Cuba has a privileged
geographical position at the entrance of the Gulf of
Mexico, a location which makes of this island a prime
destination for tourists visiting the Caribbean. It is
the largest island in the region, with a very rich
history, culture and exuberant nature both in land and
underwater. Recent construction of several marinas
has enlarged the capacity for nautical sports in the
country, and with that, the Scubadiving as well. With a
Narrow and elongated figure, Cuban coasts are immersed
in the warm Caribbean waters, so its insular shelf is
rich in diversity of marine species. Due to its history
and the fact that in colonial times the Spanish Crown
fleets gathered here, bringing the Gold from the New
World ( South and Central America ) to form convoys and
sail to Europe in a safer way, lot if wreckages can be
found in the island waters.
In the Cuban insular shelf stand approximately
3400 km of coral front, for an underwater belt, emerge
in many places to create corals called peak or
'seamounts' true privileges for scuba divers.
Scubadiving centers are located strategically in the
most interesting nature areas.
MAIN SCUBA DIVING CENTERS:
Hotel “Colony” & associated
Diving Centre.
Coordinates: Lat. 21° 36'N.,
Long. 82°57 W
The Puertosol El Colony
International Scuba-Diving Center is on the Isia de la
Juventud, Southwest of the Cuban mainland, 46 kilometers
(29 miles) from Nueva Gerona, capital of that island
municipality. Its enchantment steins both from its
history -which is filled with legends of buried
treasures- and from its beautiful sea beds.
The Siguanea Marina can fit
you out for scuba diving in renowned sea depths, which
many specialists consider one of the best in the world
for scuba-diving. Tunnels, passages, grottoes, deep
channels and underwater valleys form an incomparable
submarine seascape inhabited by a great diversity of
species.
Scuba-diving courses at all
levels are offered, with internationally recognized
certificates. An international underwater photography
contest, Photosub, is held at this marina each year,
upon clients’ request, with different specialties and
prizes.
Punta Frances , a reserve of
the biosphere, is near the Puertosol El Colony
International Scuba-Diving Center. Its picturesque
beaches are perfect, both for water sports and for
simply enjoying Nature. Moreover, it is a special
stopping-place for cruise ships.
The
Hotel Colony:
Facilities
Hotel
with 77 air-conditioned rooms.
·
Restaurant
·
Aqua bar
·
Shop
·
Swimming pool
·
Cabaret & Night entertainment.
·
Local airport 2 Kilometers from
the hotel, for small to medium range planes.
·
Associated Scuba Diving Centre
with daily dive operations to 56 scuba-diving sites.
·
Hyperbaric chamber
·
Underwater medical services.
·
Nature excursions and tours
available, including city tour in Nueva Gerona city.
Marina
services
Facilities
* 15 moorings.
*Fuel, water and electricity.
*Catering.
*Maintenance and minor
repairs.
Maria La Gorda Scuba
Diving center General Information.
María la Gorda” Hotel &
associated Diving Centre.
In a natural paradise filled
with myths and legends of pirate ships and Spanish
galleons sunk along its coasts you will find the Hotel
Puertosol María la Gorda and its related International
Diving Centre. The natural wealth and others
deposited there are only but a part of its treasures. !
Give yourself a special gift by exploring this
beautiful, silent world.!
The Puertosol Maria La Gorda
International Scuba-Diving Center is on the Southern
coast of the most Western tip of the Cuban archipelago,
at Corrientes Cape on the Guanahacabibes Peninsula,
Pinar del Rio Province, 300 kilometers (186 miles) from
Havana .
UNESCO has declared the area
to be a reserve of the biosphere. The fantastic scenery
and the seabed- rich in marine species, with coral reefs
of impressive beauty- make this an ideal place for both
scuba-diving and eco tourism.
The Black Corals Valley, with
coral walls more than 100 meters long and The Salon de
Maria, a cave I5 meters deep with plumule cored, are
musts adjoining areas where the concentration of fishes
during the migratory seasons are truly impressive.
The Puertosol Maria La Gorda
International Scuba-Diving Center is also an excellent
place to drop anchor for all yachtsmen coming from the
Yucatan Channel, the Gulf of Mexico and the Western
Caribbean.
Facilities:
The hotel:
·
Lodging in Villa Maria La Gorda
(34 . air-conditioned rooms, independent bath rooms, hot
water, Cable TV and mini-bar )
·
Restaurant, shop and bar).
·
Nature Excursions available
·
Car rental point.
·
Daily Diving Excursions available
and Scuba Diving Courses.
·
Possibilities for snorkeling,
going on excursions and taking underwater pictures.
Hiking
The Marina and Diving
Centre: Coordinates: Lat. 21° 49'N.,
Long. S4"29.SW
30 special scuba - diving
sites. Scuba-diving courses at all levels, with
international certification.
·
Marina services
·
Anchorages.
·
Fuel and water.
·
Catering.
·
Immigration procedures for yacht
men.
·
International communications.
CAYO LEVISA
Operator: Cubanacan
Teaching: ACUC, SSI,
CMAS
Ships: 2 boats, for 8 and 20 divers
Tanks:
Steel of 12 liters and 15 liters Courses: Open Water
Instructor and Open Water
Oxygen equipment: Yes
nearest hospitals: Naval Hospital "Dr. Luis Díaz Soto
"Hospital 150 Km and CIMEQ
Immersion Points: 23
points
Dive area: Cayo Levisa belongs to the
archipelago of Los Colorados, which crowns the north
coast of the province of Pinar del Rio, the westernmost
province of Cuba. Their dive sites are north. The coral
reef is located northwest of the key shows high values
varied sessile fauna and fish that inhabit it, the
range of shapes and colors, and its excellent state of
preservation are impressive. Coral formations abound
massive star, brain coral, hillocks of coral, sea fans,
feathery sea fans, tube sponges, ramosas fluffy, and
tropical fish such as parrots, barbers, black sea bream
and grouper. There is also the presence of wrecks of the
seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, all accessible and
archaeological interest.
