Beach at Maria la Gorda

Maria La Gorda....

On a remote place at the Western side of Cuba, in Pinar del Rio province, you can find one of the most virgin natural zones in the Cuban archipelago. This region has been declared Reserve of the Biosphere due to the treasures of its flora and fauna and for its sea and terrestrial landscapes.   Within the limits of the Reserve,  known as Peninsula de Guanabacabibes, we can find a wide stripe of white sands surrounded by the Caribbean Sea, with rich and extensive coastal forest areas forming a beautiful beach, Maria La Gorda, named after old pirate stories where the Diving Center of the same name is located.  Maria La Gorda diving zone, in the Ensenada de Corrientes, is one of the most protected areas in Cuba with an amazing coral reef development, located at a very short distance from the coast. From 5 meters (16 feet) you can see big and  insolated patches of coral with an abundant sessile fauna, specially gorgonians and sea fans, more than 20 species   of coral and lots of small and medium size fish. Lobsters, morays and crabs can be frequently seen in the boles of the bottom. From 10 meters (33 feet) deep these patches are joined together and increasingly higher, thus forming a chain of tall coral hillocks cut by channels and passages, with walls falling sharply and deeply. This wall shows attractive structures such as holes, tunnels and vertical caves, where you can see beautiful black coral colonies, big tubular branch or cup shape sponges and 2 meters (6.5 feet) high gorgonians. Among the fish that move along the wall we can mention barracudas, jacks, dogsnappers, snappers and schoolmasters. You can also see eagle rays and stingrays.

Sometimes and with a little bit of luck some mantas and whale shark can be observed. This Diving Center has 50 sites of high level diving, some are still not named, all of them are less than 1 hour cruise, some at even 5 minutes away. Generally, the are all much more alike, many are suitable for wall diving, but each one has its particular charm. We suggest to you El Cabezon de Ludo, El Salon de Maria, El Almirante  y Yemaya, and the second diving of the  day Acuario, El Ancla de Francois and El Jardin de la Gorgonia.   

Since the diving site is very near, you can do the first dive in the morning, at about 09:00 get back to the Villa, and then second dive in the afternoon, at about `15:00. As a protection measure, the Diving Center makes sure that divings cannot go deeper then 30 meters (98 feet) and not more than 40 minutes dive.                                        

The Villa is small and familiar, with only 21 rooms, (15 with common bathroom and 6 with private bathroom), situated in front of a beach surrounded by a forest of coconut trees. There are small apartments, with a livingroom,  TV and minibar , bathroom with cold and hot water, each one with 2 double rooms, air conditioned and with a safebox.  There is a buffet restaurant, a bar-cafeteria and medical services. No credit  cards are accepted.  Other activities are limited to sight seeing nearby zones and enjoy the virgin natural environment of the Reserve, and fishing. Maria La Gorda is 304 km (190 miles) from Havana, and can only be reached by road..

Is located on the western tip of Cuba.  It a quiet, very beautiful site and the diving is described as some of the best in all of Cuba.  Diving goes on all year around with winter water temperatures averaging 78 degrees and summer water temperatures at 82 degrees.  Maria La Gorda is best known for it's great coral formations, sponges and gorgonians.  The remnants of Spanish galleons are found in this area. Villa Maria La Gorda offers comfortable bungalows for two or four people.

Prices start at about $50 per person including accommodations and three meals.  Dive packages can be purchased at Maria la Gorda starting at about $40 per dive or $50 for night dives.  Full certification courses start at around $350.

Getting there can be the hard part.  You must rent a car or take a van from the airport ($175 round trip per person).)

Beach at Cayo Largo

Cayo Largo....Cayo Largo is the most easterly island in the Archipeligo de los Cannareos.  Here you will find beautiful turquoise waters.  It is a perfect place for water sports of all types.  There are six hotels located on Cayo Largo.  There are over 30 dive sites here and the diving is done out of the Puerto Sol marina.

Bay of Pigs....Here you will find two destinations known as Playa Larga and Play Giron.  There are numerous hotel rooms and bungalows to stay at and much of the scuba diving is done from the shore.  This area is known for it's abrupt ocean walls and underwater caves.  Lots of gorgonians, sponges and corals.

Marina Hemingway....Located on the western edge of Havana.  Capacity for 8 divers.  There are about 30 dive sites with depths ranging from 5 to 35 meters.  A variety of flora and fauna.

Blue Reef Scuba Diving Center....Located at Cocomar Villa on El Saltado beach on the north-western coast.  Capacity if for 8 divers.  Diving is done on about 30 dive sites in mostly 5 to 35 meters of water.  Varied marine flora and fauna.

Matanzas....Here you will find the Barracuda Scuba Diving Center at Playa Azul at Varadero Beach, the place many call the most beautiful beach in the world. Capacity is for 30 divers and more than 30 dive sites ranging from 5 to 40 meters in depth.  A variety of marine flora and fauna.

Cienfuegos....Faro Luna Scuba Diving Center.  Located on Ranch Luna Beach on the central-south coast.  The capacity is for 8 divers with about 25 diving sites.  Depth ranges from 5 to 35 feet.  A good variety of marine flora and fauna.

Beach at Cayo Coco

Ciego de Avila....The Coco Diving Center is located on Cayo Coco, Cuba's second most important beach.  Capacity is for 8 divers and about 20 dive sites.  Depth ranges from 5 to 30 meters and lots of marine flora and fauna.

Camaguey....The Shark's Friends Scuba Diving Center is located on Santa Lucia Beach on the north-eastern coast of Cuba.  Capacity is for 8 scuba divers and features about 17 diving sites with a range of 5-40 meters.  It has a variety of marine flora and fauna.

Holguin....The Eagle Ray Scuba Diving Center is located at Guardalavaca Beach on the norh-eastern coast of Cuba.  Capaicity if for 11 scuba divers with 32 diving sites.  Depth ranges from 5-40 meters.  A variety of marine flora and fauna.

Granma....The Albacora Scuba Diving Center is located on Marea del Portillo Beach on the south-eastern shore of Cuba.  Capacity is for 8 divers featuring 17 dive sites.  Depth is about 5-40 meters with a variety of marine flora and fauna.

Santiago de Cuba....Sigua Scuba Diving Center is located at Boconao Park on the south-eastern coast of Cuba.  Capacity if for 8 divers and  features 23 different dive sites.  Average depth is 5-40 meters with a varied marine flora and fauna.

Guajimico....The small village of Guajimico (an indian name), is located about half way between Cienfugos and Trinidad (30 minutes from each).  it has 14 dive sites with two dive boats, one that holds 30 people and the other 20.  There are 51 cottages built in a traditional Cuban style with private bathrooms and air conditioning.  Diving instructions can be given by CMAS and ACUC instructors. Diving is 5 to 60 meters.

These programs feature transfers to the hotels , accommodations at hotel or villa, meals included, diving and diving instructors with international diplomas from CMAS, NAUI and ACUC.

EXAMPLES OF PRICES

Discover Scuba Diving Course	$ 75.00 USD
Open Water Course	$ 365.00 USD
Referal Course	$175.00 USD
Advanced Course	$ 250.00 USD
Especiality	$ 150.00 USD
Rescue Course	$ 460.00 USD
Dive Master Course	$ 580.00 USD

DIVE PACKAGES

Single Dive 30.00 usd

5 Dive Package 140.00 usd

10 Dive Package 250.00 usd

EQUIPMENT RENTAL