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