Canadian want to sail to Cuba

[joec43]

We are Canadian citizens sailing the Great Circle Loop, and will be in Florida in December. Would love to visit Cuba, but I understand that I will have trouble going back to US waters to head home up the east coast.

Is that correct, or have things changed?

Would like to hear some real information from folks that have done it.

Joe

[jackd]

We are Canadian citizens sailing the Great Circle Loop, and will be in Florida in December. Would love to visit Cuba, but I understand that I will have trouble going back to US waters to head home up the east coast.

Is that correct, or have things changed?

Would like to hear some real information from folks that have done it.

Joe

Things have not changed, until the USA throws all Cubans out of the USA things will not change.

There are few reports of recent sailing/boating trips reports, you can go to Cuba and if you claim having been to Cuba you can be refused entry into US ports.

Don't say you went to Cuba or have anything that can prove you went to Cuba.

Do you need crew?

[cubafish]

Uhhh Jack, me thinks you have not been to Cuba by boat too many times . . . . . :-)

Here's the scoop on the OP's question. As a Canadian citizen, if you sail to Cuba with no US citizens aboard, and if your boat is registered in Canada, you will have no problema departing the US and heading directly for Cuba, or sailing thru the Bahamas to Cuba. Then once you depart Cuba, as long as you do not return to the US with any US citizens aboard, you will encounter no problems with US Immigration or Customs Agents when you clear back into the US (also see below).

Jack's advice above about omitting Cuba as places you have visited when you fill out your incoming US Immigration card when you return from Cuba is a good idea. An even better idea is to return to the US thru the Bahamas and then claim only the Bahamas on your incoming US Immigration card when filling in the space that says: "what countries have you visited since you last left the USA." Doing this helps eliminate any leading questions from US Immigration or Customs Agents regarding what you may have on board. And FYI, any and all products produced in Cuba are prohibited entry into the US, even if you purchased same in the Bahamas, Canada, or elsewhere - so drink that rum and smoke those cigars before you get back to US shores (or hide same where they will not be discovered).

FYI, the book "Cuba: A Cruising Guide," by Nigel Calder is the Bible for cruising Cuba if you are interested. Best availability is Bluewater Books in Ft. Liquordale - the worlds best source for nautical books and charts.

Hope this helps. Questions?

[fasttimes]

Hello,i regularly sail from states to cuba and back.,,im english with english flagged vessel...my friends who have canadian flag sail back and forth the same..the customs in key west [thats where you should clear]may ask you to please enter through bahamas..one day a customs officer was giving me stick saying it was not right my sailing back and forth,at that his superior came over told him to shut up explained that as british flagged i was free to come and go and that if that was the law then it will be so..was quite embarrassing...canadians are given six month 3x3 visas ,whereas uk only get 30days x 30days..other words stay 30days renew visa extension another 30 days after that person must leave cuba ,we sail out over 12 mile limit go past midnight and then return first light...paso malo into varadero carries 14ft all the way unlike calders book.....varadero much safer than havana...takes about 15hrs from marathon in keys to varadero...wait till gulf stream no more than 3-5ft cus it can be baddddddddd..hope this helps see you soon!!..oh by way Marina darsena much cheaper than Hemmingway,,after six months rate is 200 bucks a month..thats why folks fly back n forth canada English Mike

[fasttimes]

joec43 for your info ,,if you enter bahamian waters so that you return to states morally correct,,when you clear bahamian customs the charge is 150 bucks upto 35ft and 300 bucks 35+ its just extra days sailing and very nice...cristal waters and fine sights up through abacos its worth doing and then across to west palm beach...55mile crossing..

[skoda]

Things have not changed, until the USA throws all Cubans out of the USA things will not change.

WTF ... can't you change your worn out tune once in a while? You are soooo boring ... almost like Canadian politics ...
You have nothing constructive to add to the thread yet you offer your stupid CA remark. Grow up before it's too late, old man!

[felo]

pretty interestin info i have to say i have think myself on the idea to sail to cuba a few times but never realized it, i will try to find the book you menction, thanks again