michael_w
Well-known member
SWMBO and I are thinking of visiting this winter; trying to separate the facts from hearsay. All up to date information much appreciated!
Cuba and the Dominican Republic
- Thread starter michael_w
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TQA
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- Carribbean currently Grenada
There are free online cruising guides to both Cuba and the Dr. Have you found them.
I have also spoken to three boats who have recently been there and listened to their stories. I am now planning a visit in a 2 year clockwise Caribbean circumnavigation.
I am happy about visiting both Cuba and the Dr. Venuzuela though is another matter.
I have also spoken to three boats who have recently been there and listened to their stories. I am now planning a visit in a 2 year clockwise Caribbean circumnavigation.
I am happy about visiting both Cuba and the Dr. Venuzuela though is another matter.
jonic
Well-known member
Both different to the rest of the Caribbean, but we enjoyed them.
Cuba is culturally fascinating, DR has some beautiful scenery and some sensational beaches on the eastern side.
Cuba is culturally fascinating, DR has some beautiful scenery and some sensational beaches on the eastern side.
Last edited:
Ludd
New member
sailorman
Well-known member
They say Guantanamo Bay is nice-----
Heading south again?
but its difficult to leave just when you want
Jobs a good un
Member
Dominican Republic etc
Hi Mike
Theres not much on the area ive been looking,nothing in the admiralty store in Bristol.
It cant be cruised that much,we are planning to go to central America viaPuerto Rico,Dom Rep,Jamaica.
Maybe see you on route for a beer
Regards
Mark
http://cruisenews.net/db/pagetemplate.php?cat_id=38
http://www.freecruisingguide.com/
Hi Mike
Theres not much on the area ive been looking,nothing in the admiralty store in Bristol.
It cant be cruised that much,we are planning to go to central America viaPuerto Rico,Dom Rep,Jamaica.
Maybe see you on route for a beer
Regards
Mark
http://cruisenews.net/db/pagetemplate.php?cat_id=38
http://www.freecruisingguide.com/
Salty John
Active member
The best information I've found for DR and Haiti is Bruce Van Sant's 'The Gentleman's Guide to Passages South'.
Bruce lives in DR and when we cruised the area his info was spot on.
http://www.amazon.com/Gentlemans-Guide-Passages-South/dp/0944428541
Bruce lives in DR and when we cruised the area his info was spot on.
http://www.amazon.com/Gentlemans-Guide-Passages-South/dp/0944428541
blenkinsop
Member
Based on our visits in 2008;
DR - avoid Samana, poor anchorage. South coast seems to have more, better anchorages than the north (which is the bit covered by van Sant, who lives in Luperon). The south coast is covered by the free on line guide written by the American who runs the marina at Boca Chica, a much better stop than Santa Domingo, which is worth a visit by land, easy bus trip from Boca Chica. Local public transport is by small motorbike, who may take two passengers at a time!
Cuba - we went to Cienfuegos and Trinidad on the south coast, Santiago was closed to yachts at the time, so we had to check in at Cienfuegos - very friendly and efficient officials. Lots of attractive anchorages on the south coast for which the pilot by Nigel Calder was invaluable. Paper charts were difficult to obtain - the ones referred to by Calder were out of print. Easy transport from Cienfuegos to Havana. DK guidebook good for Cuba, including details of the scheme whereby local people can rent out rooms in their homes, of which we took advantage for our visit to Havana.
DR - avoid Samana, poor anchorage. South coast seems to have more, better anchorages than the north (which is the bit covered by van Sant, who lives in Luperon). The south coast is covered by the free on line guide written by the American who runs the marina at Boca Chica, a much better stop than Santa Domingo, which is worth a visit by land, easy bus trip from Boca Chica. Local public transport is by small motorbike, who may take two passengers at a time!
Cuba - we went to Cienfuegos and Trinidad on the south coast, Santiago was closed to yachts at the time, so we had to check in at Cienfuegos - very friendly and efficient officials. Lots of attractive anchorages on the south coast for which the pilot by Nigel Calder was invaluable. Paper charts were difficult to obtain - the ones referred to by Calder were out of print. Easy transport from Cienfuegos to Havana. DK guidebook good for Cuba, including details of the scheme whereby local people can rent out rooms in their homes, of which we took advantage for our visit to Havana.
