| One of the most popular holiday types we sell at | | | | Largo showcases virtually untouched beaches and |
| Captivating Cuba is the scuba diving holiday. Cuba | | | | coral reefs. The sea also includes mountains of coral |
| attracts swarms of divers every year, attracted by | | | | reefs and a wide range of fish and chelonians and |
| its calm, warm waters, its stunning coral reefs, | | | | because of the nearby coral reef, the Cuban dive |
| sunken shipwrecks and dazzling array of tropical fish. | | | | spot is protected from strong currents making it ideal |
| The waters boast an average annual temperature of | | | | for beginners. Although this is around 177 kilometres |
| over 24 degrees centigrade, and with an average | | | | from Havana, local domestic flights can be taken |
| visibility of 98 feet, allowing divers an excellent view | | | | between the two locales and take around 45 |
| of the underwater paradise the Cuban dive sites | | | | minutes. |
| offer. The lack of strong currents and variety of dive | | | | Playa Giron |
| sites available mean that the island is a perfect | | | | Just east of the Bay of Pigs is Playa Giron. The |
| training ground for Cubas diving virgins, as well as | | | | international dive centre here deals mainly in shelf |
| offering a challenge for those who were born in a | | | | diving with additional trips out to local deep caves in |
| wet suit! | | | | the region. The main attractions of this Cuba dive site |
| So without further ado, heres a list of Captivating | | | | are the sheer drop offs near shore which are |
| Cubas top 5 Cuban diving sites: | | | | punctuated with swim throughs, making for |
| Maria la Gorda | | | | memorable shore dives. The site has some shallow |
| Located on the west of Cuba, local to Pinar del Rio, | | | | shore dives to initiate beginners, while more |
| Maria la Gorda is a beautiful dive spot surrounded by | | | | experienced divers will be enamoured by the inland |
| nature its one of the least developed areas of the | | | | cave dives available. |
| island. The dive site itself is found in the | | | | Because of the distance from Havana (a road |
| Guanahacabibes Peninsula, which is a world biosphere | | | | transfer will take upwards of 4 hours), I would |
| preserve and has two dives zones, with underwater | | | | recommend staying in one of the Hotel Playa Girons |
| sights including black coral walls, 18th century | | | | 290 rooms. Its certainly popular with Cubas divers |
| shipwrecks, flora and fauna. There are also caves | | | | indeed; in 1994 a ship was deliberately sunk for the |
| around for those looking to experience cave and | | | | benefit of the diving population. |
| cavern diving, and possibly night diving trips if the | | | | Faro Luna |
| demand is there. The site is a 4 hour transfer from | | | | Last but not least on my list is Faro Luna, found in |
| Havana, but it is well worth the trip to experience | | | | the Cienfuegos province on the south of the island. |
| what is one of the finest Cuba dive sites. | | | | The city has received many accolades for maintaining |
| Cayo Levisa | | | | the clean environment of the water and as a result |
| If youre looking for something a little more accessible | | | | of this and the 28 dive sites in the region, it remains |
| from the islands capital, then Cayo Levisa may be | | | | a popular area with Cuban diving enthusiasts. The |
| the answer. Located on the north west of the island, | | | | Faro de Luna Diving Center has shipwrecks, marine |
| about an hours trip from Havana, the Cuban dive site | | | | life and coral formation barriers so high they are |
| is home to sponges, black coral and some of the | | | | visible on the surface. The waters here are so clean |
| islands larger tropical fish. Its also home to some of | | | | and clear that the zone is highly recommended for |
| the islands more memorable shipwrecks, with 17th | | | | Cuban divers who wish to engage in some |
| and 18th century wrecks of archaeological interest | | | | underwater photography. |
| free for divers to explore. If you want to make | | | | Those visiting Cuba to dive are in for a real treat. Ive |
| diving the focus of your holiday, the Hotel Cayo | | | | only namechecked 5 Cuban diving sites here that |
| Levisa allows Cubas divers to stay in one of its 40 | | | | warranted extra special mention, but the clear, warm |
| rooms for the duration of their trip | | | | waters, tropical fish and stunning coral formations |
| Cayo Largo | | | | mean that wherever divers in Cuba go, they are |
| Located on the southern side of the Cuba, Cayo | | | | unlikely to be disappointed. |