Visit Haiti, January 2018.
We visited Cap Haitian at the beginning of January.
On arrival, the agent took care of Immigration. No customs are necessary. US$100 for everything.
When you arrive at the city of Cap Haitian, go to the cargo dock opposite the coastguard and ask for Thomas, also known as “Ketchup”.

He speaks good English and is working at the dock. The dock is very secure and when going to town, ask Thomas to go with you. He can arrange trips to the castle.
Thomas has a friend called Rodney. He was our watchman, sitting on the boat and keeping it safe. Thomas is very good at showing people around the market and the town. He knows what is safe and not.

Rodney got about 40 USD for 20 hours of “watch” and Thomas got 80 USD plus a big bag of rice for helping us for a whole week.

About 3nm west of Cap Haitian there is a bay called Labadie. First when you enter you will pass a big cruise dock and island only made for cruise ship tourists. At the bottom of the bay is a little village which is very beautiful. Anchor in 6m in good mud.

Water is not drinkable and watermakers are no use in Cap Haitian. There is too much garbage in the water. Have plenty of water and food on board. We bought a lot of food on the market, but carefully washed everything.

Every person on Haiti has been extremely friendly and open. It’s a beautiful country with beautiful people. It is really worth a visit!

Posted on behalf of Frank VIrgintino from Marina Zarpar, DR:
13 February 2015

We have received a few boats, the most recent today, Canadian flagged, that sailed directly from Cartagena to Ile a Vache Haiti. I have never heard of boats being boarded by the authorities in Haiti, but in this case, the Haitian Coast Guard assisted by what appears to be United Nations military or police boarded the boat and retained the owner and crew a number of days while the boat endured extensive checking.

I would recommend that boats coming from Colombia to Haiti, clear first at Jamaica at Port Antonio before proceeding east to Haiti.

We recently visited Haiti on our journey through the windward passage. We are thankful for the guidance that Frank V. gave us on where to stop. If you happen to be travelling the same route, you should stop at the small fishing village just under the northern peninsula. It breaks up the long sail and is a good place to rest.

The people in the village are extremely nice and very helpful. Nobody asked us for money or bothered us in any way. There was a gentlemen name College who spoke pretty good English. He asked me to convey the real needs of the village where supplies. Especially things like paint (for the school), pens, pencils, and paper (for the kids), used or old sails for the fishermen, etc. After our initial anchoring, we were greeted by the fishermen, and taken ashore by College and his brother.

We were given a tour of the village, and then played limbo, and jump rope with the children. It was an awesome visit. The anchorage is good for any easterlies, but it can be a bit rolly. Email Frank for the coordinates.

Roark&Sheri
s/v Island Pearl