Diving
Often compared today to what the Cayman Islands were twenty years ago, many divers around the world call Cuba their favorite dive spot. With waters averaging a tranquil 80F-85F, with extensive coral reefs, cays and islets, and with world-class dive operations found throughout the island, it's clear why Cuba has become synonymous with colorful, exciting and challenging diving.
You're not alone down there. Spanish galleons and U-boats are your architecture. Populous sea life includes turtles, sharks, rays, barracuda, angels, grouper
s, jacks, grunts, parrot fish, damsels, bigeyes and trigger fish. Visibility generally ranges from 15 to 35 meters, so you'll be able to see who's coming around the next bend.
The four main dive regions are: Archipelago de los Colorados, on Cuba's far northwest shore (which includes the popular Cayo Levisa); Sabana and Camaguey Archipelagos, two extended islet clusters on the northern coastline; Jardines de la Reina, a cluster of coral limestone cays on the southeastern coast; and, Isla de Juventud (Isle of Youth), the jewel of Cuba's dive coast. Isla de Juventud's main resort, the Colony Hotel, sits just twenty minutes from The International Scuba Diving Center. The waters of Isla feature shipwrecks and incredible shallow reefs, along with a very popular abrupt drop-off from the island's shelf into the Gulf of Mexico (here you'll find huge formations of black coral at around 20 meters).
Because of the overall high quality of diving in Cuba (and more importantly, because of the incredible influx of international tourists), new dive centers are springing up at an ever-increasing rate (an incredible site that has extensive information on all
of the dive centers is www.acuc.es/cuba0.html). Virtually every resort site offers a dive program, to one degree or another, most including programs and certification courses. Although the quality of equipment at the resorts and dive shops is generally good, it's not a bad idea to bring your own equipment (sans tanks and weight belts, as all dive centers have 12 or 15-liter tanks). Tank fittings and equipment can be found in both European and North American standards.
Marinas
Sailors (including Mssr. Hemingway) have long had a fondness for the notorious waters surrounding Cuba. In recent years, the Cuban government has made huge steps in providing marinas comparable to those on surrounding islands.
While boating in Cuban waters, you'll need to register your vessel upon arrival. The permit is called a Permiso Especial de Navigacion, and starts at $50US (depending on the length of your craft). A separate pemit, or official clearance, is required prior to departing for your next stop (and each subsequent stop after that). Although some of these proceedings might seem time-consuming, the officials are generally nice and very helpful.
For those who don't own a boat, but would still like to sail to Cuba, Toronto-based Cuba Cruise Co. offers American 3- to 4-night cruises to Cuba from Nassau, Bahamas. Besides the obvious benefit of being able to relax while others do the work, all questions of legalities (read: Americans) are moot, as passengers are registered as guests of a Canadian nonprofit foundation. As such, all aboard are classified (and very creative, we might add) as "humanitarian travelers." The caravan does, in fact, bring medical and educational supplies to approved Cuban organizations. Cuba Cruise Co. can be reached at (800) 387-1387 or (416) 964-2569.
Below is detailed information on some of the best marinas on the island.
