The Cuban archipelago, which benefits from an excellent position in the Caribbean and is surrounded by warm crystal-clear waters, benefits from its attractions to develop a wide range of recreational options.

In that environment, Cuba's patrimonial, cultural and historic values are complemented by nautical options, one of the priorities in the development of the tourism sector in a medium term.

In addition, the upcoming edition of the International Fair of Tourism will be dedicated to nautical options and will be held in Jardines del Rey, one of Cuba's major coastal resorts.

Official statistics show that Cuba has 11 nautical bases and 12 marinas, nine of which provide services to foreign boats.

Of the latter, six are on the north coast, including Gaviota Los Morros, Hemingway, Gaviota Varadero, Dársena Varadero, Cayo Guillermo and Gaviota Puerto Vita.

In addition, Cuba's tourism industry promotes such options as sport fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling, and yachting, as well as excursions to the northern keys and life-on-board programs.

At the same time, foreign companies supply the equipment and cutting-edge technology to develop nautical sports.

The sea surrounding Cuba is closely linked to cruise tourism in highly-demanded destinations such as the ports of Havana and Santiago de Cuba.

The former is near hotels and the international airport, and benefits from the fact that Old Havana is the most visited city in Cuba.

Three dozen specialized diving centers operate nationwide with facilities to teach initiation courses and diving in coral reefs and caverns under international safety standards for that activity.

Cuba's climate, influenced by warm waters, favors diving as a complement to traditional tourism and allows tourists to enjoy the breathtakingly-beautiful sea bottoms that surround the island.

Scuba diving and snorkeling are also favored by an average annual temperature of more than 24 degrees Celsius and a horizontal visibility that very often exceeds 30 meters.

As a novelty, tourist boats can dock in Cuban marinas for up to five years, a period that can be extended by the marina, so it is an alternative favoring long-stay nautical options.