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Seaports & Harbours · North America

Ports & Harbours of the Caribbean Sea

YearMaps maps 158 harbours on the Caribbean Sea, in 28 countries and territories. The largest by the World Port Index's harbour size are Puerto la Cruz, Cienfuegos, Antilla, Bahai de la Habana, Puerto Guantanamo and Bahia de Sagua de Tanamo. 2 are written up in full below, and every harbour is listed with its depths, tidal range and the largest ships it takes.

The Caribbean Sea lies between the arc of the Greater and Lesser Antilles and the coasts of Central and South America. It was the first sea of European colonisation in the Americas after 1492; its ports shipped sugar and silver and received the ships of the transatlantic slave trade, and pirates and navies fought over them. Today the shipping lanes to the Panama Canal cross it. The harbours of the Bahamas, Bermuda and the Atlantic coast of Cuba are listed here as well.

Harbours
158
Countries
28
Most: Venezuela (27)
Large Harbours
6
14 medium
Written Up
2
With encyclopedia text

Map of the Ports of the Caribbean Sea

2.0

Blue dots are the harbours of the World Port Index; tap or click one to open its entry. Use the layer panel to add trade routes, rivers and historical borders.

Harbours of the Caribbean Sea in Detail

The 2 harbours of the Caribbean Sea with an encyclopedia article, each with its figures from the World Port Index.

Charlotte Amalie
Image via Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on the file page).

Charlotte Amalie

Small harbour · United States Virgin Islands

Charlotte Amalie Harbor is a major maritime hub located in the subdistrict of Charlotte Amalie, the modern day capital of the U.S. Virgin Islands, on the southern coast of St. Thomas. Renowned for its deep-water anchorage and strategic location in the Caribbean, the harbor plays a crucial role in regional tourism, trade, and transportation and military strategy. The harbor is the deepest natural harbor connected to the Anegada Passage (7,550 feet [2,300m]) and the Virgin Islands Basin (area between St. Thomas-St. John and St. Croix districts). The Anegada Passage and Virgin Islands Basin form the deepest channel leading into the Caribbean Basin from the Atlantic Ocean. Because the Charlotte Amalie harbor is the deepest natural connected to this channel, it made Charlotte Amalie a natural choice as a maritime hub and free port. As a free port, Charlotte Amalie has long served as a center for commerce, allowing duty-free trade that attracts businesses and visitors alike.

Adapted from Wikipedia: Charlotte Amalie Harbor (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Harbour size
Small
Channel depth
38.4 m
Anchorage depth
49.4 m
Cargo pier depth
42.1 m
Oil terminal depth
53 m
Largest vessel
large vessels
Country
United States Virgin Islands
Province
Virgin Islands
Coordinates
18.3500°, -64.9300°

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More about Charlotte Amalie

History

Charlotte Amalie Harbor has been a key maritime hub since the 17th century, initially serving as an essential trading hub for European colonial powers. Under Danish rule, Charlotte Amalie grew into a thriving port, benefiting from its natural harbor and tax-free trading status. The harbor was used to ship stored goods such as sugar, molasses, rum, cotton, and other exports from the island's plantations prior to exporting from warehouses along Main Street (Dronningens Gade) and in the historic downtown area. These goods were shipped out of the harbor to Europe and North America. The harbor was also used to supply the same warehouses with imported items such as European textiles, ceramics, and household goods, as well as enslaved people from Africa for sale in the colony and the region.

Facilities

West Indian Company Dock (WICO): Located in Charlotte Amalie East, this dock can accommodate up to three large cruise ships simultaneously. It is adjacent to Havensight Mall, a major shopping area catering to cruise passengers.

Crown Bay Cruise Port: Situated west of downtown in Charlotte Amalie West, this facility is capable of handling larger vessels, including those unable to dock at WICO. The port area includes retail outlets, restaurants, and passenger services.

Wilmoth Blyden Marine Terminal: Serving as a key ferry terminal, this facility provides connections between St. Thomas, St. Croix, and the British Virgin Islands. Located on the Charlotte Amalie waterfront, it accommodates both public and private ferry operators.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Charlotte Amalie Harbor (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Cabo Rojo

Very Small harbour · Dominican Republic

Port of Cabo Rojo or Cabo Rojo Port is a port located in Cabo Rojo, Dominican Republic province of Pedernales. It has two installations for Grapnel export.

This terminal is operated by Colombian company Cementos Andino (Andino Concrete), which handles export of clinker, limestone, bauxite, and concrete.

