About Haiti

Haiti is a new and exciting destination for yachting adventurers - located on the western part of Hispaniola and separated from the Dominican Republic by a 224 mile land border to form a very large twin state island (historically known as Hispaniola). In fact, Haiti is the third largest country in the Caribbean behind Cuba and the Dominican Republic. Haiti is also only about 45 nautical miles away from the east coast of Cuba at its closest point. Air links into Haiti are facilitated by two main International Airports at Port Au Prince (the Capital) on the west coast and Cap Haitien on the north coast.

First discovered by Columbus in 1492 (and named La Espanola), Haiti is a beautiful tropical destination, with lovely cruising possibilities along its coastlines. Inland, it is also a very pretty country and is the most mountainous nation in the Caribbean with its highest point being Pic la Selle, (8,793 ft).

Historical fighting between France and Spain in the 17^th century led to the annexing of the western portion of Hispaniola, which was ceded to France by the Spaniards - to become known as “Saint-Domingue” and to become infamous as an extremely lucrative plantation slavery economy.

During the French Revolution (1789-1799), however, the Haitian Revolution (1791-1804), culminated in Independence for the nation and the abolition of slavery. Afterward the sovereign Republic of Haiti was established on 1 January 1804 – to become the first independent nation of Latin America and the Caribbean, the second Republic in the Americas… and the only nation in the world to have been established as a result of a successful slave revolt.

Whilst not possessing any significant marinas, Haiti is blessed with various offshore islands including the island of Tortuga (Île de la Tortue) on the north coast, the Isle de La Gonave on the west coast and the Île à Vache (Cow Island) located off the tip of southwestern Haiti.

As a result, there are lots of excellent cruising itineraries for the yacht throughout Haiti’s coastlines with good logistical gateways into Cuba and triangulated home porting support for the yacht available nearby in neighbouring Dominican Republic and also on the north coast of Jamaica at Errol Flynn Marina.

It is essential to seek logistical and agency support for the yacht when planning an itinerary for a Haiti trip and we have been recommended to Roger Dazulme at Darostars Customs and Maritime Agency services, for professional support (see ‘Yacht Services’ section).