Tradewinds
Well-known member
michael_w
Well-known member
Thanks guys, lots of good stuff there. Now in Solomons Island waiting for engine spares.....
sailorman
Well-known member
Hi Mike nothing serious i hope.
michael_w
Well-known member
No, just a new water pump impeller, having used my spare. After 1000 hours it only had 2 vanes left!
sailorman
Well-known member
Foxy
Member
Have lots of info on Cuba if you still need it. Spent about three or four months there recently over two visits. Our fave place of all for cruising but it does depend on your outlook.
Cheers
Patrick and Sinead
Cheers
Patrick and Sinead
AndrewB
Well-known member
DR is perhaps my least favourite place - that from the briefest of stays at Boca Chica in 2007! Tough, rude officials, exploitative unfriendly locals, we were glad to get out.
Cuba is interesting, well worth a visit. Cienfuegos on the south coast is specially beautiful. Though you can arrive in Cuba with no more than a VHF call, once tied up the level of scrutiny is daunting. We had officials on board for over four hours at first port of call, they inspected everything including pulling sails out of bags, taking down ceiling panels etc etc. You are rescrutinised at each port, always including sniffer dogs.
The locals are very pleasant but often somewhat wary, probably talking to tourists brings them under scrutiny.
Supplies are VERY limited. The dual currency system creates obstacles to shopping for food outside the official marina shops, but most cruisers do get round that.
There's a blog of our experiences in Cuba here.
Cuba is interesting, well worth a visit. Cienfuegos on the south coast is specially beautiful. Though you can arrive in Cuba with no more than a VHF call, once tied up the level of scrutiny is daunting. We had officials on board for over four hours at first port of call, they inspected everything including pulling sails out of bags, taking down ceiling panels etc etc. You are rescrutinised at each port, always including sniffer dogs.
The locals are very pleasant but often somewhat wary, probably talking to tourists brings them under scrutiny.
Supplies are VERY limited. The dual currency system creates obstacles to shopping for food outside the official marina shops, but most cruisers do get round that.
There's a blog of our experiences in Cuba here.
James Marinero
Member
Reading
Haven't been there, it's on the to do list. I'd heard a lot about it (colleagues scuba diving), plus the Buena Vista music, Ry Cooder and so on. Then I read Havana Bay by Martin Cruz Smith. That really gave me an appetite. Lots of little cultural niceties. Read Gorky Park first, if you haven't done so already, so that you get introduced to main character.
I suspect it's becoming more 'westernized' by the day now that Fidel is off the scene. So, methinks I'd better get on with it.
Are there any problems going on to the US later?
Haven't been there, it's on the to do list. I'd heard a lot about it (colleagues scuba diving), plus the Buena Vista music, Ry Cooder and so on. Then I read Havana Bay by Martin Cruz Smith. That really gave me an appetite. Lots of little cultural niceties. Read Gorky Park first, if you haven't done so already, so that you get introduced to main character.
I suspect it's becoming more 'westernized' by the day now that Fidel is off the scene. So, methinks I'd better get on with it.
Are there any problems going on to the US later?
sailorman
Well-known member
Foxy
Member
Anyone who wants info of entry ports, what happens, food, currency, places to go etc feel free to PM or mail us direct (from our website www.yachtfoxglove.com) or there is a bit of info on our blog (box on right hand side).
If you like everything to be put in place for you, or get frustrated with things not being as you want them to be, then thats fine, but give Cuba a miss as it probably won't float ya boat - and each to their own I say. But if you like an adventure..........
If you like everything to be put in place for you, or get frustrated with things not being as you want them to be, then thats fine, but give Cuba a miss as it probably won't float ya boat - and each to their own I say. But if you like an adventure..........
Foxy
Member
Had no problems sailing direct to the US. Even told them where we had come from.