Dive 'Jardines De La Reina', the Last Untouched Sanctuary of the Caribbean
Overall Rating
Our first contact with Cuba and Havana went rather well. We were picked up at the airport as planned. The trip in the shared taxi went smoothly, and we got to know the local transportation and road infrastructure. The welcome at the hotel was very good, as were the rooms and bedding. The only downside was breakfast, and that was just because I was missing a fresh juice. The transfer bus was there; I just hadn't realized it would take 8 hours to reach our embarkation destination. Arriving on board in the evening for the Mojito welcome! At first glance, the boat is spacious and well-organized for photographer divers. Large tables at eye level are available for handling housings and loading lights. There are areas for drying wetsuits and other swimsuits, as well as individual crates for storing small equipment. Overall, the dive area is truly remarkable for its space and layout. The cabins are spread over three levels. The ones I had the opportunity to "visit" on the ground floor were quite a good size (8 to 10 m²) plus a bathroom (shower, sink, and a proper toilet for a boat) and functional air conditioning. The cabin layout allows for storage of clothes and bags for the stay (a locker is available in each cabin). The cabins adjacent to ours were equipped with small balconies. Still on the ground floor, there is a large lounge with a giant screen, video equipment, and a 110V charging station (110V only...). First level: outdoor lounge and 30-seat restaurant for meals. 2nd level: sundeck, 15 deckchairs available, a working Jacuzzi, a bar and armchairs for evenings with guests, an exceptional view, and more. The crew takes great care of everyone at all times (hot towels after rinsing with fresh water upon returning from a dive). Meal-wise, we had a great time (lobster, local fish, local vegetables, rice, and fresh fruit every time), with a special mention for breakfast after the first dive despite the lack of fresh juice. Division of guests: Russians, Americans, Japanese, Dutch, and French. Another permanent and unwanted guest: THE MOSQUITO! Even with the air conditioning on, it's still active and very present... (I'm a mosquito magnet, repellent is necessary and I had some, but for the cabin, you need a can of spray...) Finally, for the dives, We had 24 dives offered, 23 of which were doable, we did 18 by choice, my buddy and I considering the 4th dive as possibly one too many (the chamber is really too far away). At no time did the staff ask us for proof of our qualifications (cards), the check dive was a farce, probably the worst site in the area... there were 5 of us, 2 3-star instructors, 2 dive masters, 1 advanced... The dives were organized into three groups and therefore 3 dive boats on 3 different sites: the Russians, the Americans, and the others. So there were only 6 or 7 of us on the site, a real luxury... The following 17 sites were of very good quality. and very diverse, shallow depths for French people... (20m on average) lots of sharks chasing the yellow tanks of the various staff masters. Caribbean flora and fauna. Average temperature, 30°C. Lots of particles and therefore average visibility (the dive master lost us twice, it's true that for a guide, with a camera, it's complicated to guide his group...). We really had the opportunity to do some beautiful dives, a little short, no doubt, but lasting an average of one hour :) How to end an almost perfect week. Our return to Havana, the bus was full, visiting tourist sites and therefore errands for the drivers and other staff members. (That's the deal) Our stay in Havana was quite pleasant, the B&B was very good (unfortunately the hosts only spoke Cuban and I regret not having chatted with them more). Unfortunately, we were out of sync with the locals, and the various sites/museums we would have liked to visit were closed or under construction. In conclusion, next time, you should plan time to visit Cuba in addition to the cruise. Travel time to the cruise pickup location is very long. It might be worth planning two days of sightseeing before the cruise, with a meeting in Santa Clara and then a three-day return trip visiting the Atlantic coast.
Why We Love It
Little seems to have changed since Christopher Columbus discovered these pristine reefs, which he named 'Gardens of the Queen' to honor his patron, Queen Isabella I of Spain. With fewer than three thousand divers allowed per year, it is one of the last relatively intact reef habitats in the Caribbean. Protected since 1996, it hosts many endangered and vulnerable species, such as staghorn and elkhorn corals, hawksbill turtles, and up to 10 species of sharks. You might even spot some American crocodiles lying motionless in the mangroves.
