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East of the isle of Youth, the islets of the canarreos Archipelago strech out to Cayo Largo, where sites are also visiteded by divers. The Jardines de la Reina Archipelago, off the southern coast of Ciego de Avila and Camaguey Province, offer also some very attractive reefs, as are the coastal waters near the colonial city of Trinidad.On the northern coast of Cuba, the clear turquoise waters of famous Varadero beach reveal their wonders to admiring snorkelers and scuba divers. Scuba-diving programs are also available to visitors on the northern coast, on the beautyfull Esmeralda beach, near Guardalavaca, in the holguin province.
This six kilometer coastal strip between Pointe Frances and Point Pedernales, on the southwestern shore of the isle of Youth, take is name from the legendary history of cockiness and cruelty that grew up around such names as Morgan, Drake, Jol and the other intrepid adventurers who marauded the seas and hid out in the coves along the coast.Shipwrecks and treasures are only part of the attraction along the pirate coast, however. The main interest for scuba divers is the abrupt drop-off from the island shelf into the golf of Mexico, with is spectacular coralline side that provides an ideal habitat for dozens of coral families, gorgonians, sponges, mollusks, crustaceans, chelonians, pelagic species and multicolored tropical fish.This vivid landscap, inhabited by some 1500 species, offers infinite variety and unending fascination for the scuba diver. Marked scuba diving sites on the Pirate Coast: Black Coral Wall, Parrotfish Valley, Tunel of Love, Blue Cave, Mystery Cave, Hiden Passage, Tarpon Cave, Deep Cave, Black Grotto, Coral Rock, Passage to the Deep, The jump, Pirate's Anchor and much more.
ISLE OF YOUTH - or - (Isle of Pines)
El Colony Hotel
A 25 mile drive south from Nueva Gerona brings visitors to the Colony Hotel, wich is also Cuba's International Scuba-Diving Center.
Because of its romantic setting on the shore of Siguena Cove, surrounded by palm trees and lush vegetation, this hotel is also a favorite for honeymooners.
It as 67 rooms and 7 suites, all air conditioned, and each has its private bath. Restaurant, cafeteria, cabaret, bar solarium and gift shops complete the indoor facilities.
Just outside is a large swimming pool and, beyond it, a sandy beach extends to the water, with a long dock built out from the shore.
This section as just been renovated and offer the best accomodation. Voyages Aquanautes could offer you Hotel or bungalow accommodation
Maria Lagorda Hotel & Bungalows
Located four hours by road from East side of Havana, this Cubain diving destination is one of the best diving spot through Cuba with the Ile of Youth.
We offer program's as short as 3 days and as long as you want to stay there.
The distance from the hotel to the reef do not exceed 15 minutes by boat and the reef is virgin and fabulous.
Bungalow section
A new section as been recently added close to entrance and reception.
With more than twenty nicely appointed bungalows offering private balcony, large bed room with 2 separate bed, air conditionning and fan, a bathrom with shower.
Located close to the sea, the dive center and the restaurant.
VARADERO
Varadero is probably the most renown area in Cuba for the longest beach in all carreabean, offering different level of hotels from standars accomodation to Deluxe all inclusive style. This is a very good diving location for begener and advance divers who have a choice of more than 26 sites, starting at the western end of the Hicacos Peninsula, off the three-kilometre coastline of Matanzas Bay, amd extending all along the 20 kilometer beach. Underwater irregularities in this zone provide a landscape full of caves, rocky hillocks, caverna and channels that run out toward the dropp-off.
It took years before the name of this beach, located on the northern coast of the eastern province of Holguin, was finally determined. At one time it was called Guardalavaca y Guardalabarca (Guard the Cow and Guard the Ship) because of the illicit trade from inhabitants carried on with a host of sea marauders, who would hide their contreband cattle aboard ship in one of the many cays or coves along this coast whenever the authorities came around.
Today Playa Esmaralda beach offer 2 beautyfull superior's hotel, the Rio the Luna and the Rio the Mares, from the Melia chain.
The very professionnal dive operation and probably the largest in all Cuba * Easy Diver, dive center * offer all level of CMAS training and certification. More than 30 different sites are accessible from 5 to 25 minutes of the center.
| Area: | Caribbean |
| Capital City: | Havana |
| Language: | Spanish and english |
| Electricity: | 110 / 220 Volts, 50 Hz depending on provinces |
| Passport: | Mandatory |
| Visa: | Verify with your local Ambassy |
| Vaccination: | Verify with your medical center |
| Currency: | Americain dollar |
