A week on Cuba's south coast: Cayo Largo, the Canarreos and Trinidad
Cuba's south coast is one of the emptiest cruising grounds in the Caribbean: the Canarreos archipelago is hundreds of coral cays with white sand, where you can go a whole day without seeing another yacht. The route runs west from colonial Cienfuegos to Cayo Largo, the archipelago's only resort island with a marina, and comes back via the Cayo Guano lighthouse and Trinidad; both towns are UNESCO sites. About 205 nm: charter yachts may not sail at night in Cuba, so the long legs start at dawn. Before planning, read the practical notes at the end of the page: in 2026 the island is in a severe fuel crisis.
Day by day
Marina Marlin (Cienfuegos)
- Marina Marlin Cienfuegos22.126, -80.452
Take over the yacht after 17:00 at Marina Marlin Cienfuegos on the Punta Gorda peninsula; the first night is spent in the marina, as you may not leave after dark. Spend the evening in the historic centre of Cienfuegos, a UNESCO site. Order food, water and wine for the whole trip through the base in advance: there are no shops on the cays, and what the town has depends on deliveries.
Cienfuegos → Cayo Sal
- Castillo de Jagua22.060, -80.457
- Cayo Sal21.627, -81.180
Leave at dawn as soon as the border guard has stamped the despacho: half an hour down the bay past the 18th-century Jagua fortress and out to sea. All day south-west with the trade wind on the quarter; anchoring off the coast near Cienfuegos is not allowed, and the Bay of Pigs zone is closed. By evening, Cayo Sal, the first anchorage of the Canarreos archipelago behind the reef.
Cayo Sal → Cayo Largo → Cayo Iguana
- Cayo Iguana21.638, -81.567
- Cayo Largo (marina)21.624, -81.564
- Hijos de los Ballenatosmooring buoys21.586, -81.590
In the morning, west along the chain of cays inside the reef, reading the water. Cayo Largo marina is the only place in the archipelago with fuel, water and a small shop; the border guard stamps the despacho here again. After lunch, to neighbouring Cayo Iguana, where big iguanas come down to the shore, and the evening in the marina; the island has a turtle hatchery and the Sirena and Paraíso beaches.
Cayo Largo → Cayo Guano del Este
- Cayo Guano del Este21.660, -81.045
East along the cays against the trade wind — leave early, before the breeze fills in; expect to motor part of the way. Cayo Guano del Este is a lonely cay with a tall lighthouse at the eastern end of the archipelago; you anchor behind the reef with nothing but water around.
Cayo Guano → Trinidad
- Marina Trinidad (Ancón)21.738, -79.996
The hardest day of the week: almost 60 nm east across open water to the Ancón peninsula, again against the trade wind. Weigh anchor at first light — you must be in Marina Trinidad before dark, so most of the way is under engine; if the forecast says more than 20 knots, the passage is postponed. The marina has water but no fuel.
Trinidad
- Marina Trinidad (Ancón)21.738, -79.996
- Casildatown quay21.752, -79.990
A day ashore. A taxi into town, twelve kilometres: the Plaza Mayor, cobbled streets, the palaces of 19th-century sugar barons and live music in the evening. Trinidad and the nearby Valley of the Sugar Mills are a UNESCO site; back on board by evening, as tomorrow is a long leg.
Trinidad → Cienfuegos
- Marina Marlin Cienfuegos22.126, -80.452
Six hours north-west along the Escambray mountains with the trade wind on the quarter — the best sailing day of the week. You must be back in the Cienfuegos marina before dark: fuel and handover. A night aboard in the marina, flight home the next day.
Coordinates are approximate, for the harbour or bay. Paste them into Google Maps or a chartplotter, and check the chart and pilot book before you moor or anchor.
Good to know
- Season: late November to April — dry, with the north-east trade wind at 15–25 knots. From December to March the 'nortes' arrive, cold fronts with a northerly wind: on the south coast it blows off the land, but it builds a sea on the open legs. June to November is the rainy and hurricane season.
