December in Cuba

[merlos]

Hi all guys!!
I'm planning a trip to Cuba in December, I hope for tree weeks but I'm not sure...
I'll go alone and I need some tip for the holiday

I bought the "Diving and Sorkeling in Cuba" Lonely Planet and it was a bad choise
I didn't found anythink good inside

What do you think is the best place to have a dive??
I like the south/west of the island

Many tks in advance
Merlos ^_^

 

[elbuzo]

Best diving in Cuba is Jardines de La Reina ( in my opinion best in whole caribbean ). Only one dive operator there named Avalon ( italian ) , diving trips are made by liveaboard or from a floating hotel ( La Tortuga ) anchored in a small channel . We had a boat for our small group and we were able to made 3 dives per day , usually they only do 2 dives daily . Most dive places are deep and they don't have nitrox.
You will see sharks , huge jewfish , big groupers and big snappers like no other place in the caribbean , probably you will eat more lobster in one week than in your entire life.
You will find more info in a post that i made more than 1 year ago.

If you are thinking going to Maria La Gorda ( South west ) forget it , i was there on 2001 , overfished and only divecenter very unprofesional. Also since then , 2 major hurricans hit that particular area .

At Isla de La Juventud and Cayo Largo - Archipielago Los Canarreos you can also find good diving.

On the north coast they have a very exciting shark dive ( big bulls ) at Santa Lucia .

Buena suerte

 

[alijtaylor]

Best diving in Cuba is Jardines de La Reina ( in my opinion best in whole caribbean ). Only one dive operator there named Avalon ( italian ) , diving trips are made by liveaboard or from a floating hotel ( La Tortuga ) anchored in a small channel . We had a boat for our small group and we were able to made 3 dives per day , usually they only do 2 dives daily . Most dive places are deep and they don't have nitrox.
You will see sharks , huge jewfish , big groupers and big snappers like no other place in the caribbean , probably you will eat more lobster in one week than in your entire life.
You will find more info in a post that i made more than 1 year ago.

If you are thinking going to Maria La Gorda ( South west ) forget it , i was there on 2001 , overfished and only divecenter very unprofesional. Also since then , 2 major hurricans hit that particular area .

At Isla de La Juventud and Cayo Largo - Archipielago Los Canarreos you can also find good diving.

On the north coast they have a very exciting shark dive ( big bulls ) at Santa Lucia .

Buena suerte

I agree, I dived Jardines de La Reina in January 2005. I stayed on the main boat La Tortuga and went out on a small craft each day and enjoyed three dives a day over a 6 day period. My report is here
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=87125&highlight=Jardines
Lots of sharks and good reefs with heaps of fish. Good accommodation and excellent food. Website is at www.avalons.net

The book you should have got was Cuba Scuba by Amy Houghton.

Have fun and post a report on your return.

Alison

 

[merlos]

What do you think is the the best month to go (and the cheaper too )???
I'm in trouble beetween December, Jan end Feb