Thinking Cuba, need ideas.

[chauncy19]

Thinking of diving in Cuba next year. Where to go? Live aboard? Most interested in Marine life not wrecks or plegics necessarily. appreciate any thoughts. thinking I have to fly from Mexico or Canada . No political views needed.
thanks in advance for your inputs!

 

[tajkd]

I've been trying for two years. There are groups going already but few that are admitting single (out of group) divers. Try contacting Ocean Doctor here. They haven't been a great help for me personally but perhaps they will satisfy your needs.

 

[Lorenzoid]

Not sure if this is what tajkd is referring to, but is there anything available for divers under the "people-to-people" visits that are now being allowed? Even with the relaxed restrictions that allow "people-to-people" visits, it's still difficult and expensive for US persons to legally visit Cuba. From what I've seen, the "people-to-people" cultural exchange tours have all been land based.

 

[tajkd]

Not sure if this is what tajkd is referring to, but is there anything available for divers under the "people-to-people" visits that are now being allowed? Even with the relaxed restrictions that allow "people-to-people" visits, it's still difficult and expensive for US persons to legally visit Cuba. From what I've seen, the "people-to-people" cultural exchange tours have all been land based.

This one has a cultural exchange, conservation education on land, and then a week on a live-aboard.

 

[Lorenzoid]

This one has a cultural exchange, conservation education on land, and then a week on a live-aboard.

And you still haven't been successful getting a place? Sheesh!

 

[chauncy19]

thanks for the information. I am curious though about people who have traveled to Cuba, their experience and any of their recommendations about diving, where to go, and where to stay. I figure I am on my own about getting there.
appreciate the above link though.

 

[tajkd]

And you still haven't been successful getting a place? Sheesh!

Bottom line is that this operator is booking with clubs to fill three! boats on this trip. Many folks have already gone. I am a single and they have not admitted any single divers to my knowledge. I'm apparently on a waiting list but the communication is sketchy at best. It could be from either the US agent Ocean Doctor or from the Cuba side. Do me a favor - don't rub it in. I am still dying to go.

 

[Lorenzoid]

Bottom line is that this operator is booking with clubs to fill three! boats on this trip. Many folks have already gone. I am a single and they have not admitted any single divers to my knowledge. I'm apparently on a waiting list but the communication is sketchy at best. It could be from either the US agent Ocean Doctor or from the Cuba side. Do me a favor - don't rub it in. I am still dying to go.

Well, there's always the illicit way for an American to dive in Cuba, though perhaps that means forgoing a liveaboard, and also I would never advocate breaking the law on a public forum. Speaking hypothetically, if an American were not concerned with the legalities of his visit, are there other liveaboard options in Cuba?

 

[tajkd]

Well, there's always the illicit way for an American to dive in Cuba, though perhaps that means forgoing a liveaboard, and also I would never advocate breaking the law on a public forum. Speaking hypothetically, if an American were not concerned with the legalities of his visit, are there other liveaboard options in Cuba?

There seem to be only two that I see online but who knows what the future holds. The organization working with Ocean Doctor has three boats. That should satisfy a whole bunch of divers.

 

[Skinsfan0260]

Fly out of Toronto or better yet Montreal. You can pickup a flight and accommodationsdeal to Cayo Largo on the Caribbean side of the island. This is suppose to be Cuba's scuba mecca.