Cuba
Charter Havanna Yachtcharter Cuba Sailing Cuba Charter Caribbean
Cienfuegos Yachtcharter Charter Cuba Charter Cuba Yachtcharter
EnjoyBuena Vista Sailing
Yacht Charter Club
SAILING Sea Charts are on board
but as well available for sale in Marina Hemingway shipchandler
and in Havanna vijea "El Navegante"
Use of nautical maps
CRUISE 1 - CANARREOS ARCHIPELAGO (1 WEEK)
Day 1-275
nm Cienfuegos - Cayo Largo del Sur
Morning: Shopping for provisioning,
visit of historical city center, tobacco factory and Punta Gorda residential
area (Optional)
Embark yacht at marina 1800 hrs and
briefing with yacht skipper
Evening: Dinner in stylish historical
‘Club Cienfuegos’ within walking distance of marina (optional).
Depart yacht berth for night cruise
through the Caribbean tropical waters to Cayo Largo
Day 2 Cayo Largo del Sur
Arrive Cayo Largo Marina
morning to noon. Full Service Marina and Diving Center with excellent beaches.
On the way, as far as time permits, snorkelling is possible at the two
big coral reefs off Cayo Ingles or –close to Cayo Largo – near Cayo Hijo
de los Ballenatos.
Visit to „Finca de Tortugas“,
a sea turtle farm and breeding station. A tour guide gives explanations
about the animals’ life and habitat. 10.00 a.m. to 4 p.m., entrance fee
1 USD. (optional)
Afternoon:
Anchoring off and dinghy excursion to fine white beaches with natural pools,
snorkelling and diving spots on and near Cayo Largo. Evening: Nightlife of international
Cayo Largo tourism resort (optional)
Night in the
marina or anchoring near world-famous Playa Sirena beach with protection
to north, east and south.
Day 3 35 nm
Cayo Largo - Canal del Rosario Morning:
Anchoring in narrow mangrove canal and dinghy excursion to Cayo Iguana
( 2 nm from Cayo Largo). Feeding and petting of free-living iguanas. Early
morning hours recommended before tourism groups form Cayo Largo hotels
arrive.
Cruising west with a stopover at the
excellent beach of Playa Rosario with cocos palms, pine trees and
a nearby coral reef for snorkelling. Night: Anchoring near Canal
del Rosario, which offers protection against all prevailing winds.
Day 4 40 nm
Canal del Rosario - Diego Pérez Lighthouse Morning: Visit
to Cayo Cantiles biological reserve centre with monkeys and other
wildlife, managed by CITMA -Ciencia, Tecnología y Medio Ambiente
(optional)
Sailing north via Canal del Rosario
on shallow turquoise waters of Golfo de Batabanó, on the
way visit of lobster and fishing centres of Cayo Travesia or Cayo Flamenco.
Occasionally flamingos can be seen in the Cayo Flamenco - Diego Pérez
area. Night: Anchoring near Diego
Pérez Lighthouse.
Day 5 35 nm
Diego Pérez Lighthouse - Cayos Sal or Guano del Este Morning: Visit
to nearby Cayo Ernesto Thaelmann and the memorial of the 1930s German communist
leader Ernst Thaelmann who was murdered in a nazi concentration camp, untouched
beaches and natural beauty of this uninhabited island. Here you can find
a beautiful beach with a lot of pine trees around, also some free-living
iguanas and birds that have their habitat there.
Sailing on to Cayos de Dios,
Sal or Guano del Este. Snorkelling/diving at coral reef with wide
variety of fish and shellfish. Breeding area of „Bobo“ and other birds.
Anchoring for the night near Guano del Este lighthouse. Formerly, the lighthouse
could be visited; we expect such permission again in the near future.
In the northwest of Cayo Guano there
is a small beach and coral reef for snorkelling. Anchorage protected to
the east.
Cayo Sal anchorage is protected to
the southeast and east, if necessary go to the other side of the island,
which is safe in northerly winds. Off a small beach are two “cabezos“,
or coral heads, for underwater exploration.
Day 6 45 nm
Cayo Guano del Este - Guajimico
Weighing anchor
in early morning hours, sailing east across excellent fishing waters near
Jagua Reef to Guajimico, a narrow cove with a small hotel village
of about 50 cabins in wonderful mountainous setting. Restaurant, swimming
pool, diving.
Day 7 15 nm
Guajimico - Cienfuegos
Morning: Walking
excursion on natural path to caves (optional)
Sailing back to Cienfuegos, arriving
in late morning hours. Disembark yacht.
