Diving Jardines de la Reina in Cuba

[ken chung ar]

Hi all,

I am invited to give a talk in Havana, Cuba in November. I was there once in September, 2003 and dove OC in Maria la Gorda, which is located at the western tip of the island. At that time I chartered a car with a Cuban driver for my transportation between Havana Airport and Maria la Gorda. BTW, I did not get to see any divers using rebreathers there.

This time I will travel with my Evolution CCR and am planning to dive Jardines de la Reina, which is located along the southern coast of the central part of the island. The biggest problem I can expect is transportation, which is troublesome anywhere in Cuba, and it's too far for driving. Does anyone in this forum know what kind of transportation I should use from Havana to get there?

KCA

 

[VzzzBx]

I didn't think the southern coast was too far to drive. In 2006 I drove from Havana to Trinidad, which took 7 hours (because the weather was bad). Make sure you take hitchhikers. They can tell you which way to go, -- which might come in handy because there are not too many road signs.

But I wouldn't recommend driving. Diving Jardines de la Reina (as I understand it) is usualy on a liveaboard, which means you 'll have to leave your car somewhere. You 'll pay a lot of money for a car you won't use.

I suggest you 'll have a look at Casa-Cuba, The Online Cuba Travel Specialist | Scuba Diving Jardines de La Reina. They probably arrange a pick up or something.

I had good experiences with Casa Cuba and I can definitely recommend them.

 

[ken chung ar]

Hi VzzzBx,

Thank you for your advice, particularly about picking up hitchhikers. When I was on my way to Maria la Gorda in 2003, I got lost several times. I wish I had got your advice then!!

I will get in touch with Casa-Cuba and see what they say.

 

[VzzzBx]

You 're welcome. I didn't dive Jardines de la Reina, but only the Bay of Pigs/Playa Giron. Jardines de la Reina is supposed to be the best, but I definitely loved Playa Giron. Very good viz, nobody there, huge lobsters etc.

I remember getting out of Havana on the right road to was actually the hardest bit. Once out of Havana there were hitchhikers everywhere and everything went well once we started taking them with us.