The situation in Haiti is unstable, with gang violence paralysing the country. Supplies of fuel, food and water are very limited and cholera is rife, including in Ile a Vache. Cruising there should not be attempted at this time. If you wish to assist in some way, contact Hopefleet/Kingsfleet, who are dealing with aid to Haiti.
See Haiti Formalities for full details on clearing into and out of the country.
Although not yet designated an official port of entry, boats that use Port Morgan can complete clearance formalities here if they wish. In reality, however, most boats that stop here do not clear through Customs and local authorities seem to be accepting of this.
To clear into Haiti while at Ile a Vache, one must go to the mainland at Les Cayes (the 2nd largest city in Haiti). Don't take your own boat here, take the local ferry and a local guide as well. There is a round-trip taxi boat that runs daily (1 hour each way). If cruisers do not want to cross the bay to go to the mainland, they can arrange to pay someone locally to take the passports for them.
See Fees for details of clearance costs.
There are locals who can assist yachts with clearance and other services. See Related Businesses below.
Cholera is now a problem on Ile a Vache. If you are heading to Cuba after Haiti and declare you have been to Haiti the Cubans will have you on Cholera watch (all crew temperatures to be taken every four hours and logged until the Sanitary Department say you are clear).
Last updated: December 2023
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Ile a Vache
The approach to Isle a Vache is totally encumbered with fishing floats which are plastic bottles, very difficult to see sometimes, and even though we were being really careful we picked one up both entering and leaving. We were charged a one-time fee of $5US for anchoring by the local council and given an official receipt.
As we were only there for a couple of days we did not have time to go to Les Cayes to clear. Labour is very cheap and there were many offers to clean stainless steel, polish etc. Children come out in dug-out canoes wanting biscuits etc and if you give to just one you will be constantly pestered. Better to donate by taking things ashore and refusing any handouts to visiting canoes.
There are many boats still trading and fishing under sail – their seamanship is superb and they are a wonderful sight. Old sails are a very welcome gift as they recut them for their boats.
Roger Morgan and Sue Lister
SV Wapiti April 2015
Lovely visit. We used Jasmine and McKinley to bring diesel from the main island. I would recommend them. I would also advise against young boys contracting for diesel as carrying substantial cash into the city and it is not fair to young lads from a safety perspective.
You pay the water taxi, moto bike, and cargo surcharge on the water taxi and if you have any heart at all their lunch. Always Set a price before they go, so you avoid disagreements later. None of the boat boys wanted to specify a price but will if you insist. Washing water can be canned over by any of the boat boys.
We had 11 yo Clevins whose English was good as a guide — charming young fellow. Felix is building a small hostel/hotel and his girl did us a lovely fish dinner at a reasonable price. The very nice guy look out for his coming soon dive Center. Mary Ann II
Now there is also Internet in der Baye on the west side. There is a little museum about captain Morgan and there Jean has installed internet. He also has a compressor to give you electric to your laptop. The internet is fast and it cost only 1 US $ an hour. He also offers other services (eating and so on). He is very friendly and helpful, he speaks French, English and Spanish.
In the hotel, I did not find any help!
There is a home for children in Madame Bernard, the “chief” is Flora. There are living very strong handicapped children and we gave them some help. (More information at sy-elessar.com is “Logbuch”)
Ile A Vache, Haiti
We also had a wonderful week there. What noonsite says about what they need is right on about the local people. But what they say about the “marina” there is incorrect. Don’t expect ANYTHING from them. There is no dock or moorings. There is no help from them of any kind. They did have diesel because I had emailed them several times asking about it.
It was on the dock in 55-gallon drums and was so old and smelly I almost didn’t get it. If I hadn’t been headed west toward Honduras I would have passed. As it was, it clogged my filters twice even though I ran it twice through a Baha filter before putting it in my tanks.
The marina claims to have internet but unless you want to pay a HUGE price for a mediocre dinner they won’t give you the code. They have NOTHING to offer cruisers.
The local people are wonderful and will help all they can but don’t really have anything to offer beyond a few fruits and nuts. Don’t buy any seafood from them. First of all, it’s the bottom of the barrel and you may literally be taking food out of the mouths of their families.
But if you need some easy task like cleaning or waxing done on your boat, definitely hire a local. We left our boat with our 2 dogs aboard in the care of one of the boys while we went with another boy to the island market. We felt very safe and everything was fine when we returned.
Don’t miss the market! There was nothing we felt like buying there for ourselves, but we bought a pair of shoes for our guide and it was the most interesting experience. Take your dinghy to the market instead of walking unless you’re young and ready for a real hike.
All that being said. If you are anywhere near Ile A Vache, don’t miss it! Just don’t expect anything from the joke of a marina.
Ile A Vache, Haiti.
We had a wonderful week there. The boat boys were very helpful, wanting to work for their money, not wanting handouts. We had at least 12 boys on the boat washing, polishing and cleaning. For the few dollars and the meals, it cost us was worth every cent.
We felt totally safe and never felt threatened at all. I personally feel there is no need for a marina or moorings there, it would just ruin the feel of the place. The only people to get rich out of this venture would be the owners.
Wendy Shields
SV Outsider Australia