Reviews from Rey Stephane (18)

Marina Review for Marina Marlin Cayo Largo del Sur

Reviewed by: Rey Stephane on Jun 5, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Very pretty little Marina with a pontoon reserved for foreigners passing through! . Unfortunately when we were there at the beginning of June the port director was at home in Havana, so very limited reception we had to fend for ourselves.
Water and electricity included in the price but be careful the water is not drinkable, it is brackish. Very simple formalities.
At this time, out of season, the hours are "special"!!…
Average restaurant, be careful to ask before if they accept pesos because otherwise credit card payment at the official rate, 1/120.
Tuesday loud music until 3 a.m. at the Pirates bar on the Marina.

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Anchorage Review for Cayo Guano del Este

Reviewed by: Rey Stephane on May 31, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.0'

Stop for a night offering protection from the east!! . Anchorage on sand and grass at a depth of 5 m.
No one came to see us and yet there were 3 fishing boats and we saw the 2 guards in the distance.

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Marina Review for Marina Marlin Cienfuegos

Reviewed by: Rey Stephane on May 30, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 3

Marina very welcoming but that's it!!!
We stayed 8 nights while visiting Cienfuegos, Trinidad and Havana, we never had water and power cuts every day for 7/9 hours...
The water service seems very special because it has a tank that fills with city water and then a pump to distribute the water to the pontoons, and even when there is electricity the distribution of 'water doesn't exist except when a rental boat needs it...
The authorities are three efficient and precise.
Concrete dock and cleat in poor condition, this is Cuba ?. For diesel it is possible, but you need electricity and cash in $ otherwise the price is not the same!! … If you have a tuk tuk (6 seats) Elvis +53 53 5 65317 well you come from the Marina so no problem, he can also supply you with fruits and vegetables and he organized our transport by minibus to Havana for 8 people at the top!!
There is a 4 dock master who confides in Yoandri super ? and speaks English like Rolo.
A very small grocery store at the entrance but nothing on eggs for $0.31 each!!!
Very good place to leave the boat and go visit other cities.

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Anchorage Review for Cayo Zaza de Fuera

Reviewed by: Rey Stephane on May 21, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.0'

Cayo Chiquito or Cayo Zara de Fuera

Anchorage on a sandy and grassy bottom between 3/6 m deep, good protection from the North-East and East. The passage from the south is very easy and well surveyed on the Navionics map, never below 5 m depth.
Surrounded by mangroves, no beach, no fishermen who come to spend the night, no lobster in sight, technical stop for the night, that's it

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Anchorage Review for Cayo Alcatracito

Reviewed by: Rey Stephane on May 20, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.0'

Cayo Alcatracito

Easy entry, well mapped, the anchorage is good if you anchor in the sand with grass, otherwise watch out for the patches of stones that look like sand. You can approach the island, the bottom rises very slowly. The barrier protects from the house but not from the wind.
Two things to see:
1) Go around the mangrove in a canoe to see the very impressive dead part!
2) Still with the dinghy, get closer to the barrier and go snorkeling, you understand why it is called the Queen's gardens but be careful with the "potatoes" and you should see critters with long antennae ??
We went to see the two other anchorages, very complicated entry and sad environment

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Anchorage Review for Cayos Cuervo

Reviewed by: Rey Stephane on May 18, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.0'

A very large anchorage sheltered from almost all winds except from the west! Bottom of clay, sand and grass depending on where you anchor, 3/8 m deep.
I recommend that you go to the south between the two passes facing the only island that has beaches
Be careful inside the anchorage there are two shoals symbolized on the map by a simple small cross but they are much larger than that they are between 50 and 100 m in diameter, located due south of the very small islet
Don't hesitate with the dinghy to leave the anchorage to go and see the small islet towards the southwest with a very pretty bottom and outside and there are lobsters!!!….

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Anchorage Review for Cayo Media Luna

Reviewed by: Rey Stephane on May 14, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.0'

Very large half-moon handle, hence its name! Good protection of the sea by the mangrove barrier. Do not anchor too close because the anchor will not grip (3 attempts). Nothing to do or see except stop and sleep ?

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Anchorage Review for Cabo Cruz

Reviewed by: Rey Stephane on May 13, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.0'

Anchorage well protected from the swell by the barrier but not from the wind
The entry is simple, the Navionics maps are just follow the markings and enter between the green marker and the red one then move towards the village, when there is almost only sand you get wet in 3/5 m of depth, the dark spots are herbs.
As soon as you arrive, a rowing boat with two young border guards will arrive to take your despacho and will bring it back to you 1 hour before your departure!!!

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Anchorage Review for Marea del Portillo

Reviewed by: Rey Stephane on May 12, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.0'

Very beautiful bay, huge and super well protected, a dream anchorage!!!? Mud bottom, super tight, we anchor between 3 and 5 m deep behind the mangroves
Entrance poses no problem, follow the map and the markers.
The border guard came the morning after our arrival at 8 a.m. with his small rowing boat just to copy the despacho and put the entry and exit date, very kind!!
We therefore had the right to go ashore for a walk to visit the village. Great welcome from the population and by bartering we were able to have bananas, eggplants, peppers, mangoes and honey.
Our annex was very well guarded with no security concerns.
With the annex visit from the mangrove to the magnificent sea!!!

