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Entering by boat: Cuba

What to do to enter Cuba by sea: the procedures, the papers to present and the ports where you can clear in.

Check with the authorities before you leave (last checked on 28 October 2026).

The steps

  1. At 12 miles: call the Guarda Frontera (VHF 16/77) and give your arrival marina.
  2. Tie up at the marina dock with the Q flag; stay on board.
  3. Doctor, agriculture/veterinary, immigration (tourist card), customs and harbour master come aboard.
  4. Get the despacho to sail to your next stop; give 24 h notice before final departure.

Papers to have on board

  • Passports for the whole crew
  • Visas, if your nationality requires them
  • Crew list
  • Boat papers (registration certificate)
  • Outward clearance from the previous country
  • Maritime declaration of health
  • Papers for animals on board
  • Vaccination certificates

Good to know

  • Entry only at an international marina: commercial ports do not accept yachts.
  • Call the Guarda Frontera at 12 miles on VHF 16 or 77 (or SSB 2128 kHz).
  • A cruising permit (despacho) is needed for every move; stops outside marinas are often limited to 48 h.
  • Some marinas may close when their generator fails (e.g. Cabo San Antonio): check fuel and power before relying on them.
  • US-flagged or US-owned boats: US rules (OFAC, BIS licence, USCG form CG-3300) must be checked before departure.

Ports of entry

The ports where you can clear in, and the services available there.

Cayo Guillermo

Cayo Largo del Sur

Cuba (Cienfuegos)

Cuba (Holguín)

Cuba (La Havane)

Cuba (Matanzas)

Cuba (Pinar del Río)

Cuba (Santiago)

Prepare your arrival with Hullteam

In the app, free: the map of every port of entry and its offices with their contacts, the crew list and the entry forms filled in for you, ready to print or send to an agent.

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Sources

This information is gathered from public sources and sailors’ experience. It does not replace the country’s authorities, whose word is final: check before you leave.