Excursion by bus or taxi to the Delphinarium,
dolphin and sea lion show, swimming with dolphin’s possible (optional) Evening: Dinner in stylish
historical ‘Club Cienfuegos’ within walking distance of marina
(Optional)
Additional nights
in modern five-star ‘Hotel Jagua’ near marina or four-star, historical
(1869) ‘Hotel Unión’ in city centre (optional)
Visit to Havana
recommended (optional)
CRUISE 2 -
CANARREOS ARCHIPELAGO AND ISLAND OF YOUTH (2 WEEKS)
Day 1-2 75 nm
Cienfuegos - Cayo Largo del Sur Morning: Shopping
for provisioning, visit of historical city center, tobacco factory and
Punta Gorda residential area (optional)
Embark yacht at 1800 hrs and briefing
with yacht skipper Evening: Depart yacht berth
for night cruise through the Caribbean tropical waters to Cayo Largo
Day 2
Cayo Largo del Sur
Arrive at Cayo
Largo Marina morning to noon. Full Service Marina and Diving Center with
excellent beaches. On the way, as far as time permits, snorkelling is possible
at the two big coral reefs off Cayo Ingles or –close to Cayo Largo – near
Cayo Hijo de los Ballenatos.
Visit to ‘Finca de Tortugas’, a sea
turtle farm and breeding station with turtles. A tour guide gives explanations
about the animals’ life and habitat - 10.00 a.m. to 4 p.m., entrance fee
1 USD (optional) Afternoon: Anchoring off and
dinghy excursion to fine white beaches with natural pools, snorkelling
and diving spots on and near Cayo Largo. Evening: Nightlife of international
Cayo Largo tourism resort (optional)
Night in the
marina or anchoring near world-famous Playa Sirena beach with protection
to north, east and south.
Day 3 35 nm
Cayo Largo - Canal del Rosario Morning: Anchoring
in narrow mangrove canal and dinghy excursion to Cayo Iguana (ca. 2 nm
from Cayo Largo). Feeding and petting of free-living iguanas. Early morning
hours recommended before tourism groups form Cayo Largo hotels arrive.
Cruising west with a stopover at the
excellent beach of Playa Rosario with cocos palms, pine trees and a nearby
coral reef for snorkelling. Night: Anchoring near Canal
del Rosario, which offers protection against all prevailing winds.
Day 4 30 nm
Canal del Rosario - Cayo Campos or Cayo Matías Morning:
Visit to Cayo Cantiles biological reserve centre with monkeys and
other wildlife, managed by CITMA - Ciencia, Tecnología y Medio
Ambiente (optional).
Sailing via Cayo Avalos (small
beach and lighthouse, anchorage), Cayo Campos (Natural reserve with
lush vegetation, observation of animal life, beach, snorkeling/diving) to
Cayo Matías (lobster and fishing center with dock), in good
weather diving opportunity at a shipwreck near Cabezo del Sambo.
Day 5 50 nm
Cayo Matías to Punta Francés (Isle of Youth) Leaving early
to sail along the scenic south coast of Isle of Youth. In the centre of
this forested and mountainous stretch with interesting geological formations
is the highest lighthouse of Cuba, Carapachibei.
This island - earlier Pine Island
or ‘Isla de Pinos’ and originally named ‘La Evangelista’ by Columbus upon
it’s 1494 discovery - was a hiding place for pirates of the 16th to 18th
centuries. Celebrities like Anne Bonney, Sir Henry Morgan and Sir Francis
Drake, who possibly died here, are connected to the island, which is supposed
to be the model for R.L.Stevenson’s ‘Treasure Island’.
Night anchoring
near the Punta Francés diving centre, which also has a dock, restaurant
and rustic ‘Ranchon’ bar near the beach. Coral reef for snorkelling. One
of the world’s most significant diving areas with 56 designated diving zones.
Co-ordination of diving activities for the next morning (optional).
Nearby is a nice beach with a lot of
vegetation, and guided explorations on a hiking trail in the area declared
a National Park. Watching birds and other animals (optional).
Day 6 30 nm
Punta Francés - Ensenada de los Barcos
If interested
in diving, in the morning explore various spots of the Punta Francés
diving area with a diving instructor, who can be booked at the site (optional).
Continue to Ensenada de los Barcos,
a large bay with excellent protection on the way to Nueva Gerona.
Day 7 20 nm
Ensenada de los Barcos - Nueva Gerona Harbour
Sailing along
the west and north coasts of Youth Island leads to the island’s capital,
Nueva Gerona. A typical, unspoiled small Cuban city with restaurants
and other facilities. Excellent starting point to explore the island’s sights,
museums and National Parks, guided tours by Rumbos and Transtur travel
organizations (optional). Night docking in the commercial
port of Nueva Gerona (no marina services and facilities). Shopping for
provisioning is possible in the city, diesel available at a Cupet gas station.
Day 8
Isla de la Juventud (optional excursion)
Guided tour of
the Island (Presidio Modelo, Finca El Abra, La Fé, Punta del Este
with prehistoric cave paintings), late afternoon relaxing at black marble
beach of Playa Bibijagua.
Day 9-10 60 nm
Nueva Gerona - Diego Pérez Lighthouse
Sailing on shallow
turquoise waters of Golfo de Batabanó, on the way visit of
lobster and fishing centres of Cayo Traviesa or Cayo Flamenco. Occasionally
flamingos can be seen in the Cayo Flamenco - Diego Pérez area. Night: Anchoring near Diego
Pérez Lighthouse.
