Cuba Diving by Liveaboard

Located 60 miles south of Cuba is the Jardines De La Reina (Gardens of the Queen) National Park. Encompassing a chain of 250 pristine coral and mangrove islands it's widely considered to offer the healthiest reefs found anywhere in the Caribbean alongside abundant populations of shark species.

Underwater topography ranges from fringing corals reefs to seagrass beds which play host to a diverse range of marine life from large pelagics to small colourful reef fish and critters. The vibrant reefs are characterized by fields of soft corals and Gorgonian fans. Marine life highlights include enormous huge Goliath Grouper, schooling snapper and beautiful angelfish. We should encounter sharks during the safari as well as eagle rays and Hawksbill turtles.

Diving in Cuba by liveaboard is an outstanding opportunity to experience the country at it's best.

This group charter (24 divers) is on board the ‘Jardine Aggressor II Liveaboard’ offering 6 days of adventure where each day will offer something different below the surface. We will be travelling safari style to remote reefs to dive the very best sites that Cuba has to offer, as well as ensuring there is enough time top side to relax and enjoy our comfortable liveaboard yacht.

Diving in Cuba has a variety of marine habitats located throughout the park including beautiful coral gardens in the shallows to seagrass beds and eerie mangrove channels all of which offer a wealth of diverse diving experiences and marine life encounters.

During the week, Cuban specialists will host nightly discussions and presentations on the marine environment, conservation, and the importance of this magnificent ecosystem. Interactive exchanges will discuss how Cuba has maintained one of the healthiest marine ecosystems in the Caribbean.

As an optional addition, we offer the chance for a six-night /seven-day pre-trip extension before we board liveaboard to experience some of topside delights Cuba has to offer. We start with two nights nights at the Hotel Inglaterra in Havana, followed by a night at the Hotel Le Union in Cienfuegos, two nights at the Hotel Ibero Star in Trinidad - which is the best hotel in Cuba - before heading to Camaguey, with a night at the Hotel Melia Colon.

Our schedule for the Jardines Aggressor II is as follows. It is worth noting that we are offering a six-day/seven-night pre-trip extension taking in some of the best sites that Cuba has to offer, leading us to departure day on the 23rd May 2020:

Thursday 23rd May 2020 Boarding commences at around 15:00 today. Arrivals into Camaguey International Airport need to be in the morning to ensure there is ample time for transfer to the boat. It is advised to arrive into Camaguey at least the night before. A bus transfer for the group to Jucaro will be departing from the Melia Hotel Colon after breakfast for you to board the Jardines Aggressor II. Lunch will be served on the yacht after arrival.

Thursday 23rd May - Tuesday 28 May 2020 Diving in the Gardens of the Queen and marine programs with Cuban biologists and experts.

Wednesday 29 May 2020 4 – 5 am Transfer to Havana International Airport for arrival at approximately 12 noon. Most airlines require a 2-hour check-in prior to flight. Travellers will stop for lunch on the way to the airport.

 

Prior to the liveaboards departure, we are pleased to offer an optional six days/seven-night extension which takes in some of the best that Cuba has to offer.

Our itinerary is as follows:

May 17^th

Check into the Hotel Inglaterra in Havana for two nights.  The hotel is the oldest in Cuba so has lots of charm and character and is probably the best located in the entire city given that it faces on to the central square, right in the heart of the Old Town.  It is not by any means luxury but is perfectly decent and has a nice terrace out front where you can have a drink and watch the world go by plus a bar on the roof with views and which is a good place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

May 18^th

In the morning our trained, English-speaking guides, will come and take the group out for a tour of the Old Town.  The first part will be done on foot as much of Old Havana is pedestrianised and it will take in the principal plazas, colonial buildings and fortifications, whilst hearing about the history of the city.  After seeing the Old Town, the group will be collected by six restored Classic 1950s Old American Cars (Cadillacs, Pontiacs, Chevrolets, or similar) and taken to see the rest of the city including the vast Plaza de la Revolucion and the former home of Ernest Hemingway which is now a museum.  There will also be a cruise along the famous panoramic seafront drive known as the Malecon, and lunch will be provided in a typical Cuban restaurant (included in the cost).

