Lesser Antilles to Cuba

[giraffehappy]

Hi, We are planning to leave Grenada in December and island hop down the Lesser Antilles. Any reports on yacht security problems around the Venezuelan (east) end? After a 500 odd mile passage across the Caribbean Sea, we wondered if it was possible to stop and reprovision on Navassa Island east of Haiti? We have US visas.
Thanks..

 

[AndrewB]

Venezuela security

Its always necessary to be careful in Venezuela, specially on Paria peninsula. but we've not had any feedback in Trinidad of anything seriously untoward in eastern Venezuela recently. Several yachts have recently returned here from the Orinoco delta, Rio Manamo, where they had a friendly welcome though apparently the police there advised against visting the nearby Rio Macareo.

 

[KellysEye]

I'm a bit confused that you say you are going to island hop the Lesser Antilles from Grenada but then asked about Venezuela, which is in a different direction.

However, to answer the question, don't go within 50 miles of the Peninsula de Paria. They run drugs along there and don't want witnesses. It's been fairly quiet recently because almost nobody goes there after a number of yachties were shot as a warning to stay away (the only incident I've heard this year was an armed robbery of a French yacht, who should have known better). The way to go is Islas Testigos, Margarita then either down to the mainland or along the (beautiful) Venezuelan out islands. Always lift your dinghy and outboard on deck and chain it every night or it WILL be stolen.

I don't know the island you mention but I'm not aware of any yachts that have gone to Haiti itself, I'd bet some have but check the security situation with the appropriate embassy. I don't know why but I've always thought it's a dangerous place. Most yachts stop in the Dominican Republic.

 

[KellysEye]

Had a couple of other thoughts. You can stop on the north (inside) side of the Gulf of Cariaco but don't overnight on the south side (you can go south side to provision but get north side before dark). Also don't go near the village of Santa Fe or its surrounds. Again major drug routes.

Ask other cruisers in Margarita about the latest situation but beware the doom mongers, ask them specifically what happened where and when. If they can't answer ignore them.

You may be told not to stop at the islands south of Margarita - Coche and Cubagua - in fact they are OK. Basically if you meet a Brit boat take note of what they say, if you meet an American boat bear in mind many of them are scared of their own shadows. Sorry if that sounds like stereotyping but that has been our experience.

 

[Sea Devil]

Haiti is very very dangerous. You should keep well clear. However the Dominican Republic is not and is a very good place to visit. Samana is a big bay frequently full of whale. I had something like 30 or 40 breach around me on one visit and twice had to go hard astern on the motor when they surfaced just ahead. Probably the nicest place is Luperon - wonderful safe mangrove anchorage. Good local shops, cafes and restaurants at very local prices. From there it is an easy hop to bypass Haiti and enter Cuba... The officialdom is a bit slow and lots of it but once through that hurdle Cuba is a very good experience with some lovely ports all the way to Key West.

Michael