Diving in Cuba

Description of diving zones in Cuba

Varadero. Shore dives. Boat dives.

• 1 day – 2 dives 2*30=60 EUR 2*40=80 EUR
• 2 days – 4 dives 4*29=116 EUR 4*39=156 EUR
• 3 days – 6 dives 6*28=168 EUR 6*38=228 EUR

Playa Larga. Caribbean Sea. Shore dives. Cenote dives.

• 1 day – 2 dives 2*35=70 EUR 2*45=90 EUR
• 2 days – 4 dives 4*34=136 EUR 4*44=176 EUR
• 3 days – 6 dives 6*33=198 EUR 6*43=258 EUR

Accommodation (from 30 EUR per night) and transfer (from 30 EUR) are paid additionally.

Santa Lucia. Zodiac dives “Bull shark feeding show”.

• 1 day – 2 dives 2*40=80 EUR 2*75=150 EUR
• 2 days – 4 dives 4*39=156 EUR 4*74=296 EUR

Accommodation (from 30 EUR per night) and transfer (from 150 EUR) are paid additionally.

Santiago de Cuba. Spanish sunken fleet of 1898. Zodiac dives

• 1 day – 2 dives 2*45=90 EUR
• 2 days – 4 dives 4*44=176 EUR
• 3 days – 6 dives 6*43=258 EUR

Accommodation (from 30 EUR per night) and transfer (from 250 EUR) are paid additionally.

Province Pinar del Río

Diving zone Maria La Gorda stretches along the Guanahacabibes Peninsula National Park, a biosphere reserve.

It is considered one of the most pristine and untouched areas of the country. A distinctive feature of this place is the largest colony of black corals in Cuban waters. On the way to Maria La Gorda, it makes sense to rest on the islet Cayo Levisa. In the depths here, one can find a wide variety of corals, sponges, tropical fish of medium and large sizes, and remains of ships from the 17th–18th centuries.

Havana – an ideal place for those who want to explore the depths without leaving the capital. Diving centers here cover a zone over 100 kilometers long. In the deep waters live swordfish, parrotfish, sponges, moray eels. One can also dive to sunken ships, home to numerous fish of all colors of the rainbow.

Isla de la Juventud (Isle of Youth)

In the southeast of the Isle of Youth, in the Punta Frances ecological reserve, lies an extensive diving zone where, alongside sunken ships, one can see numerous marine inhabitants. Diving here is especially attractive due to the possibility of swimming through deep channels between coral reefs. The charm of this place is complemented by numerous colonies of sponges and gorgonians of various shapes and colors.

Cayo Largo del Sur

At the eastern end of the Los Canarreos archipelago, surrounded by pristine beaches with white sand, lies Cayo Largo del Sur – one of the most attractive places for snorkeling enthusiasts. In the relatively shallow waters, the underwater world amazes with its uniqueness and bright colors: round, branching, tubular sponges, sea fans, gorgonians, and other inhabitants of various shapes and colors. Diving in tunnels, near cliffs with sheer walls, and the untouched underwater landscapes impress many divers.

Province Matanzas

The Varadero diving zone is the most famous in Cuba. The vast area abounds with caves, tunnels, fractures decorated with corals of various shapes and colors, thickets of gorgonians, among which numerous tropical fish dart. The Bahia de Cochinos (Bay of Pigs) diving zone is located in the south of Matanzas province. The main attraction here is scuba diving in the open sea and cave diving in water-filled caves. Diving is done directly from the shore, as many of the most beautiful sponges – Moose Horn, Brain, Leaf, Star, Flower, etc. – are located close to the coast. In addition, beautiful coral colonies with schools of multicolored fish begin right at the shore. Here one can also see sunken evidence of the American invasion of Cuba in 1961.

Cienfuegos

This interesting coastal city is known to diving enthusiasts for the untouched beauty of its underwater world and its huge coral reef stretching along the coast. Among the corals, Moose Horn, sea fans, and gorgonians are most common. The province has two diving centers with a huge area of more than 6 square kilometers. Sunken ships turned into artificial reefs, diverse fauna with many fish – this is only part of the richness of these waters. One can also encounter jellyfish, turtles, sea urchins, and even, if lucky, whale sharks.

Trinidad

On the Ancon Peninsula, near the best beaches of Cuba’s southern coast, there is a diving center and comfortable hotels just steps from the beach. From here, a narrow sandy platform stretches to the coral islet Cayo Blanco, populated by coral groups up to 5 m high with grottoes and tunnels, with many tropical fish. About 40 species of corals can be found here, the most valuable being black corals, a wide variety of sponges, branching and feather-like jellyfish.

Santa Lucia – one of the longest and most beautiful beaches in Cuba, located in the north of Camagüey province on the northeastern coast, near the largest coral reef in the Western Hemisphere.

You can visit shark feeding. Shark season – from November to the end of February. The coral reef is just a few minutes away by boat.

Diving is conducted in the “La Boca” channel during slack tide in the bay.

Cayo Coco

The Cayo Coco diving zone, located on the northern coast of Ciego de Ávila province, is distinguished by great diversity of underwater landscapes, water clarity, white sand, and the captivating beauty of coral formations stretching almost 40 kilometers. The sea depth ranges from 2 to 40 meters, and the main advantage is the richness of marine fauna. Experts say that in the Caribbean there are only a few places comparable in beauty and abundance of fish to Cayo Coco, sometimes called a “giant natural aquarium”. Sponges and gorgonians abound, and various corals grow here.

Holguín

In Holguín province, the diving area extends 18 kilometers. The seabed relief is complex and uneven, consisting of high hills, caves, small valleys, and sheer cliffs that sometimes descend in terraces covered with gorgonians, sea fans, and other corals. The main attraction here is the Coral Garden, which includes an artificial underwater park with sunken tanks and artillery.

Santiago de Cuba

Giant gorgonians, sea fans, sponges, seabed covered with corals, diverse fish, crustaceans, and mollusks – all distinguish this diving zone. The coral reef takes unusual forms here, including barriers, hills scattered across the sandy bottom, ridges, shallows, depressions, and massive walls. Among the incredible underwater beauty lie the remains of Admiral Cervera’s famous Spanish fleet.