Casilda (Trinidad) - General Info
Description:
This small port lies about 30NM southeast of Cienfuegos on the southern coast of Cuba. It is NOT a port of entry.
Casilda is the commercial/fishing port for the town of Trinidad
The port is off limits for cruisers, however, the marina here offers reasonable berthing for yachts with a draft of less than 1.7m (5.5 ft), and it is a convenient place to stop in order to visit Trinidad.
Note: There is still no fuel dock here (November 2016).
Position:
21° 44’09″W, 79° 58’23″W (entrance to the bay)
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Posted by Hugos elsewhere on noonsite:
Marina Trinidad docking charges have not changed since 2014 [unlike Marina Hemingway]. The front part of the floating dock was torn off by a storm. Still no fuel dock.
From Cheryl Barr’s 2016 Expedition to Cuba (www.cruisingincuba.com)
What frustrated me the most this time was the ineptitude of the Guarda Frontera. In the past, the Guarda official, at any given location, could be counted on to show up quite promptly for signing boats in and were even more prompt at the time of check out. This year at Trinidad/Casilda, for example, we waited in the marina compound for hours. The marina security guard would not allow us to leave the compound without having checked in. In the end, we gave up hopes of going into Trinidad that day and went back to the boat leaving the captain ashore for the eventual arrival of the official.
Part of the problem is that there is no longer a dockmaster or Guarda Frontera on-site at Marina Trinidad. Departing the following day was no better. In the end (after waiting 3 hours) we decided to take the dinghy directly to the Guarda Frontera station at Casilda–this is a total break with protocol but there was little we could do as time was pressing on to make the next anchorage before dark. At the Guarda station, there were at least 8 officials milling around (with a jeep) but none of them could find the time or had the inclination to drive 15 minutes to the marina to complete the mandatory check out procedure. We were not the only boat that required checking in/out.
SV TATA – (length 41ft,4.3ft draft) – April 2014
Marina Trinidad, Cuba – update
The new cruising guide to CUBA by Cheryl Barr (2013) has the following information about the Marina Trinidad in Cuba. Part of that info is incorrect and the correct info follows [in italic].
“…. there are 20 slips but only 6 are available to transient yachts – charter catamarans occupy all remaining space”. —– There are no charter catamarans or charter companies. During our 7 days in March and 3 days in April 2014, there were always free slips [mostly 6-7, on 2 days 13 free slips] and the anchorage in the lagoon was empty, except for one vessel on 2 days.
“Vessels no longer than 12.8m (42 ft) can take a mooring inside the lagoon for $22 CUC/day. …. The price for the mooring or for dockage is the same.” — Since at least 2008 until now: the prices have not changed and are as follows: DOCKAGE: monohull: 0.45 CUC/ft/day; catamaran: 0.55 CUC/ft/day; water/day of use: 3 CUC [good water] ; Electricity: 1.50 CUC/day; Anchoring: 10 CUC /day. There are only 3, over 10 year old, moorings [not to be trusted].
“The marina has a fuel dock with diesel and gas” — no fuel dock in 2014 – planned for next years….
“The marina is nearly 16km … from Trinidad. Taxi fare will cost about $15CUC one-way, but this can be negotiated a little.” —- Official taxi costs 8 CUC, particular (private) 5-6CUC. — TIP: the workers’ bus leaves the marina at about 8 am and costs 1CUC/person.
“ To access the marina maintain a position in the ship channel as far buoy No.17……” — A shorter route is to stay in the ship channel until beacon No. 25 and continue with 300T to an approximate position of 21 44.63N, 79 59.56W. Then head with about 240T over the shallower water [on the chart less than 2m, but more than 1.7m]. Once across the shallower water head with about 133T to the entrance red beacon No.2, leave about 10m to port.
Around that beacon, it’s the most shallow [about 1.7m]. Then do not head straight for the next green buoy but on a course about 10 degrees more to starboard [head for highest bush in the mangroves] and then curve around to the green mark and leave about 5m to port. [I have made this entrance this way over 10 times].
“Casilda is the commercial/fishing port for Trinidad. It is a scruffy, uninteresting place and most cruisers feel that it is a logistical hassle going to the marina in order to visit Trinidad. For this reason, we recommend visiting Trinidad by car from Cienfuegos.” — Here’s my opinion: Casilda port is off limits for cruisers, hence it does not matter if it’s scruffy.
There is no hassle to go to the marina – except with a draft of more than 1.7m (5.5 ft). There are 2 floating docks in the marina [the western one is newer and has better electricity and water connections]. The lagoon is well protected in all wind directions – in contrast, Cienfuegos has a huge harbour and in a Northwestern (cold front) the concrete docks of the marina are exposed to waves from a big fetch.
I would rather feel safer to leave my boat in marina Trinidad while making a land trip – also it’s easier to get a slip. Furthermore, there are more attractions in and around the colonial city of Trinidad than Cienfuegos. Hence, it’s worth staying in the Marina Trinidad for several days.
ULRICH HOLLAND