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