Cuban charts - electronic & paper

[capnjack.morton]

I expect to be doing some sailing on the south side of Cuba soon. Anyone got information on the best (most accurate and up to date) electronic or paper charts? Extra credit for tips and information about the area of Gardens of the Queen (Jardins de la Reina) and west to & past Cienfuegos. Favorite spots, uncharted hazards, shifting channels etc.

[a64pilot]

As a bump, funny you ask, I was wondering myself where electronic charts could be obtained, I haven't seen any with Cuba at all, although a quick Google found this, I haven't read it myself yet
New Cuba Charts Available in the U.S. | Yachting Magazine

[wrwakefield]

Originally Posted by capnjack.morton

I expect to be doing some sailing on the south side of Cuba soon. Anyone got information on the best (most accurate and up to date) electronic or paper charts? Extra credit for tips and information about the area of Gardens of the Queen (Jardins de la Reina) and west to & past Cienfuegos. Favorite spots, uncharted hazards, shifting channels etc.

Capnjack,

It looks like Chart World may have what you are looking for...

Other resources I would consult [In case you haven't already...] include:

Free Cruising Guides [Here is their Cuba Guide]

Noonsite

SSCA

I look forward to hearing about your trip! Safe travels.

Bill

[avb3]

I'm pretty sure there are very accurate charts for the Guantanamo Bay area.

Whether they are available, that may be a different issue.

[capnjack.morton]

Thanks to those responding so far. Some things I knew; some I didn't. I always forget to check noonsite, and they did have some good information. I already have the Navionics Caribbean for the iphone, (which you can put on a tablet at a larger size, with no more detail - for I think it was $10 when I bought it a few years ago. Includes Cuba. (NB, the edition to put on larger chartplotters costs about a hundred times that, if I'm reading that correctly) I have the free cruising guide, which is helpful, and will be trying to get Cheryl Barr's recent cruising guide, which is reported to come with better sketch charts. Rumor has it that Bluewater Books in Fort Lauderdale will soon have German paper charts of Cuba, said to more up to date than others, tho no mention of them showed up on their website.
Keep those cards & letters coming.

[Wench'sCaptain]

NOAA Charts are free; see Chart: 11013

[sotavento]

Hi, Cuba has some very good paper charts although when I was there some 4 years ago I couldn't get them (out of print??). A Spanish sailor lent them to me for my trip from Cienfuegos to La Habana. They are very good.

[captmikem]

I have older paper charts of Cuba, still pretty good charts.
Santaigo is a big city with a well protected harbor, lots of history, museums etc. (strange, one of the few places where the women will pinch you on the butt on the street) Chivrico is a great and friendly little town, Pilon is full of lobstermen and if you anchor near them, break out some Jonny Walker and invite them over, each morning you will have more lobsters on your deck than you can eat.

The diving and snorkeling on the south coast is truly amazing and unspoiled. Isla de la Juventud has a big military presence that can be a bit unfriendly, again, Jonny Walker is a good diplomat.

If you are west bound, stop at Swan Island, nice place to stop and birdlife is amazing.

Michael

[grae]

NOAA 11013 is actually 'Straits of Florida' and it's quite a large scale, and whilst it does show Cuba it's not much use for in-shore.

[capnjack.morton]

Thanks, again, for good information. Particularly appreciated your suggestions, Capt Mike