{"id":20845,"date":"2018-04-20T11:06:53","date_gmt":"2018-04-20T15:06:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/?p=20845"},"modified":"2020-06-22T16:18:57","modified_gmt":"2020-06-22T20:18:57","slug":"scuba-diving-cuba","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/scuba-diving-cuba\/","title":{"rendered":"Scuba diving in Cuba: 2018 guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

There\u2019s more to Cuba\u2019s famed beaches and jade waters than beach chairs and the relaxation we all look forward to on vacation. Just offshore, find a whole new world with reefs, shipwrecks, coral, and plentiful fish and marine life to explore by scuba diving in Cuba. With some of the best scuba diving in Cuba just a short distance – or swim – from the famed all-inclusive resort hotspots, the island is a must-visit for scuba divers of all experience levels and expertise. <\/span><\/p>\n

With <\/span>scuba diving sites<\/span><\/a> around the island, divers will find sites for reef diving, shipwrecks, caves and grottos, and international dive centers, with dives ranging from beginner to more advanced. Scuba diving in Cuba tends to be inexpensive, but there are no <\/span>PADI-certified diving sites<\/span><\/a> in the area, due to the U.S. Embargo and political situation between Cuba and the United States.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"School<\/a>

School of snappers on scuba diving trip in Cuba<\/p><\/div>\n

Cuba, in particular the northern cayo region, has the second largest coral reef in the world, making for the perfect inexpensive scuba diving vacation to see plentiful fish, sharks, grouper, and aquatic life. Cuba also has a protected area, allowing fewer than 1,500 scuba divers into the archipelago of Jardines de la Reina each year, a 367-square mile national park (that\u2019s three times the size of the Florida Keys!) that\u2019s a bit of a secret, and a rose among thorns in the scuba diving community. The area offers unprecedented diving with untouched eco-life as the Cuban government has aggressively protected the area.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to go scuba diving in Cuba?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Since the majority of tourists visiting Cuba do so on an <\/span>all-inclusive vacation<\/span><\/a>, the most popular war to experience scuba diving in Cuba is through an excursion, organized by tour companies that offer excursions to resort and all-inclusive guests. These can be booked once you are in-destination, though some companies, like <\/span>Nexus Tours<\/span><\/a>, allow for advance booking. <\/span><\/p>\n

Advance divers may want to visit the dive centers and sites in the Cuba destination they are visiting directly, rather than book a tour or excursion. Divers will be asked if they are PADI-certified and have their PADI card to show, to ensure the safety of the divers and liability of the dive center. <\/span><\/p>\n

Transportation to these dive centers from <\/span>Cuba all-inclusive resorts<\/span><\/a> must be arranged, but taxis and public transportation in Cuba is very cheap. Your hotel or resort will have a list of dive centers in the area.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Group<\/a>

Group of divers on a stop scuba diving in Cuba<\/p><\/div>\n

Where is the best scuba diving in Cuba?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Camaguey<\/span><\/p>\n