Marinas · north coast
Marina Marlin Cayo Guillermo
Northern-cays cruising base off Ciego de Ávila.
In the Jardines del Rey off the north-central coast, this marina serves the resort cays of Cayo Guillermo, Cayo Coco and Cayo Paredón Grande, reached from the mainland by a long stone causeway, the pedraplén, from Ciego de Ávila province. The shallow, reef-protected waters here were a favourite of Hemingway, who set part of Islands in the Stream among these cays.
Cruising grounds
This is gentle, protected cruising over pale sandbanks and coral, with the barrier reef holding off the open Atlantic swell. Playa Pilar on Cayo Guillermo is regularly rated among the finest beaches in Cuba, and the flats draw fly-fishers as well as sailors. Cayo Coco's larger resorts are a short hop east.
Getting there & what’s nearby
The cays are reached by car across the causeway from Morón and Ciego de Ávila, or by air into the small Jardines del Rey airport (CCC). The marina backs onto all-inclusive resorts, so restaurants and reprovisioning are close at hand.
Sailing season & conditions
The Jardines del Rey offer gentle, protected cruising over pale sandbanks, the long barrier reef holding off the Atlantic swell while the shallow water stays warm and clear. The prevailing trades give reliable, usually moderate sailing breezes, best enjoyed outside the storm months. Being low, reef-fringed cays fronted by large resorts rather than sheltered harbours, this coast is fully exposed through the June-to-November hurricane season, so the settled winter-to-spring period is the prime time to explore Guillermo, Coco and Paredón Grande.
Where it is
On Cuba’s north coast at Jardines del Rey.
See Marina Marlin Cayo Guillermo on the map →