While Cuba is just 90 miles south of Florida, it’s an undiscovered paradise, especially for Americans who, until recently, have been banned from visiting the country. Now that the political relations between the United States and Cuba are on the mend, Cuba is becoming a top destination spot for tourists, especially scuba divers.
Because the American market has recently opened, the country isn’t yet catering to too much tourism. This innocence gives way to pristine conditions, unobstructed by commercial fishing, all-inclusive resorts, and has arguably the Caribbean’s best-preserved marine area.
Aside from that, here are the top 7 reasons you need to go scuba diving in Cuba:
Sharks
Diving with sharks is one of the top attractions in Cuba, especially in the Gardens of the Queen. At least 6 different shark species – silky, Caribbean reef, whale sharks, and more! – can be seen in this one location.
You are guaranteed to see a shark on almost every dive you make.
Crocodiles
How many times have you been diving with saltwater crocodiles? Yeah, that’s what we thought!
Cuba is a great opportunity to see these massive creatures up close. These timid animals loiter in the shallow waters, going between the secret hideouts of the archipelago. Diving next to 2,000 pounds of reptile is an experience that you’ll never forget.
It’s like diving with dinosaurs, but don’t worry, it’s perfectly safe!
Less than 1,000 divers per year
As one of the largest and protected areas in the Caribbean, Cuba restricts the number of divers to less than 1,000. The Cuban government is serious about maintaining their precious marine park, which means they have restricted infrastructure to just a floating hotel and small fleet of liveaboards.
Getting to be one of the few that dive in Cuba each year is truly a privilege.
Pristine reefs
Cuba is one of the rare locations in the world that has an untouched ecosystem. The Gardens of the Queen’s pristine reefs is a true example of what the Caribbean was like before it was overrun with tourists and commercialized fishing.
This is one of the last underwater paradises in the world.
Amazing Marine life
Sure, there are over 200 species of sponge and 50 species of coral, but there are also rays, turtles, barracuda, snappers, and Goliath grouper.
Compared to others areas in the Caribbean, the coral and fish are healthy and abundant.
Did we also mention the sharks? There are a lot of sharks!
Easy flights
There are direct flights from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Toronto, Chicago, Philadelphia, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York, Montreal, Washington, Boston, Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, Orlando, London, and Tampa to cities all around the island.
Getting to Cuba has never been easier!
Classic cars
Ok ok. Cars on the road don’t have anything to do with diving, but we all need a bit of surface time every now and then, right? Visiting Cuba is like a time machine that brings you back 70 years – there are so many classic cars from the 1940s and 1950s that you might forget what year it is today. Well, that is until you take your smartphone out of your pocket for a picture.
Cuba is the perfect place to go to experience the beauty of the Caribbean without the crowds or massive hotels chains. Not only is the Island a unique destination, but the diving is world-class. Making just one trip to Cuba will allow you to have multiple experiences in one vacation.
We happen to know of a small, intimate group of divers are making their way to Cuba over New Year’s Eve. Want to be one of them?
Join us on the premier liveaboard Avalon I for 7 nights of pure diving bliss!
