Cuba
Overview
Cuba's reefs are among the most pristine in the Caribbean. Decades of limited tourism and a strong marine conservation ethic have left the underwater world largely untouched. Jardines de la Reina — the Gardens of the Queen — is a 250-kilometre-long protected archipelago off the south coast that many consider the finest diving in the Caribbean.
Access to Jardines de la Reina is strictly controlled, with only a handful of liveaboards permitted to operate. The result is extraordinary: silky sharks, bull sharks, crocodiles, and enormous grouper that have never been hunted. The fish are so unafraid of divers that they approach out of curiosity.
The Bay of Pigs (Bahía de Cochinos) on the south coast offers dramatic wall diving with vertical drops beginning just metres from shore. María la Gorda on the western tip provides calm, clear water and exceptional coral health. Cuba rewards divers willing to navigate the logistics.
Quick Facts
- LocationGreater Antilles
- Dive Sites58 profiled
- AccessLiveaboard recommended
- Jardines AccessPermit required
- CertificationOpen Water minimum
- Best ForPristine reefs, sharks, solitude
- Operators3 vetted
- Liveaboards2 operating
Top Dive Sites
Jardines de la Reina — Farrallones
The crown jewel of Cuban diving. Silky sharks, bull sharks, and enormous grouper patrol pristine coral gardens. The fish here have never been hunted and show no fear of divers.
Jardines — Pipin's Garden
Named after a legendary Cuban divemaster, this site features extraordinary coral density and fish life. Caribbean reef sharks are a constant presence.
Bay of Pigs — El Caletón
Shore diving directly from the beach into a dramatic wall system. The Bay of Pigs wall begins in just 3 metres and drops to over 200 metres, with excellent coral and fish life.
María la Gorda
Cuba's westernmost dive destination offers calm, clear water and some of the most colourful coral in the country. Excellent for photography and macro diving.
Jardines — Avalon Wreck
A small vessel sunk deliberately within the Jardines de la Reina protected zone. Now heavily encrusted and home to large grouper and moray eels.
Cayo Largo — Los Ballenatos
Accessible reef diving off Cayo Largo, a resort island on Cuba's south coast. Good for beginners with calm conditions, turtles, and colourful reef fish.
What You'll Encounter
Dive Safety Reminder
Access to Jardines de la Reina requires booking through an authorised liveaboard operator — independent diving is not permitted. Bull shark encounters are common and require experienced guides. Always follow liveaboard crew instructions and never dive alone.
Dive Operators in Cuba
3 personally vetted operators — evaluated for safety, expertise, and environmental practices.
Avalon Cuban Diving
The premier liveaboard operator for Jardines de la Reina — the only way to access this protected reserve. 7-night itineraries with up to 4 dives daily. Silky sharks, bull sharks, and pristine coral.
Marlin Dive Centre — María la Gorda
The only dive operator at Cuba's westernmost tip. Calm, clear water and exceptional coral health. All-inclusive resort packages available. Ideal for those wanting land-based Cuba diving.
Club Octopus — Cayo Largo
Resort-based dive centre on Cayo Largo del Sur. Good for beginners and those wanting easy, accessible diving from a resort base. Limited advanced options.
Ready to Dive Cuba?
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