Adapted from Wikipedia: Port of Cabo Rojo (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Harbour size
Very Small
Channel depth
38.4 m
Anchorage depth
49.4 m
Cargo pier depth
38.4 m
Tidal range
1 m
Largest vessel
large vessels
Country
Dominican Republic
Coordinates
17.9200°, -71.6500°

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All Harbours of the Caribbean Sea

158 harbours, the largest first by the index's harbour size. Channel depth and tidal range set the physical limit on which ships can call. 53 of them are recorded in the source with the city they serve.

Harbours of the Caribbean Sea
HarbourCountrySizeMap
Puerto la CruzVenezuelaMajor
CienfuegosCubaMajor
AntillaCubaMajor
Bahai de la Habanaserves HavanaCubaMajor
Puerto GuantanamoCubaMajor
Bahia de Sagua de TanamoCubaMajor
CabanasCubaMedium
CasildaCubaMedium
Road HarborBritish Virgin IslandsMedium
BarranquillaColombiaMedium
Ensenada HondaPuerto RicoMedium
Ireland Islandserves HamiltonBermudaMedium
Santiago de CubaCubaMedium
Andres (Andres Lng Terminal)Dominican RepublicMedium
MaracaiboVenezuelaMedium
Playa de GuayanillaPuerto RicoMedium
Puerto CabelloVenezuelaMedium
St Johnsserves Saint John'sAntigua and BarbudaMedium
Pointe A Pitreserves Pointe-à-PitreFranceMedium
Port Au Princeserves Port-au-PrinceHaitiMedium
BluefieldsNicaraguaSmall
Cruz BayUnited States Virgin IslandsSmall
CardenasCubaSmall
FeltonCubaSmall
Isabela de SaguaCubaSmall
ArroyoPuerto RicoSmall
Mayaguezserves MayagüezPuerto RicoSmall
OranjestadNetherlandsSmall
Port AntonioJamaicaSmall
Puerto PadreCubaSmall
San Pedro de Macorisserves San Pedro de MacorísDominican RepublicSmall
St George'SBermudaSmall
Charlotte AmalieUnited States Virgin IslandsSmall
Las CalderasDominican RepublicSmall
MamonalColombiaSmall
MarielCubaSmall
Montego BayJamaicaSmall
Playa de GuanicaPuerto RicoSmall
Puerto BolivarColombiaSmall
Puerto de HainaDominican RepublicSmall
Puerto OrdazVenezuelaSmall
Puerto PlataDominican RepublicSmall
Santa Barbara de Samanaserves SamanáDominican RepublicSmall
Santa Cruz de Barahonaserves BarahonaDominican RepublicSmall
Santo Thomas de Castillaserves Puerto BarriosGuatemalaSmall
Cayo Moa GrandeCubaSmall
FrederikstedUnited States Virgin IslandsSmall
GuantaVenezuelaSmall
Puerto MirandaVenezuelaSmall
Bahia de PertigaleteVenezuelaSmall
BridgetownBarbadosSmall
el Bosqueserves CartagenaColombiaSmall
GuayabalCubaSmall
la Salinaserves CabimasVenezuelaSmall
Point Lisas Industrial PortTrinidad and TobagoSmall
Point Lisas PortTrinidad and TobagoSmall
Sint Nicolaas BaaiArubaSmall
CaracasbaaiCuracaoSmall
FreeportBahamasSmall
MatanzasCubaSmall
NicaroCubaSmall
Puerto CortesHondurasSmall
ManatiCubaSmall
PhillipsburgSint MaartenSmall
CovenasColombiaSmall
Galeota Point TerminalTrinidad and TobagoSmall
Santa MartaColombiaSmall
Coles Bay Oil TerminalSint MaartenSmall
Las Piedrasserves Punto FijoVenezuelaSmall
Pozos ColoradosColombiaSmall
Puerto de HierroVenezuelaSmall
Puerto ProdecoColombiaSmall
Punta CardonVenezuelaSmall
Punta Nizao Oil TerminalDominican RepublicSmall
Bahia de JobosPuerto RicoVery Small
Cayman BracCayman IslandsVery Small
Cockburn HarborTurks and Caicos IslandsVery Small
Matthew TownBahamasVery Small
Bahia de FajardoPuerto RicoVery Small
GuiriaVenezuelaVery Small
la CeibaHondurasVery Small
Nueva GeronaCubaVery Small
Puerto BotadoDominican RepublicVery Small
Baie du MarigotFranceVery Small
Catia la Marserves MaiquetíaVenezuelaVery Small
JacmelHaitiVery Small
LuceaJamaicaVery Small
Tunas de ZazaCubaVery Small
Bocas del ToroPanamaVery Small
Carupanoserves CarúpanoVenezuelaVery Small
Chiriqui GrandePanamaVery Small
JucaroCubaVery Small
la RomanaDominican RepublicVery Small
AlmirantePanamaVery Small
Cabo RojoDominican RepublicVery Small
CaripitoVenezuelaVery Small
Ceiba HuecaCubaVery Small
Las MareasPuerto RicoVery Small
ManzanilloCubaVery Small
Media LunaCubaVery Small
Pepillo SalcedoDominican RepublicVery Small
Puerto BorburataVenezuelaVery Small
Puerto CabezasNicaraguaVery Small
Puerto ChichirivicheVenezuelaVery Small
Puerto EsteHondurasVery Small
Puerto Viejo de Azuaserves AzuaDominican RepublicVery Small
ScarboroughTrinidad and TobagoVery Small
Anse Tembladoraserves Port-of-SpainTrinidad and TobagoVery Small
Clifton PierBahamasVery Small
el TabiazoVenezuelaVery Small
GustaviaGuadeloupeVery Small
Playa de HumacaoPuerto RicoVery Small
Port EsquivelJamaicaVery Small
Rocky PointJamaicaVery Small
San LorenzoVenezuelaVery Small
VenterminalsVenezuelaVery Small
Vieux FortSaint LuciaVery Small
Bajo GrandeVenezuelaVery Small
BrightonTrinidad and TobagoVery Small
CharlestownSaint Kitts and NevisVery Small
FalmouthJamaicaVery Small
KralendijkNetherlandsVery Small
MiragoaneHaitiVery Small
Point FortinTrinidad and TobagoVery Small
Puerto CastillaHondurasVery Small
Punta de PalmasVenezuelaVery Small
San Miguel de Cozumelserves CozumelMexicoVery Small
SanchezDominican RepublicVery Small
TrujilloHondurasVery Small
TurboColombiaVery Small
Ocho RiosJamaicaVery Small
Puerto YabucoaPuerto RicoVery Small
Savannah la MarJamaicaVery Small
Cap Haitienserves Cap-HaïtienHaitiVery Small
Jose TerminalVenezuelaVery Small
AguadillaPuerto RicoVery Small
Coxen Holeserves RoatánHondurasVery Small
Petit GoaveHaitiVery Small
BasseterreSaint Kitts and NevisVery Small
el GuamacheVenezuelaVery Small
Covenas Offshore TermColombiaVery Small
Cumana (Puerto Sucre)serves CumanáVenezuelaVery Small
Goto Oil TerminalCuracaoVery Small
Rio BuenoJamaicaVery Small
RoseauDominicaVery Small
SalinaNetherlandsVery Small
South Riding PointBahamasVery Small
Basse Terreserves Basse-terreFranceVery Small
ChaguaramasTrinidad and TobagoVery Small
Cockburn TownBahamasVery Small
Georgetownserves George TownCayman IslandsVery Small
Paluaserves Ciudad GuayanaVenezuelaVery Small
Port KaiserJamaicaVery Small
Port LouisGuadeloupeVery Small
PortsmouthDominicaVery Small
Puerto CumareboVenezuelaVery Small
Sint Michelsbaaiserves WillemstadCuracaoVery Small
TelaHondurasVery Small