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Anchorage Review for Chivirico

Reviewed by: Rey Stephane on May 10, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.0'

Very picturesque anchorage!! A delicate but well explained entry on Navionics with accurate probes!! Follow the alignment at 337° until the light and turn to port heading at 270°. The turn is made 30 m from the shore and stay straight, the end of the reef is indicated by a pole. The pass is 6 m deep and narrow but as soon as it is finished the bottom rises to 2 m Mini, go to the bottom, anchoring on mud at 2.50 m. Super protected from wind and swell. In the background the fishermen's quay

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Marina Review for Marina Marlin Punta Gorda

Reviewed by: Rey Stephane on May 9, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 3

Very small Marina in long side on concrete quay. There are still water and electricity terminals (110/220 V at 60Hz) but the electricity is very often cut off by the state!!!…
Welcoming staff and fairly quick on-site formalities
Entrance fee $55/boat
Visa or tourist card if you have not done so in advance at your embassy $75/person
Medical tax $30/pers
Place for a 44-footer $30.60/day
Unable to book despite the email sent
Possibility of making diesel for $1 per liter but you must do so in advance because authorizations are necessary and only by jerrycans and for the quantity you have requested
No shops around
To go to town taxis or buses but given the few tourists you are very quickly targets and it becomes painful
The restaurant on the island is good but expensive

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Anchorage Review for Calabash Bay

Reviewed by: Rey Stephane on Apr 26, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.0'

Very nice anchorage but be careful if the North wind swell is very uncomfortable because the wave enters the bay. Anchored as far north as possible from the bay in 2 m of water.
The North Pass is well mapped
Extraordinarily fine sand, splendid colors, a lagoon and a mangrove that are a must-visit. The hotel complex is not disturbing and very discreet. We tried the Sunset restaurant in the mangrove meh!! A salad as a starter, a plate with a little rice and coleslaw with half an overcooked and frozen lobster tail for $50 plus 15% service even though there is none!!! The plate is very expensive...

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Anchorage Review for Strachan Cay

Reviewed by: Rey Stephane on Apr 26, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.0'

North East wind 15/20 kn good protection a little swell comes in but very bearable, to spend a night. Very good sand, don't hesitate to approach the small beach there is some depth

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Anchorage Review for Rat Cay West

Reviewed by: Rey Stephane on Apr 22, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.0'

Superb anchorage on a sandy bottom of excellent hold between 2 and 4 m. Very good protection from East to South. The access channel from the south does not pose any problems
A pretty beach and towards the south of the anchorage is indicated on Navionics two wrecks of small trucks at a depth of 3 m, lots of fish live there, nice!! Another against the island to the east in front of the beach.
Be careful we had very small jellyfish called "thimbles" because they are not bigger than that!! They cling to your clothes so be careful

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Anchorage Review for Williams Cay

Reviewed by: Rey Stephane on Apr 22, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.0'

Incredible and spectacular anchorage!!! A huge space between 1.8 and 2.2 m on excellent sand. Very good protection of the eastern sectors and the sea. The main beach is occupied by 2 dogs who swim very well and the other beaches are very quiet.
Crystal clear water and a magnificent environment ?

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Anchorage Review for Bitter Guana Cay North

Reviewed by: Rey Stephane on Apr 20, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.0'

Extra anchorage!!! Large expanse of sand with a depth of 2/4 meters in front of a pretty beach with a small white cliff and pink Bahamian iguanas!
Very sheltered from the east wind and the sea.
Do not follow the Navionics chart to enter this anchorage, it is very wrong, look at the Explorer Charts which are perfect. Very calm, crystal clear water, a marvel ?

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Anchorage Review for Norman's Cay - McDuffs

Reviewed by: Rey Stephane on Apr 19, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.0'

We anchor in front of a very large, splendid beach on which we can disembark for a walk!! On a sandy bottom approximately 2 m deep. No current and very well protected from the North East and East, crystal clear waters.
Go with your dinghy to see the plane wreck and visit the marina. The plane is only visible at low tide, so spot it well before going there, it's very nice to see it resting at a depth of 3 m and go there at slack water.

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Anchorage Review for Shroud Cay Moorings (FREE)

Reviewed by: Rey Stephane on Apr 18, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.0'

Another magical island!!!
The anchorage is excellent by NE and E, this area is deeper than the anchorage further north. Use Explorer maps which are just unlike Navionics.
The must is to go with the annex to do the "river dinghy" a little before high tide to benefit from the rising current, you enter through the middle of the island and you exit to the north, go see the sea on the side is, it's absolutely magnificent.
In the south, lots of things to do too

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