Cuba diving help please

[MUFC]

My girlfriend and I are visiting Cuba later in the year and are staying at Sandals in Varadero.

Is this a good place to dive or should we travel further away.

I know next to nothing about diving in Cuba so any help is greatly appreciated.

One final point I dived in Cozumel a year or so ago, is the diving similar in Cuba.

Thank you

 

[Greg_Vic_Diver]

Diving is no where near Cozumel - I have actually dove both in the past couple years. The Sandals resort in Veradero offers free diving. They will take you out to a small reef about 40 ft under. The reef is ok, but gets boring after a while. For $50 you can dive a wreck (~90 - 100 ft) of an old russian warship that still has gun turrents and a half a missle on the deck. The wreck dive is recommended if you go.

 

[eanxmiss]

Go thru a dive travel operator before you go. You cannot arrange travel on your own their since the government owns practically everything. Even a hotel reservation becomes a nightmare. Find a Canadian or Mexican dive travel company that can arrange it for you.

 

[Tamas]

I recently spent a week in Cuba, Santiago de Cuba - Brisas Sierrra Mar. We dove, yes. It was diving but nothing spectacular as over the 7 days I counted maybe 200 fish total (include those on my dinner plate )

If you dove Cozumel, you might be disappointed. But if you go in as a dive and expect nothing more than what is available to you, you will like it. A bad dive is still better than a good day at the office.

 

[nipi]

The diving at Playa Larga & Playa Giron (Bay of Pigs) is much better than at Varadero. These are on the s. coast about 1 hour from Varadero. See if Sandals can arrange a day trip for you.

 

[VivaCaribe]

You CAN arrange diving once in Cuba, no problem. Probably cheaper. The two places considered best diving in Cuba are 1) Isla de la Juventud (Isle of Youth, or Isle of Pines) to the South. This is big walls and formations a la Cozumel. Cuba's #1 (by # of divers) spot. It is not far from Playa Giron mentioned in above post. (That would be at least easy to get to) Judventud would be a quick plane ride from Havana. Easier to get to and I think better would be ... 2) Maria la Gorda, on the Western tip. A nice 4 hr drive from Havana. Both these are top quality Caribbean diving. Diving near Varadero is not considered much good. (Varadero = Cuban Cancún, and you wouldn't find much diving in Cancún either). Have a good time.

 

[Greg_Vic_Diver]

You CAN arrange diving once in Cuba, no problem.

Can you recommend some places to do this Cuba (Varadero)? I'll probably be going back there soon as well.

 

[tvscuba]

Cuba has some great diving. I don't know about Varadero but have had good experiences diving in Cayo Largo, Cienfuegoes and Holguin.
The dive boats might be a little worn but Cuban Dive Masters are top notch.
For sure you can arrange dives once you are in Cuba and it will also be cheaper. They might not really get the whole concept of 'customer service' but I have found the staff to be genuinely helpful and caring. Relax- you are on vacation, and take a little time to get to know them, be appreciative and open.
At Cayo Largo we saw manta rays, a whale shark and lots of other interesting things. The dives there are conducted as drift dives. Holguin has good wrecks, and some swim throughs. There are some deep dive sites there and the huge and friendly groupers stand out in my memory. Cienfuegos has a couple of dive shops and quite a few and varied dive sites. Swim throughs, some amazing corals and beautiful clear water. The city of Cienfuegoes is also a gem and you are not far from the town of Trinidad which is a UNESCO designated site.

 

[VivaCaribe]

Not sure I understand your Q, Greg Vic. You can call either Maria la Gorda or Juventud dive centers while in Cuba, or fax them, or I assume email. If you are in Varadero, you'll have easy access to communications. To get to Juventud, where people may steer you (Cuba #1 dive spot), you'll need to fly. To get to Maria la Gorda, you'll need a driver/taxi which will be easy. (I rented a car but it's costly...I was doing lots of trekking.)

 

[Greg_Vic_Diver]

I was just wondering where (what places) in Varadero I could buy some diving packages from. I hear it may be cheaper to do when you arrive, I just wanted to know where to go (what dive shop, not dive location) in Varadero. Any idea?