South coast of Cuba : starting bases (from West to East)
There are two main bases and two main island groups to explore along the southern shore of Cuba. Your sailing area from the two main bases, Cienfuegos or Trinidad incorporates the Canarreos Archipelago and the Juventud Islands or Jardines de la Reina Archipelago

Cienfuegos : One of Cuba’s largest and most prospering cities, Cienfuegos on the main island has a commercial harbour with a tourist marina very close to the French-style centre. Filled with entertainment and eateries, the city is a hub of activity for shopping or just soaking up the Cuban culture. The city is dubbed the Pearl of the South.

Trinidad : this base is 15 minutes from the colonial style city of Trinidad, located in the centre of the south coast of Cuba. Discover the best-preserved historical city of Cuba, restored to its 16th century apparel. Together with the nearby Valle de los Ingenios, it has been one of UNESCOs World Heritage sites since 1988. A must when in Cuba!

Airport
Havana Jose Marti International Airport (HAV). The airport is situated 11 miles (18km) from Havana. Flights from Europe, Mexico, Canada and Jamaica every day.

Climate
Cuba lies at the rim of the tropics and therefore has only two "seasons". The climate is hot and humid all year round, divided into a dry season (November to April) and a rainy season (May to October). The dry season is the busiest and prices are higher at this time. September to October is hurricane season. Winds are sometimes stronger to the north of the islands and regular and constant trade winds benefit the more sheltered south coast. Strong currents can sometimes be experienced when sailing between coral reefs. In the Canarreos and jardines de La Reina area winds generally blow from an east to northeasterly direction. During the winter months, winds blow on average between 15-25 knots (Force 3-6) and 5 to 10 knots in summer, when calm times are also possible Hurricanes can only arise at water temperatures of more than 27°C in the Atlantic and are therefore limited to the late summer months with a peak in September and October. Modern meteorology is able to predict these tropical storms very reliably.

Sailing conditions
Even in the age of GPS and chart plotters, the sharp eye of the skipper remains the most important navigational instrument. "Eyeball Navigation" is madatory, most of all the correct recognition and interpretation of the colour shades of the water. An elevated position and polarizing sunglasses are very useful at this "living" coast: coral and mangroves don't stick to navigational mapping and have certainly developed on since the last survey.

Boat rental Exp. Level
From 1 - easy to 5 - very experienced: 4 - 5. We could provide a skipper service for your first day's sail from our base to familiarise the crew with the boat

Diving and Fishing
The coral reefs and cayos off the Cuban coast are among the most breathtaking snorkeling and diving destinations of the world. Whale Sharks can be seen off the Cuban coasts during Summer. There are also lots of Marlins from May to September, as well as other game fish like Tarpons and Bone Fish.

Local Language
Spanish, English, German and French spoken.

Currency
The official currency is the Cuban Peso (CUP), divided into 100 centavos, but the 'tourist' currency is the Peso Convertible (CUC), which replaces the US Dollar as currency in tourist related establishments like hotels, restaurants. Visa and Diners have limited acceptance, and American Express is not accepted anywhere in Cuba.

Provisioning
From provisioning service and airport transfers to sightseeing excursions and diving programs - including the rental of equipment and hiring of diving instructors aboard the sailing yachts - local experts are available for all your desires. Advance reservations should be made.

Passport / Visa
US citizens must be licensed by the Department of Treasury in order to travel to Cuba, but travel to the country is strictly controlled and only select categories of travellers are licensable. European Union citizens must have a valid passport. A visa is also required if the visitor does not have a Tourist Card. A Tourist Visa Card, costing US$25 and may be issued by travel agents or airlines for a single holiday trip of up to 30 days.