| The choice of yacht charter in Cuba is | | | | society, the settlers began to take in slaves |
| diverse and includes bareboat yacht charter, | | | | from the African continent to work the |
| skippered yacht charter, luxury crewed yacht | | | | plantations. Cuba was a Spanish possession |
| charter, monohull and catamaran charter and | | | | for 388 years, having an economy based on |
| both sail and motor yacht charter. | | | | plantation agriculture and the export of |
| | | | sugar, coffee and tobacco to Europe and later |
| In addition to Cuba, the principal island, | | | | to North America. |
| there are a further four main groups of | | | | |
| islands. These are the Colorados, the | | | | The British seized Cuba in 1762, but it was |
| Camagüey, the Jardines de la Reina and the | | | | restored to Spain the following year. In the |
| Canarreos. | | | | 1820s, when the other parts of Spainxs Latin |
| | | | America Empire in rebelled and formed |
| The islands combine a mix of colonial history | | | | independent states, Cuba remained loyal. |
| with Latin American, Spanish and African | | | | |
| influences. Cuba is well known for its white | | | | Following the blowing up of the American |
| sandy beaches lined with coconut palms and | | | | warship US Maine in Havana harbour the |
| waters that are home to five hundred species | | | | Spanish-American War ensued, in which US |
| of fish and fifty different coral types. | | | | forces landed in Cuba in June 1898 and |
| | | | quickly overcame Spanish resistance. A peace |
| Cuba and the surrounding islands have a sub | | | | treaty was signed and Spain agreed to |
| tropical climate that is influenced by | | | | withdraw from Cuba. The USA then placed Cuba |
| northeast trade winds. The island lies at the | | | | under a 20-year US treaty. This was cut short |
| rim of the tropics November to April tend to | | | | and Cuba gained formal independence on 20 May |
| be cooler and drier than May to October which | | | | 1902. |
| are warmer and more humid. Although July and | | | | |
| August are dry and can be very hot. Winds to | | | | More recently in 1956 a party of rebels, |
| the north of Cuba can be quite strong while | | | | including Fidel Castro, landed in a boat from |
| the south coast benefit from the steady and | | | | Mexico and tried to start an armed resistance |
| reliable trade winds. In the islands of the | | | | movement in Cuba. This attempt failed but in |
| Canarreos and Jardines de La Reina winds | | | | on January 1st 1959 Castroxs rebel forces |
| generally blow from an east to northeasterly | | | | entered the capital and one month later he |
| direction. During the winter months winds | | | | was elected Prime Minister a position he |
| blow on average between 15 - 25 knots and 5 - | | | | occupied for over 40 years. |
| 10 knots in summer, when calm periods are | | | | |
| also possible. Hurricanes are possible in | | | | The south coast of Cuba is popular for yacht |
| this area and are most likely to occur in | | | | charter and includes the Canarreos |
| September and October. | | | | Archipelago and the Juventud Islands or |
| | | | Jardines de la Reina Archipelago |
| The main airport of Cuba is Havana | | | | |
| International. There are daily flights from | | | | Cienfuegos is one of Cubaxs largest and most |
| many European cities, Mexico, Canada and | | | | prospering cities and has a commercial |
| Jamaica. At the time of writing there are no | | | | harbour with a tourist marina very close to |
| direct flights from the USA. The official | | | | the French-style centre. Cienfuegos is great |
| language of Cuba is Spanish but English, | | | | for shopping, eating or just soaking up the |
| German and French are also spoken. US Dollars | | | | culture of Cuba. |
| are accepted widely and major credit cards | | | | |
| may be accepted in hotels, restaurants and | | | | Trinidad, located halfway along the south |
| some shops. | | | | coast of Cuba, is perhaps the best-preserved |
| | | | city of Cuba. The marina is 15 minutes from |
| Christopher Columbus sighted the island of | | | | the city centre, which is a ranked World |
| Cuba during his first voyage of discovery on | | | | Heritage Site by the UNESCO. A visit is a |
| 28 October 1492 and claimed it for Spain. | | | | must for during a yacht charter in Cuba |
| Previously Amerindian peoples known as the | | | | |
| TaÃno and Ciboney whose ancestors had come | | | | Diving: The coral reefs and cays off the |
| from South America several centuries before | | | | Cuban coast are among the most breathtaking |
| had inhabited the island. | | | | snorkelling and diving destinations of the |
| | | | world. Whale Sharks can be seen off the |
| The Spanish enslaved the some 100,000 | | | | coasts of Cuba during the summer. |
| indigenous people that opposed conversion to | | | | |
| Christianity on the island. In less than a | | | | Fishing: May to September provide good |
| century these people had all but been wiped | | | | fishing opportunities for game fish including |
| out. With the destruction of the aboriginal | | | | Marlin, Tarpon and Bone Fish. |