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