The Cuban archipelago, strategically located in the Caribbean, is supported by its surrounding waters to develop nautical options in the tourist industry.

In addition, the geographic position of the country is in the center of the main marine routes in the area (the Yucatan Channel, the Old Bahama Channel and the Windward Passage).

Likewise, the Cuban ports of Havana, Santiago de Cuba and Cienfuegos, with stopovers in Trinidad and Punta Frances (Isle of Youth), are included every year in cruise ship routes across the Caribbean.

In this sense, Cuban authorities allowed the construction and preparation of marinas to cater international tourism and to facilitate the arrival and departure of pleasure boats.

As a novelty, pleasure boats may remain in the national territory up to five years, a time lapse which can be extended by the marina, as an alternative aiming at a long-stay nautical option.

In procedure terms, it is important to mention the creation of an internet portal to facilitate arrival clearance of recreational vessels, in which the necessary authorizations may be requested in advance.

In this sense, the docking and anchoring processes are guaranteed, as well as other services such as communication, repairs, maintenance, fuel supply, provisioning, water, electricity, immigration and customs procedures, lodging and recreational options.

The facilities linked to this service have several leisure offers such as excursions in yachts or sailboats, the exciting emotion of fishing and scuba diving.

Also, Cuba is privileged by its 70,000 square kilometers of island shelf which is home to an exuberant underwater life.

In the abovementioned area, close to 6,500 varieties of fish, crustaceans, sponges and mollusks, living among several coral species make up one of the best preserved underwater ecosystems in the region.

Nautical sports, catamaran tours along Havana´s coastline and sport fishing are other options in the island, apart from life-onboard offers among solitary Cuban keys.

In Varadero, about 120 kilometers from Havana, the International Diving Center, with training and excursions programs prepared by highly specialized personnel, is a major attraction for hundreds of visitors who arrive from different countries.

Meanwhile, in the southern area of the Isle of Youth, the Colony Hotel and Diving Center is a world class destination for scuba diving and other related activities.

The facility is supported by a particularly beautiful environment surrounded by virgin beaches of crystal-clear waters, marine bottoms full of a diverse flora and fauna, and ideal climatic conditions, 90 percent of the year, for scuba diving in 56 selected sites.