The evening will be free through our reps will be on hand to give advice, help with restaurant reservations, etc.

May 19^th

This morning the people carriers/guides/drivers will collect the group early and depart Havana towards the old colonial port city of Cienfuegos on Cuba’s south coast.  Cienfuegos has both French and Spanish colonial architectural influences and is one of Cuba’s friendliest cities.  On arrival, there will be a tour of the city. The evening will be free.

Check into the Hotel La Union for one night.  This is the only surviving colonial-era hotel in the city and is a stunning building located right in the very heart of Cienfuegos.  It is generally considered to be the best hotel in town (Trip Advisor ranks it as the number 1 place to stay) and has a nice pool as well as a roof terrace with views.

May 20^th

After breakfast, the group will head to the city of Santa Clara which was a centre of the Cuban Revolution. The famous revolutionary Che Guevara is buried here, and the group will visit his huge mausoleum and the museum about his life.  Afterwards, the group will continue to Trinidad – a real highlight of any visit to Cuba and where there will be a tour of the town on arrival.  The evening will be free and there are plenty of small restaurants in the town as well as several live music venues plus our rep there will be on hand.

Two nights booked in the 5-star Grand Hotel Iberostar Trinidad.  This is one of the best hotels in Cuba and has a great location as well as good food, very nice rooms, great service, etc.

May 21^st

Today the group will tour Trinidad and the surrounding areas (including the Valle de Los Ingenios, a nearby UNESCO World Heritage Site), though there is also the option to visit Playa Ancon, a beautiful beach located about 15 minutes from the town.

May 22^nd

After breakfast, the group will head towards the city of Camaguey – another UNESCO World Heritage Site.  During the journey, there will be a stop at, and tour of, the lovely small colonial city of Sancti Spiritus which has a beautifully restored historic centre and is home to Cuba’s oldest church.

One night booked in the historic Melia Hotel Colon which is perfectly located in the heart of Camaguey and has lots of charm and character.

May 23^rd

This morning the group will have a comprehensive tour of Camaguey including all the main plazas, several interesting churches and the Cathedral, as well as the attractive local food market which is also in the historic centre of town.  Later in the day, the group will be taken to Santa del Sur where they’ll say goodbye to the guides/drivers and join up with the liveaboard.

PRICE:

£TBC per person (Twin/Double Share)

Optional six-day/seven-night land tour - £TBC

INCLUSIONS:

• Return airport transfers
• 7 nights’ accommodation and full board (all meals)
• 5 1/2 days of diving and conservation program with marine experts
• Complimentary beer, wine and soft drinks onboard the Jardine Aggressor II
• Services of a dive guide and boat skiff for diving excursions each day

EXCLUSIONS:

• International/Domestic flights
• Nitrox & Equipment Rental
• Tips
• Travel insurance
• Dinner on the final evening
• Port and Park Fees (US$290 per person)

Please note we can no longer accept PayPal as a payment method for confirming this tour.  

The Jardine Aggressor II is a 135ft world-class liveaboard yacht complete with 12 cabins which come equipped with private bathrooms, showers and air conditioning. The onboard menu features chef-prepared international cuisine catering for all dietary requirements (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free etc), as well as offering soft drinks, beer and wine complimentary. All guests are welcome to bring a bottle of their favourite liquor if they chose to.

As well as a spacious lounge, the ship has a large sun deck, bar, grill and hot tub with internet service available through the satellite system. At night presentations will be hosted in the lounge, as well as the opportunity for night diving, movies and games. A small library of books for exchange is also maintained onboard.

The ship comes complete with a crew of 12 on hand to ensure comfort and satisfaction for all guests. Most of our dive excursions are made from the deck at the rear of the yacht and equipped tender for easy pickups from dive sites when needed. The tour will also be fully escorted and hosted by a member of our team.

Mastercard and Visa are both accepted onboard.

Flight options leaving from the UK to Cuba's Santa Clara Airport (SNU) has regular flights routing indirectly via Montreal (YUL)  with an average travel time of 12 hours.

From the US many flights route directly from the major hubs with an average travel time of 1-2 hours to both Santa Clara (SNU) and Camaguey (CMW) airports.

23rd - 29th May 2020 - Available

 

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