Hemingway Marina is located about 10 miles from the center of Havana (Latitude: 23° 5.35′ N, Longitude: 82° 30.5′ W).
Hail the dock master on VHF channel 16 and he will guide you to channel 77 or over SSB 7462. Telephone +53 (537) 204 5088, (537) 204 5280
For boats entering the marina, navigation can be difficult at night or in bad weather due to narrow passage. Marina depth has been reported at 12 feet. The facility is designed for about 450 boats, but it appears the capacity is closer to 150 considering construction and repair issues. Overall, the marina can be described as adequate but not up to the standards of a S. Florida marina.
The Cuban customs people are reportedly easy to work with. It is not advised to enter Cuban waters without proper documentation and registration with Cuban authorities – and with US authorities if you are on a US-flagged boat or have aboard persons of US jurisdiction.
Travel within Cuba is easy and safe.
Here are US rules for travel to Cuba if you are a US citizen or subject to US jurisdiction.
At the marina you can find a basic grocery store, a bar (including a cigar bar), a small (mid-range) hotel, hot water (most of the time), power (most of the time) and security guards. As of the writing of this article, only cash and non-US credit cards are accepted as payment.
Here is an upscale Spanish hotel located about 15 minutes from the marina.
Advanced panning is vital for US boats headed to Cuba. According to Michael Moore, a leading maritime attorney based in Coral Gables, Florida, the list of requirements for US boats and persons of US jurisdiction includes:
1. US Coast Guard CG 3300 Approved Permit (2 copies)
2. US Coast Guard Documentation Form ( If yours is a documented Vessel)
3. State Registration (If applicable)
4. US Customs Decal number and sticker
5. Copy of your insurance policy with Cuban coverage
6. All Persons onboard have a Valid Passport valid for a least 6 months remaining
7. Proof of Payment of To Any Official Cuban Event, such as a Fishing Tournament with Registration and Proof of Payment
8. Proof of Payment of Hotel (If Applicable)
9. Issued Cuban Visa for each crew member (Traveling by boat)
10. Completed Cuban “Declaracion” (General Statement of Foreign Vessels)
11. Certification of Travel to Cuba Under General License (Executed)
12. Cuban “Lista De Tripulantes” (Listing of crews Visa Number, Last Name, First Name, Date of Birth, Citizenship, Sex and Passport Number
13. Small Vessel Reporting System (SVRS) Approval or Local Boater Option Card (Optional but, if not acquired you and all crew members will need to report to a US Customs office within 24 hours of entering the US and could face boarding and/or inspection)
14. Copy of Moore & Co. Email confirming your exemption from the Department of Commerce and US Treasury Office of Foreign Asset Control Permits
Here’s how to contact Moore & Company
Hemingway International Yacht Club (HIYC)
The HIYC of Cuba was founded in 1992. Next year will be the 25th anniversary of its foundation. The international yacht community is invited to join in the celebration.
The club has 2,785 members and relationships with more than 700 yacht clubs, associations and institutions in the international nautical community including many from the United States.
The HIYC represents Cuba in the Seven Seas Cruising Association, the largest cruising association in the world, and the Texas Mariners Cruising Association. Other examples include Key West Yacht Club, Sarasota Yacht Club, Pensacola Yacht Club, Lauderdale Yacht Club, Tampa Yacht and Country Club. HIYC telephone:+53 (537) 204 1689 and (537) 204 6653.
