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