Havana is about 90 nautical miles from Key West by water, roughly 104 statute miles or 167 kilometers across the Florida Straits. A realistic on-the-water routing runs closer to 95 nautical miles once you account for the ferry angle against the current. In a fast center console it is a single open day; the catch is not the distance, it is the Gulf Stream and the legal and entry requirements. Travel to Cuba carries rules you must confirm before you ever plan the crossing.
Key West to Havana distance
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Straight-line distance | 90 nautical miles |
| Statute miles | 104 miles |
| Kilometers | 167 km |
| Typical on-the-water routing | about 95 nautical miles |
The run leaves Key West Harbor and crosses the Florida Straits, a Gulf Stream branch with a strong east set, before raising the Havana approach and Marina Hemingway. The straight-line number is 90 nautical miles, but you will steer a ferry angle to offset the current, which is why the on-the-water routing comes out a few miles longer.
How long does it take, and how much fuel, by boat type
These are real numbers from the same engine that powers our boat fuel calculator, run over the 90 nautical mile distance at a steady cruise. They assume one continuous run, so treat them as the underway total for the whole crossing, not a single sitting. Plug in your own boat in the calculator below to get your exact figure.
| Boat | Cruise | GPH | MPG | Trip time | Fuel | Fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 ft center console (twin 150s) | 28 mph | 17.2 | 1.6 | 3 hr 42 min | 64 gal | $287 |
| 38 ft express cruiser (twin gas) | 26 mph | 43.0 | 0.6 | 3 hr 59 min | 171 gal | $771 |
| 50 ft trawler (single diesel) | 10 mph | 21.7 | 0.5 | 10 hr 21 min | 224 gal | $1,010 |
Fuel cost assumes $4.50 per gallon. The center console figure is for one way: a round trip burns roughly 130 gallons, so a 120 gallon tank means refueling in Havana before you head home. Do not just scale from the table: run your own hull, load, and cruise speed.
Estimate the fuel for your own boat
The calculator below is pre-loaded with the Key West to Havana run. Change the engine, horsepower, load, cruise speed, and tank to match your boat and it recomputes the fuel, range, and time instantly.
Best season and weather for the run
Best window: spring and fall, between fronts, when the Straits lay down and the wind has no north in it.
The crossing traverses the Florida Straits, a Gulf Stream branch with a strong east set, so the weather rule mirrors the Bahamas crossing: no norther. A north wind against the current stacks a short, steep sea. Travel to Cuba also carries legal and entry requirements, so confirm those before you plan anything on the water.
Route notes
- Key West Harbor (0 nm): departure. Clear US and Cuban entry requirements first; this is a legal checklist, not just a navigation one.
- Florida Straits axis (about 45 nm): the strongest east set. Plan a ferry angle to hold your course over ground.
- Havana approach (90 nm): hail Marina Hemingway on VHF 16 or 72 and follow their entry directions.
Gear to sort before you go
- A fuel system you trust and a real reserve calculation for the round trip across open Straits: clean filters, a known tank gauge, and a refuel plan in Havana.
- Ground tackle sized for the open approaches and any marina anchorage you might use.
- A hull and gelcoat in good repair before a long offshore crossing; fix the soft spots and chips at the dock, not in the middle of the Straits.
Need to get the boat run-ready first? See our fuel tanks and systems and marine gelcoats for the repair and maintenance supplies that keep an offshore crossing uneventful.
Plan the rest of your trip
Key West to Cuba: frequently asked questions
How far is Havana, Cuba from Key West, FL?
Havana, Cuba is about 90 nautical miles from Key West, FL, which is roughly 104 statute miles or 167 kilometers in a straight line. A typical on-the-water routing runs about 95 nautical miles.
How long does it take to get from Key West, FL to Havana, Cuba by boat?
A 24 ft center console (twin 150s) cruising at about 28 mph covers the 90 nautical mile run in roughly 3 hours 42 minutes. A slower trawler takes much longer, and a fast express cruiser a little less. Use the fuel calculator on this page to plug in your own boat.
How much fuel does the Key West, FL to Havana, Cuba trip use?
The 24 ft center console (twin 150s) burns about 64 gallons on the 90 nautical mile run at roughly 17.2 gallons per hour and 1.6 miles per gallon. Your number depends on horsepower, load, and cruise speed, so run your own boat through the calculator below.
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