Conservation
The dive operator partners with many scientists, including world-famous oceanographer Sylvia Earle. Jardines de la Reina is a Mission Blue Hope Spot. During your trip, you will likely have the opportunity to converse daily with local scientists onboard.
Who Is It For?
For divers of all levels, in search of the most pristine coral reefs of the Caribbean. Photographers will enjoy seeing sharks and crocodiles.
Prices and Dates
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Program
All guests are granted a certificate of participation and completion of this humanitarian and environmental project, along with a full itinerary of activities that will certify them as legal under US and Cuban regulations.
Departure and arrival is from Juraco, about 3-4 hours drive from Santa Clara or Camagüey, or 5 hours from Havana.
Dive Briefing!
Marine Life
- Healthy gardens of soft corals, sponges incredibly diversified in colors and shapes, sea fans, black corals, staghorn corals and elkhorn corals are found throughout the marine park
- Caribbean reef, lemon, hammerhead, nurse, blacktip, and silky sharks - whose population has been depleted by over 90% throughout the Caribbean, freely approach and investigate divers
- You'll also get to dive along massive Goliath, Nassau, black and tiger groupers, snappers, hawksbill turtles, tarpons, stingrays and eagle rays, and Caribbean reef squids
- In the mangroves and sea grasses, American crocodiles lie motionless, their eyes breaking the calm surface
Dive Conditions
- Season: all year round for diving. October to May is the dry season, bringing exceptional visibility and good opportunities for photographers. June to August is the reproduction season, with more fish around
- Currents: little current
- Visibility: 30 meters (98 ft)
- Water Temperature: 25° to 29°C (77° to 84°F)
- Depth: both shallow and deep dives
Dive Sites
- The Gardens of the Queen is made up of 250 virgin coral and mangrove islands, extending along 75 miles of pristine coastline
- About 50 dive sites, offering a great diversity in topography, with coral gardens, drop-offs, gentle slopes and walls
- Dive sites are well protected from the winds and sea currents
- You will go dive every day in small groups - only one boat per dive site is allowed at a time
- You will use a skiff to explore new sites every day
The Team
- Dive operator with more than 20 years of experience in the area
- Languages spoken: English, Spanish
- Maximum divers per guide: 6
Safety Information
- Equipment Recommended: a 3mm shorty is recommended except for January and February when it is better to have a 5mm full wetsuit. Equipment can be rented on board - ask us.
- Insurance: Both dive insurance and travel insurance are mandatory. We recommend DAN Europe that has plans to cover both - ask us for a quote.
- Nearest Hyperbaric Chamber: Havana
Visas, Flights, and More!
Visa Requirements
- Check the current visa policy that applies for your country.
- Since January 2022, all travelers must fill a DViajeros Form 72 hours prior to their arrival in Cuba.
- American citizens: Tourist trips to Cuba from the United States (even in transit) remain, in principle, prohibited, regardless of the person's nationality. However, the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued general authorizations for 12 categories of travelers who do not need to request additional authorization to travel to Cuba - see travel categories allowed on the OFAC website.
- This liveaboard trip to Gardens of the Queen in Cuba (7 nights starting from ...) is compliant with the American authorizations.
How to Get There
- The dive operator will pick you up at your hotel in La Havana, and bring you to Juraco Harbor. It's a five-hour drive.
- You can also fly to Jardines del Rey (CCC) International Airport, Santa Clara Airport (SNU), or Camaguey Airport (CMW). Count on a three to four hour drive to Juraco.
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- Cuba is subject to Dengue and Zika. Take necessary precautions to avoid them.
- Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, a rash guard, a sweater or a lightweight jacket, insect repellent, a mask and snorkel, and any prescription medicine you might need.
Destinations
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Dive Operators
Booking Fees
