CLICK ON ANY GRAPHIC FOR FULL PAGE APPRECIATION

Right at the entrance of the Gulf of Mexico, you will find the Big Island and its cohort of myriad's of keys and islets which, all together, make up over 5000 kilometers of coasts, washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean on the north and by the Caribbean Sea on the south. Standing on a large, exuberant and totally virgin coral reef, Cuba is a sunken paradise for those with a passion for diving.

The waters around the Cuban archipelago are characterized by their gentleness -- mild tides and no strong currents --, their warmth -- over 240C all year round --, their virgin condition -- no pollution and well-preserved bottoms --, the diversity of its underwater flora and fauna, and the total absence of aggressive animals. All this makes the coral reef the best preserved ecosystem in the country, with an average horizontal visibility of 40 meters.

The Cuban reef forms a submarine string of coral around the entire archipelago, both north and south of the island. It is made up mainly of full-grown corals. Rocky buttresses of manifold structures are shaped by these corals, some incredibly resembling majestic castles or gothic pillars. They are the habitat and refuge of other marine species such as sponges in the guise of cups, tubes or branches; sumptuous gorgonians that sway with the waves; algae of capricious growth, and in the crevices and pits: octopus, sea urchins, starfish, polychetes and crustaceans. And amid this submerged tropical garden, colorful fish rhythmically make their way looking for sustenance.

The Cuban seas know of no seasons. All year is a good time to go diving in search of attractive and indescribable seascapes, coral gardens, caves, gorgonians and sponge prairies, shipwrecks with a story to tell, wars, narrow channels, tunnels and many other charms that defy the imagination.

To make it easy for you to enjoy this underwater paradise, Marlin S.A., the Cubanacan Group's Marina and Nautical Base Company, operates a number of fully equipped Diving Centers all around the country and close to the hotel network. Diving lessons are available for beginners and experienced divers will find that this is a great opportunity to discover a totally new and thrilling new world while practicing their sport.

The Marlin Diving Centers offer a varied program of activities which include resort courses for divers-to-be, up to advanced instructor or specialized courses, diving in the coral harriers, caves, shipwrecks, night diving and many other modalities for certified divers, in areas you can sail to in only a few minutes.

Marlin Diving Centers have expert instructors certified by prestigious international agencies such as the American Canadian Underwater Certification (ACUC) and the Confederation Mondiale d'Activites Subaquatiques (CMAS), and all the diving equipment and craft required internationally for the practice of this sport.

The Diving Centers have specially designed programs for you to enjoy underwater thrills at depths of no more than 40 meters. Divers are our focus of attention, in full compliance with all safety measures.

This is the capital city of the Republic of Cuba. In the colonial part of the city, declared Heritage of Mankind by UNESCO, you will find the impressive presence of old military fortresses, such as the Castle of the Three Kings of El Morro, La Cabana and La Punta; Civil and religious buildings such as El Templete, the Cathedral and the Palace of the Captains General. Modern Havana has the country's most important production and research centers and hosts most of the cultural infrastructure of the city. Modern buildings on beautiful avenues make up the architectural environment of this part of town, which also harbors the beach area, with an important share of the tourism infrastructure.

In Havana, with the Atlantic lapping its shores, there are two Diving Centers operating: Blue Reef, at the Cubanacan Cocomar Villa and La aguja at the Marina Hemingway Tourist Residential Complex. They share the same diving area, which has a very peculiar characteristic: the island shelf drops off by steps down into the abyss.

The diving area runs parallel to the coast and the sites are at depths of between 5 and 35 meters. They comprise beautiful prairies carpeted by corals, gorgonians and sponges with schools of tiny fish swimming among them, small caves or niches and shipwrecks with curious histories.

Coral Island,

Depth: 25 Meters

Description: A merchant ship that caught fire and ran aground. It is divided into three sections, one of which, the stern became a haven for various fish species. Its surface is ideal for the development of corals, hydrozoa, by valves, sponges and algae.

Sanchez Barcastegui,

Depth 25 meters

Description: An old armored Spanish Vessel that foundered in 1895 after colliding with another ship while maneuvering to enter Havana Harbor. Among the remnants of the Man-o-War, you can find Tarpon, Snook and Grouper....

Comodoro: 

Depth 24 meters

Description: Intentionally sunken fishing boat turned into an artificial reef. Extremely well preserved; fish of varying sizes roam inside and outside of the magnificent artificial accommodation.

Canto de Viriato: 

Depth 30 Meters

Description: staggered coral formations resembling small hills that drop to a depth of 20 to 30 meters. Adult and juvenile fish and several lobster species may be found there.

Cabezo de Las Chopas: 

Depth: 15 meters

Description: There is vertical wall in this area that drops from 10 to 15 meters. Close by there are big outcroppings peppering the sandy bottom, and a cave that serves as refuge for many fish species. There are also pillar corals large sponges known as Venus Basket and schools Of adult chubs swimming about with the divers.

Canto de Hollywood:Depth: 15 meters

Description: Wall with caves, a small tunnel and abundant corals, sponges and gorgonians; coral reef fish species forming a multicolored cloud around the divers.

Los Paraguas de Baracoa Depth: 35 meters

Description: Flat coral formation, mainly which, when seen from the surface, resembles large umbrellas, hence its name.  .Schools of adult fish and large sponges, together with colonies of black coral.

Click on any of the above to see what we have in store for you at the following Dive Centers thruought Cuba

RETURN TO THE CUBAN CONNECTION MAIN PAGE

IS A COPYRIGHT OF EAGLE ENTERPRISES LTD. 9/10/1998