- Rules: charter yachts may not sail at night — every leg is planned for daylight, and on the last day you are back in the marina before dark. Before you leave, the border guard (Guarda Frontera) issues a despacho, a permit listing the crew and the route; it is stamped at every marina and may be checked at anchor. Anchoring off the coast near Cienfuegos and inside the bay is not allowed, the Bay of Pigs zone is closed, spearfishing and lobster catching are banned, and bringing in drones or satellite phones is restricted. Charts are inaccurate around the reefs — sail by day and read the water.
- The 2026 crisis: Cuba is in its worst fuel crisis — oil deliveries stopped early in the year, in May the authorities announced that diesel had run out, power cuts last for hours across the island, and flights and buses have been cut. Before booking, make sure with the fleet that the base is operating and can fuel the boat. Fuel and water on the route are available only in Cienfuegos and Cayo Largo, with water only in Trinidad; bring food for the whole week from the base.
- Entry and sanctions: visitors need a tourist visa (tourist card), the online D'Viajeros form and medical insurance; the base handles the yacht's papers. For US citizens, tourism in Cuba is banned under US law — travel is possible only under one of the authorised categories, and dealings with entities on the State Department's Cuba Restricted List are prohibited, so check the marina and hotels against the list. Cards issued by US banks do not work in Cuba — bring cash.
How to get to the marina
- Marina Marlin Cienfuegos, Punta Gorda, Cienfuegos
- Havana (José Martí) (HAV) — 250 km, 3 h by carSanta Clara (Abel Santamaría) (SNU) — 87 km, 1.5 h by carCienfuegos (Jaime González) (CFG) — 10 km, 20 min by car
20–30 min · €10–20 per car
Cienfuegos airport mostly handles seasonal charter flights; if you land here, a taxi from the terminal to Punta Gorda takes about 20 minutes.
1.5–2 h · €70–110 per car
From Santa Clara, a taxi at an agreed price via Ranchuelo, an hour and a half to two hours. Settle the fare before you get in.
3–4 h · €150–250 per car
A pre-booked transfer from Havana airport east along the motorway, about three and a half hours. The roads are unlit at night: if you land in the evening, stay the night in Havana and drive in the morning.
5–7 h · €20–35 per person
A Viazul bus from Havana's bus station (take a taxi there from the airport) to Cienfuegos, four to five hours. In 2026 there are fewer departures, so buy tickets in advance.
In 2026, fuel shortages have cut flights and buses in Cuba and pushed taxi fares up: confirm your transfer in advance and bring cash euros — cards issued by US banks do not work in Cuba.
Prices are autumn 2026 estimates in euros; times are without traffic. Bus and ferry timetables change with the season, so check them before you travel.
How long is the Cienfuegos — Cayo Largo route and where do you stay overnight?
7 days and about 206 nautical miles in a loop, starting and finishing in Cienfuegos. Overnight stops in order: Marina Marlin Cienfuegos, Cayo Sal, Cayo Largo (marina), Cayo Guano del Este, Marina Trinidad (Ancón), Marina Trinidad (Ancón). The longest leg is day 5, 58 nm.
How do I get to the marina for the Cienfuegos — Cayo Largo route?
The route starts and finishes at Marina Marlin Cienfuegos, Punta Gorda, Cienfuegos. The nearest airport is Havana (José Martí) (HAV), 250 km away. Fastest: taxi, 20–30 min, €10–20 per car. Cheapest: bus, 5–7 h, €20–35 per person.
When is the best time to sail the Cienfuegos — Cayo Largo route?
Cuba's season runs November to April: dry, with the north-east trade wind and moderate heat. December to March are the best months. May is the shoulder month; June to November brings rain and the hurricane season, peaking in September and October, when charter companies run few boats and expect you to watch the forecast.
Do I need a licence to charter a yacht?
For a bareboat charter (no skipper or crew provided), yes: a skipper's licence and, as a rule, a VHF radio certificate. Without a licence, we add a skipper, paid separately from the boat price.
What's included in the boat price?
Just the boat, for a week. Usually paid separately: transit log and final cleaning, fuel, marina fees, the security deposit (or deposit insurance), a skipper, cook and hostess if you need them, and extras (SUP board, on-board Wi-Fi, coffee machine, child safety netting).