| Marina Hemingway Havana. Location: 23 0 5 N, 82 30.5 W. Frequency: HF 7462, VHF 16 & 72. Depth: 4, 5 & 6 meters | Marina Tararaxxxx Habana del este. Location: 23 12 N, 82 14 W. Frequency: VHF 77. Depth: 1.5 meters xxxxxx xxxxx | Marina Maria La Gorda Cabo de San Antonio, Pinar del Rio. Location: 21 49 N, 84 28 W. Frequency: HF 3600. Depth: 2 meters |
| Marina Chapelin Punta de Hicacos, Varadero. Location: 23 10.8 N, 81 11 W. Frequency: HF 7462, VHF 16 & 72. Depth: 3-5 meters |
Marina Darsenaxxxxxx Via Blanca Km 31, Varadero. Location: 23 10´N, 81 17´W. Frequency: HF 2790, VHF 16,19, 68 y 72. Depth: 3 meters | Marina Jaguaxxxxxxxxx Calle 35 s/n, e/ 6 y 8, Cienfuegos. Location: 22 18´N, 80 28´W. Frequency: VHF 19-a. Depth: 3 meters |
| Marina Cayo Blanco Peninsula Ancon, Sancti Spiritus. Location: 21 48´N, 80 02´W. Depth: 2 meters xxxxxx | Marina Cayo Coco xxx Moron, Ciego de Avila. Location: 22 25´N, 78 28´W. Depth: 4 meters xxxxxxx xxx | Marina Gaviota Varadero Autopista Sur, Peninsula de Hicacos, Varadaro. Location: 23 11´N, 81 08´W. xxxxxxx xxxxxxx |
| Marina Punta Gorda x Punta Gorda, Santiago de Cuba. Location: 19 59.07´N, 75 52.5´W. Depth: 2.5 - 6 meters xxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxx | El Colony Marina & Dive Center, Carretera Siguanea, Km 41, Isla de Juventud. Location: 21 36' N, 82 57' W. Frequency: HF 2790. Depth: 3 meters | Marina Cayo Largo del Sur, Archipelago de los Canarreos Mar Caribe. Location: 21 38´N, 81 34´W . Frequency: VHF 06 and 16. Depth: 3.5 meters |
Aqua |
Paradiso |
Colony |
Cayo Largo |
Jagua |
Ancon |
|
Location |
Varadero |
Varadero |
Isla |
Cayo Largo |
Cienfuegos |
Casilda |
Latitude |
23 08' |
23 08' |
21 38' |
21 38' |
22 07' |
21 44' |
Longitude |
81 18' |
81 18' |
82 59' |
81 34' |
80 27' |
79 59' |
Mooring |
110 |
29 |
30 |
20 |
15 |
4 |
Electricity |
110/220 |
110/220 |
110/220 |
110/220 |
110/220 |
110/220 |
Water |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Security |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Diesel |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Gas |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Tourist Office |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Sanitary Services |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Showers |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Accommodations |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Telephones |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Laundry |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Shop |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Cash Exchange |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Propane Gas |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
Yes |
No |
Fishing
Cubanacan arranges deep sea fishing trips from Havana's Marina Hemingway, and Marina Chapelin, in Matanzas. Fishing season is May to December. Visit www.cubanacan.com for details.
Cubanacan arranges fresh-water fishing trips to Rancho Hatuey (Sancti Spiritus), Moron (Ciego de Avila) and Viramas (Granma). The fishing season extends 11 months throughout the year, excluding June. Visit www.cubanacan.com for details.
Bird Watching
Cubanacan arranges bird watching trips to the following areas: Guanahacabibes Peninsula, Sierra de los Organos, Sierra del Rosario (all in Pinar del rio), Cienaga de Zapata (Matanzas), Sierra del Escambray (Villa Clara), Sierra Maestra (Granma), La Gran Piedra (Santiago de Cuba) and Sierra Cristal (Guantanamo). Visit www.cubanacan.cu for details.
Hunting
Cubanacan arranges sport hunting trips in Rancho Hatuey (Sancti Spiritus), Moron (Ciego de Avila) and Viramas (Granma). These trips are devoted primarily to duck and pigeon hunting. Visit www.cubanacan.com for details.
Designated hunting and fishing reserves :
PINAR DEL RIO: Maspoton Hunting and Fishing Reserve. Horizontes Maspoton Hotel
MATANZAS: Amarillas Hunting Reserve. Horizontes Playa Giron Hotel; Laguna del Tesoro Fishing Reserve, Matanzas. Guama Hotel
CIENFUEGOS: Yarigua Hunting and Fishing Reserve. Yarigua Reserve Hotel
SANCTI SPIRITUS: Sur del Jibaro Hunting Reserve. Zaza Hotel. Presa Zaza Fishing Reserve, also Zaza Hotel.
CIEGO DE AVILA: Moron Hunting reserve. Moron Hunting Grounds Hotel. Also, Lago la Redonda y Laguna de la Leche, Fishing Reserves.
CAMAGUEY: Florida Hunting Reserve; Corral de Rojas Hunting Reserve. Also, the Presas Porvenir Fishing Reserve. The Horizontes Camaguey Hotel are near all three reserves.