Port Cities of the Caribbean Sea

The most populous cities with a harbour of the Caribbean Sea within 25 km. Each city is listed with its country's other cities on the country page.

Countries with Harbours on the Caribbean Sea

More Seas and Coasts

See every sea, grouped from North America to Oceania & Antarctica, on the world ports index, or the voyages that crossed these waters on the famous sea voyages map.

Caribbean Sea: Quick Answers

How many ports are there on the Caribbean Sea?
YearMaps lists 158 ports and harbours on the Caribbean Sea, from the World Port Index of the US National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. Small fishing harbours and private terminals outside the index are not counted.
Which countries have ports on the Caribbean Sea?
Venezuela (27), Cuba (24), Dominican Republic (14), Puerto Rico (11), Colombia (10), Jamaica (10), Trinidad and Tobago (8), Honduras (7), Bahamas (5), Haiti (5), Curacao (3), France (3), Netherlands (3), Panama (3), United States Virgin Islands (3), Bermuda (2), Cayman Islands (2), Dominica (2), Guadeloupe (2), Nicaragua (2), Saint Kitts and Nevis (2), Antigua and Barbuda (1), Aruba (1), Barbados (1), Guatemala (1), Mexico (1), Saint Lucia (1) and Turks and Caicos Islands (1).
What are the largest ports on the Caribbean Sea?
By the World Port Index's harbour size, the largest are Puerto la Cruz, Cienfuegos, Antilla, Bahai de la Habana, Puerto Guantanamo and Bahia de Sagua de Tanamo.
What are the main port cities on the Caribbean Sea?
The most populous cities with a harbour here are Caracas (2.98 million), Havana (2.17 million), Santo Domingo (2.15 million), Maracaibo (2.07 million) and Port-au-Prince (2.00 million).