Recommended immersion points: The Mysterious
Chain, The Arch of Ludovico, Hell, The Crown of San
Carlos, La Poza Shark, Cutting Pirate, Paradise Lost,
The Valley of Sponges, La Cueva de Lorenzo and La little
Grotto.
Zapata Swamp
OCTOPUS DIVING CENTERS ( PLAYA LARGA ) AND
PLAYA GIRON
BAY OF PIGS
Operator: Cubanacan
Didactics: SSI
Ships: The dive is done from shore
Tanks: Steel 12 liters
Courses: Open Water Instructor
and Open Water
Oxygen equipment: Yes
nearest
hospitals: Clinical-Surgical Hospital "Julio Aristegui"
127 km and 162 km Naval Hospital
Immersion points: 14
Dive area: The open water diving in cenotes and brackish
water flooded caves cave-system linked to the Zapata
Swamp and multilevel diving constitute the uniqueness of
this area. Dives are made directly from the coast, where
immediately elkhorn corals, brain, sea fans appear;
corals leaf, stars, columns, bridal bouquets and tube
sponges in the company of many schools of multicolored
fish and crabs. an abrupt wall, which are attached
sponges, gorgonians and corals large: to get to the
other major veril distinctive appeal appears.
Recommended immersion points: Punta Perdiz 1 and 2, El
Tanque, El Cenote, El Brinco 1 and 2, La Cueva de los
Peces and ebony, 35th Anniversary, Casimba Dagmar and
Casimba Ilona.
DIVING CENTER CALETA BUENA.
BAY OF PIGS
Operator: Cubanacan
Didactics: SSI
Ships: The dive
is done from shore
Tanks: Steel 12 liters
Courses:
Open Water Instructor and Open Water
Oxygen
equipment: Yes
nearest hospitals: Clinical-Surgical
Hospital "Julio Aristegui"
127 km and 162 km Naval
Hospital
Immersion points: 19 points
Dive area:
This area is also located immersion Bay of Pigs, Zapata
Peninsula. Being in the same region, it has properties
similar to those of Larga and Playa Giron features.
Its special charm is due to the large colonies of
different types of coral, where the abundant black coral
is counted; variety of sponges with yellow or violet
orange, shaped barrel, tubular, basket and drinks.
Similarly, a diverse marine flora, large sea fans and
abundant tropical fish can be seen. But the real
uniqueness of Caleta Buena are the wrecks also the
practice of cave diving in cenotes and flooded caves,
vertical up to 40 meters.
Recommended immersion
points: The Crown of Maceo, The Canyons, El
Cabezo-Caleta Buena, El Alto de las Pailas
Information for reservations:
PUNTA PERDICES
Description snorkeling area: This point is
located in the Bay of Pigs, about 100m from the
restaurant Punta Perdiz. You can reach it easily through
a small beach and a pier Alejo popularly known as El
Moro.
It consists of tunnels and walls that descend
stepwise. It has an extensive Arenazo full of small
coral formations that can be seen at a depth of 2 meters
and extend to the edge of the slope.
In this place of
great beauty, abundant different species of corals, sea
fans, sponges, large fish and schools of colorful
tropical fish. Due to its characteristics, this dive is
one of the most important and popular attractions Zapata
Swamp.
North point, along the coral ridge 6 meters
deep slope, is a wreck small size is of great appeal to
have impregnated underwater life. The incursion by its
small engine room and the cellar is very popular.
Information:
The CIB Punta Perdiz has new
and modern technology Cressi brand.
Deputy CIB runs a
visitor center that offers computing facilities for
specialized activities. The Centre also has a shop
offering souvenirs and accessories diving and sport
fishing.
A restaurant, very attractive because of
its design that simulates a ship, offers services as a
buffet and open bar.
Nearest hyperbaric chamber:
Cárdenas Hospital, 135 kilometers (84 miles) and the
Naval Hospital in Havana, 204 km (127 miles)
COVARRUBIAS
Operator: Cubanacan
Teaching: ACUC
Boats:
Boats Yamaha
Courses: Instructor and Open Water
Oxygen equipment: Yes
nearest hospitals: Military
Hospital "Joaquín Castillo Duany" 320 km
Immersion
points: 12
Dive area: Presence of black coral,
elkhorn, brain, leaves, stars, sea fans, tropical fish
dogfish, saws, groupers, snappers, snappers, trumpet
fish, barracudas, and others.
Recommended dive sites:
La Punta, La Cueva Chiquita, El Puente, Los Perros,
Aquarius and Covarrubias.
Information for
reservations:
ALBACORA Marea del Portillo
Operator:
Cubanacan
Teaching: ACUC, SSI
Boats: Boats Yamaha
compressor:
Tanks: Steel 12 and 15 liters
Courses:
Open Water and Open Water Instructor
Oxygen
equipment: Yes
nearest hospitals: Military Hospital
"Joaquín Castillo Duany" and Naval Hospital "Dr. Luis
Díaz Soto "162 km
Immersion points: 17
Dive area:
Part of the National Park reaches a wide area diving
-from Cabo Cruz to Rio Maceo with a coral reef in the
state of virginity. All points have in common a varied
presence of different species of tropical fish, huge
sponges, colonies of black coral, elkhorn corals, brain,
leaves, stars, sea fans and gorgonians. The greatest
treasure, considered National Heritage constituent
wrecks, Spanish galleons and British schooners sunk
during the XVII and XIX belonging to the famous fleet of
Admiral Cervera centuries.