Diving in Cuba

Jardines del Rey, affectionately known asthe "Galapagos of the Caribbean", is a diving destination that lives up to its nickname. Located around 60 kilometers from the mainland, this diving paradise boasts the sixth longest coral reef in the world, stretching over 20 kilometers. The reef is teeming with life, including tarpon, pompano, black grouper and a variety of other fish species.

The underwater landscape is equally impressive: soft and hard corals, sponges and dense vegetation form a colorful underwater garden. Divers can explore sunken wrecks nestled between overgrown caves, tunnels and crevices, offering a unique and exciting diving experience.

The high visibility of often more than 40 meters allows divers to observe whale sharks and other large sea creatures from a distance. Jardines del Rey is a true underwater paradise that is a must for divers with its diverse marine life, stunning coral formations and excellent visibility.

Santa Lucía, located on the northwest coast of Cuba, is known for its breathtaking encounters with bull sharks. These majestic creatures, which can grow up to four meters long and weigh up to 500 kilograms, congregate in the bay of Nuevitas, especially in the winter months. This unique diving experience is not for the faint-hearted, but is an unforgettable adventure for anyone looking for a thrill.

In addition to the bull sharks, there are many other underwater attractions in Santa Lucía. Divers can explore gorgonian forests, underwater caves and the remains of an old Spanish fort. The area's coral formations are home to schools of eagle rays, stingrays, manatees and black coral, offering a rich and varied underwater landscape.

The white sandy beaches of Santa Lucía are not only ideal for relaxing, but also offer excellent opportunities for snorkeling and diving. The combination of stunning marine life, historical remains and breathtaking underwater landscapes makes Santa Lucia one of the best diving destinations in Cuba.

Guardalavaca, located on the east coast of Cuba, is not only a first-class diving destination, but is also home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. The clear, turquoise waters and diverse underwater world of the bay even attracted Columbus, who was once amazed at its beauty.

The offshore reef, which stretches for 18 kilometers, is characterized by a variety of formations, including hills, caves, valleys and vertical cliffs. These structures provide food and shelter for a variety of marine life and make Guardalavaca a treasure trove for divers. The underwater world is teeming with colorful coral reefs, exotic fish and several sunken wrecks, creating a vibrant and dynamic diving environment.

Whether you are an experienced diver or a beginner, Guardalavaca has something for everyone. The crystal clear waters, diverse marine life and stunning coral formations make Guardalavaca a must-visit destination for diving enthusiasts.

Jardines de la Reina, the Queen's Gardens, is an archipelago off the south coast of Cuba that offers one of the best diving experiences in the Caribbean. Named in honor of Queen Isabella of Columbus, the marine reserve is a protected area with limited access so that the underwater world remains untouched.

Divers can encounter a variety of marine life in the Jardines de la Reina, including up to seven different species of shark, including whale sharks, Caribbean reef sharks and the endangered silky shark. The area is also home to giant groupers, turtles and a range of other marine life. The intact reefs, adorned with sea fans, soft corals and sponges, form a colorful and vibrant underwater garden.

The limited access to Jardines de la Reina guarantees a unique and exclusive diving experience, making it a top destination for divers looking to explore one of the Caribbean's most pristine underwater worlds.

Trinidad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers a diving experience that combines cultural heritage with the exploration of the underwater world. Dive sites in Trinidad range from 5 to 30 meters deep and are suitable for divers of all skill levels. The constant water temperature, gentle tides and low environmental impact make for a pleasant and safe diving experience.

The underwater world of Trinidad is vibrant and diverse with over 40 different coral species, including the rare black coral. The offshore peninsula of Ancón is home to towering coral castles, tunnel systems and caves adorned with colorful sea fans, gorgonians, sea anemones and flowering animals. This underwater landscape offers divers a dynamic and visually stunning environment.

In addition to the beauty of the underwater world, Trinidad also offers a rich cultural experience with its colonial architecture and turbulent history. The combination of cultural heritage and diverse underwater world makes Trinidad a unique and exciting diving destination in Cuba.

Cienfuegos, known for its colonial architecture and vibrant culture, also offers excellent diving just minutes from the city center. There are around 40 dive sites in the region, spread over 3.5 nautical miles in the Caribbean Sea. Divers can explore well-preserved shipwrecks, including six notable wrecks, and a majestic coral formation known as "The Lady of the Caribbean".

The underwater world of Cienfuegos is rich in lush flora and fauna and offers a tranquil and visually stunning diving experience. The clear water and visibility of up to 20 meters allow divers to enjoy the vibrant underwater world and coral formations to the fullest. The water temperature is around 26°C all year round, which guarantees a pleasant diving climate.

Cienfuegos offers a unique combination of cultural heritage and underwater beauty, making it a top destination for divers who want to explore both the city and the sea.

Playa Girón, also known as the Bay of Pigs, is not only a place of historical importance, but also one of Cuba's most popular diving destinations. The area is known for its warm water, which has an average temperature of almost 30 degrees Celsius, making it ideal for diving all year round. The region offers 12 near-shore dive sites with depths ranging from 4 to 35 meters, suitable for divers of all experience levels.

The underwater landscape of Playa Girón is characterized by steep cliffs that are home to black corals, gorgonians and sea sponges. Divers can explore a variety of underwater objects, including old wrecks, steep coral walls and cenotes - freshwater cave systems that only exist in this region. The clear, turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea offer excellent visibility, allowing divers to fully enjoy the vibrant underwater world and impressive coral formations.

In addition to its natural beauty, Playa Girón is also known for its historical significance. The Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961 was a key event in Cuban history, and divers can explore the underwater remains of this historic event. The combination of historical fascination and underwater beauty makes Playa Girón a must for divers.

Cayo Largo is one of the best diving destinations in Cuba and offers a pristine underwater world that is ideal for both beginners and advanced divers. The approximately 38 square kilometer island is known for its 25 kilometer long beach with fine white sand. The surrounding coral reefs are teeming with life and Cayo Largo del Sur is often compared to the Bahamas and the Maldives.

The diving area around Cayo Largo del Sur stretches over 50 kilometers and offers a variety of underwater landscapes, including reefs and rock walls. Divers can admire a variety of underwater creatures, such as blue-striped, French and black-backed grunts, bull and nurse sharks, golden-tailed moray eels, Jamaican stingrays, barracudas and angelfish. From April to October, divers can also observe turtles laying their eggs on the beach at Playa Tortuga, which adds to the island's unique charm.

Cayo Largo del Sur offers a calm and lively diving experience. The clear water, the diverse underwater world and the beautiful coral formations make it a top destination for divers in Cuba.

María la Gorda, located at the westernmost tip of Cuba, is an almost untouched diving destination with a pristine underwater world. The name "María la Gorda" translates as "María the Fat", a reference to a local bar owner. The region has been designated a nature reserve since 1979 in order to preserve the rich and diverse underwater world.

The underwater landscape of María la Gorda is characterized by well-preserved coral reefs, barbs, groupers, angelfish and sometimes even turtles. Most of the dive sites are located close to the beach and are therefore easily accessible. The water temperatures, which range between 24 and 30 degrees Celsius, ensure a pleasant and enjoyable diving experience all year round.

María la Gorda is an insider tip among divers and offers a quiet and unspoiled environment for exploring the underwater world. The diverse underwater world, clear water and well-preserved coral reefs make the region a hidden gem for diving enthusiasts.