Day 11 35 nm
Diego Pérez Lighthouse - Cayos Sal or Guano del Este Morning:
Visit to nearby Cayo Ernesto Thaelmann and the memorial of the 1930s German
communist leader Ernst Thaelmann who was murdered in a nazi concentration
camp, untouched beaches and natural beauties of this uninhabited island.
Here you can find a beautiful beach with a lot of pine trees around, also
some free-living iguanas and birds that have their habitat there.
Sailing on to Cayos de Dios, Sal
or Guano del Este. Snorkelling/diving at coral reef with wide variety
of fish and shellfish. Breeding area of „Bobo“ and other birds. Anchoring
for the night near Guano del Este lighthouse. Formerly, the lighthouse
could be visited; we expect such permission again in the near future.
In the northwest of Cayo Guano there
is a small beach and coral reef for snorkelling. Anchorage protected to
the east.
Cayo Sal anchorage is protected to
the southeast and east, if necessary go to the other side of the island,
which is safe in northerly winds. Off a small beach are two „cabezos“,
or coral heads, for underwater exploration.
Day 12 45 nm
Cayo Guano del Este - Guajimico
Weighing anchor
in early morning hours, sailing east across excellent fishing waters near
Jagua Reef to Guajimico, a narrow cove with a small hotel village of about
50 cabins in wonderful mountainous setting. Restaurant, swimming pool,
diving.
Day 13
15 nm Guajimico - Cienfuegos
Morning: Walking
excursion on natural path to caves (optional).
Sailing back to Cienfuegos,
arriving in late morning hours. Disembark yacht.
Excursion by bus or taxi to the Delphinarium,
dolphin and sea lion show, swimming with dolphin’s possible (optional). Evening: Dinner in stylish
historical ‘Club Cienfuegos’ within walking distance of marina (optional).
Additional nights
in modern five-star ‘Hotel Jagua’ near marina or four-star, historical
(1869) ‘Hotel Unión’ in city center (optional).
Visit to Havana
recommended (optional).
CRUISE 3 - JARDINES DE LA REINA AND
TRINIDAD (1 WEEK)
Day 1
15 nm Cienfuegos - Guajimico Morning:
Shopping for provisioning, visit of historical city centre, tobacco factory
and Punta Gorda residential area (optional)
Embark yacht at
1800 hrs and briefing with yacht skipper Evening:
Dinner in stylish historical ‘Club Cienfuegos’ within walking distance of
marina (optional).
Depart yacht berth
for night cruise through the Caribbean tropical waters to nearby Guajimico
arriving in the morning. Guajimico is a narrow cove with a small hotel
village of about 50 cabins in wonderful mountainous setting. Restaurant,
swimming pool, beach, diving.
Day 2
40 nm Guajimico - Cayo Blanco Morning:
Walking excursion on natural path to caves (optional). Late Morning:
Sailing southeast to Cayo Blanco
Day 3
20 nm Cayo Blanco – Cayo Zaza de fuera
Sailing on the
way to Cayo Zaza de Fera you can visit Cayo Machos de Afuera, where it
is possible to find some iguanas and a small restaurant.
Day 4
20 nm Cayo Zaza de Fuera – Cayo Breton.
A short day’s cruise
leads to Cayo Bretón, separated by several narrow channels and marked
by a lighthouse. Here begins the ‘Gardens of the Queen’, a natural reserve
area of exceptional beauty and almost untouched. You will find the Caribbean
unchanged to how Columbus once discovered it, thus becoming a paradise
for sailors, divers and fishermen. Flamingos, turtles and iguanas roam
here, and lobsters are numerous enough to be your daily diet. Treasures
from old day pirates are said to be scattered on the seafloor as well as
hidden on the cays.
Day 5
50 nm Breton – Trinidad.
Back to civilization
in full-facilities Marina Trinidad
Day 6
Trinidad (optional excursion)
Discover the best-preserved
historical city of Cuba, restored to its 16th century apparel and ranked
World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. A must when in Cuba! Combine this with
a tour to the tropical forests, cascades and natural pools of the Escambray
mountains.
Leave in the late
evening hours for the way back to Cienfuegos sailing through the tropical
night.
Alternatively,
the excursion to Trinidad can be organized from Cienfuegos by
car or bus (100 km) on the following day. In this case, sail back to Cienfuegos
during the day.
Day 7
60 nm Trinidad – Cienfuegos
Sailing back to
Cienfuegos through the tropical night, arriving in the early morning hours.
Disembark yacht.
Excursion by bus
or taxi to the Delphinarium, dolphin and sea lion show, swimming with dolphin’s
possible (optional). Evening:
Dinner in stylish historical ‘Club Cienfuegos’ within walking distance of
marina.
Additional nights
in modern five-star ‘Hotel Jagua’ near marina or four-star, historical
(1869) ‘Hotel Union’ in city center (optional).
Visit to Havana
recommended (optional).
c 5/2004 Cubaecosailing
Havana/Cuba & charterpartner.com e.K./Munich/Germany
all recommendations without any responsibility, decisions have to be
made by skipper himself due to the actual nautical and meteorological situation
