Cuba - where to dive?

[Aljaz]

I am thinking about a 10 or 14 day vacation in Cuba in Feb/Mar 2010 and am hoping to dive away from the main commercial/tourist areas.

I've not been to Cuba before so does anyone have suggestions as to the best place to stay and dive? My wife and I are both PADI Advanaced and have 250 dives between us.

Thanks

 

[DCBC]

Maria la Gorda is about 150 miles west of Havana. The "Villa Maria la Gorda" has a reasonably well equipped Dive Center (CMAS, SSI, PADI) and has 2 well equipped dive boats (O2 on-board). There are several dive sites to choose from including the Lost Paradise drop-off (55-100 ft) and Maria's Breasts (65 ft), to name a few. The hotel is right on the beach and is air conditioned. There are of course several diving destinations on the island. I suppose it depends upon how much nightlife you're looking for...

I looked up their Website it's http://www.villamarialagorda.com/

Where ever you go, dive safe and have a great vacation!

 

[Aljaz]

Thanks very much - I'll check it out. Nightlife isn't a big thing for us - just a few decent dive sites, beach and somewhere to eat!

 

[DCBC]

I think you'll enjoy your visit; things are pretty laid back...

 

[shark_tamer]

I have never been to Maria LaGorda, but my fave dive destination is Cuba is Cayo Largo. I have been there in 4 occasions !!!

Cayo Largo is a small island on the south side of Cuba, in the Caribbean Sea, somewhat different from north side who is in the Atlantic Ocean/Gulf of Mexico.

There is not much to do on the island ... only 5 hotels and there are no Cubans living on the island ... definitly not a tourist trap !! If you're looking for a destination for diving and relaxing, this is a destination worth considering.

The only dive center of the island is situated at the marina, and a shuttle will pick you up at your hotel.

For the last 3 or 4 years, this destination has been "boycotted" by divers because of high prices ... 55$US a dive with no possibilities of buying packages !!! But last time I was there, the center's manager told me prices were supposed to go down to roughly what they used to be: 35$US a dive with packages available. If you are interested, you can contact Carlos ( manager ) at buceo2.marina@repgc.cls.tur.cu and enquire about the prices.

If you'd like additional info on this destination, pm me and it'll be a pleasure to forward additional info.

I'm sure you'll have a pleasant dive vacation at any destination in Cuba ...

 

[nipi]

Another vote for MLG.

 

[Aljaz]

Thanks for the information. We now have a couple of really good sites to consider.

 

[Flipper Chick]

Hi I am also visiting the main land of Cuba this February 2010 and looking for a place to dive. I am traveling with my 69 year old mother though so we are looking for an adult oriented resort where I can dive, she can kick back, and we can both do some land based activites together. So I'm not looking for a dive vacation as much as a place to go where I can dive. I will be taking all my dive gear with me and would prefer to see fish and creatures rather than wrecks. I'm a Rescue diver with close to 100 dives under my weight belt I would also like to hike and bike while I'm there. Nightlife isn't as important as a good beach and nice pool. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Shark Bait!]

For the last 3 or 4 years, this destination has been "boycotted" by divers because of high prices ... 55$US a dive

Not really that bad a price... ever been to the Cayman islands $100 min. for a 2 tank dive.

 

[Axeman]

I highly recomend Marea del Portillo for the diving and wonderful people.

You can get cut rates on diving if you arrange your diving through Scuba Cuba
Al Murphy is a great guy and will set you up right.

Otherwise the rates are not bad anyways.

I did a two week trip in April. I just finished editing all of the video and put it on youtube if you want a preview of the cuban diving.

The videos are in a 10 part series so you should be able to find them in my chanel.
YouTube - cphinney's Channel

Cheers