers.
• Haiti now has two SSCA hosts, one on Ile a Vache and one on Ile a Gonave, an island about 30 miles west of Port-au-Prince.
• Haiti offers easy entry into the Caribbean for North American sailors through the Windward Passage and parts of Haiti are very accessible. Clearance procedures are usually fast and feel informal compared to elsewhere.
• Those that use the Windward Passage can safely stop at Cap Mole St. Nicolas on the west side of the north peninsula or Bombardopolis on the southwest corner of the north peninsula.
• Going south through the Windward Passage at the west end of the south peninsula is Anse d’Hainault and then just around the corner Ile a Vache.
• Self-sufficiency is the key to visiting Haiti as there are no marinas or repair centres. It is good to have the ability to make drinking water as the potable water in Haiti is hard to come by and of poor quality.
• The language of Haiti is Kreyol, however many speak French and some even speak English.
• The capital, Port-au-Prince lies on the inside of the bay and is a bit of a long passage to reach it. Visit by land, not by sea: the primary wharf for the city is surrounded by one of the most densely populated slums in the West (Cite Soleil). However, just 35 miles to the west of the capital is the Bay of Bandareres, which is beautiful and not a dangerous area.
• The Island of Ile-a-Vache is safe and charming. They are well acquainted with cruising boats and it is as good a cruising destination as any in the Caribbean. Today Ile-a-Vache is somewhat prosperous and the government is planning a major tourist centre on the island with an airport and hotels. (As of late-2017 this development may have stalled, but the island is still a great destination.)
• Cruising is best done from east to west as particularly during winter the strong trade winds make eastbound passages difficult. If going eastbound, cruisers normally do this along with the south coast as the north coast has more persistent swell from the Atlantic.
• If visiting Haiti from Colombia, it is recommended to clear first at Jamaica at Port Antonio before proceeding east to Haiti. For further details read the comment below dated 13 Feb. 2015.

An interesting article by Lonely Planet in January 2015 is worth a read if you are planning to visit Haiti: Is it safe to travel to Haiti?

Dan and Kika on the Sailing Uma YouTube Channel spent an entire season in Haiti and cruised a few of the major locations.

A map of recommended anchorages in Haiti (yellow spot) by Frank Virgintino, author of the free Haiti Cruising Guide.