A Guide to Diving in Cuba

Visa difficulties have put a lot of tourists, especially Americans off visiting but this is all about to chance now the restrictions have been relaxed. There are so many reasons you might want to choose Cuba as your next dive destination. The government imposed fishing restrictions to ensure a positive future for the local marine life and the dive sites are incredible.

You could also join a Cuba liveaboard diving excursion where you can visit more remote dive sites. Cuba is also a great country to go diving if you are passionate about underwater photography, you can get snaps of vibrant corals, lobsters, sharks, eels, turtles, red grouper and barracuba.

 

Best Dive Sites in Cuba

  • Jardines de la Reina is possibly the top dive site in Cuba, here you can expect to see barracuda, jewfish, bull ray, sea turtles and reef sharks
  • Isla de la Juventud - a magnificent marine reserve with walls, caves, canyons, wrecks and coral reefs to explore
  • Ojo del Mégano - a popular sea safari and dive cruise destination only a few miles from the mainland coast
  • Avalon - expect to see lots of sharks
  • Punta Frances Marine National Park is a spectacular destination with lots of tropical fish
  • Cayo Largo
  • Cayo Coco
  • Holguin
  • Varadero
  • Bay of Pigs
  • Maria la Gorda

 

Wreck Diving in Cuba

If you would like to go wreck diving we highly recommend the Cristobal Colón or USS Merrimac both in Santiago de Cuba. Both are spectacular wrecks with depths of 22-29 meters.

 

Best Time of the Year to Go Diving in Cuba

You can go diving every month of the year but we recommend visiting during dry season (November to April)

 

Cuba Diving FAQ

  • The average water temperature in Cuba during is around 25 oC
  • Visibility can be anywhere from 25 to 40 meters which is extremly good compared to other worldwide scuba destinations
  • Occassionally there are hurricanes from around August to November, these are usually every two years

 

Cost of Diving in Cuba

Prices are very competative, expect to pay more during November to April when most people visit.

 

Dive Jobs in Cuba

It can be very difficult to get dive employment in Cuba.

 

Recommend Dive Centers in Cuba

If you represent a dive center in Cuba, or if you have been diving in Cuba and would like to recommend an operator please conact us.