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