Cuba? a country of contrasts and magical mirages. There are neighborhoods here that are scary to enter even during the day, but very close to the slums there are luxury villas.

There are islands that beckon with dense mangroves from afar, but upon closer inspection, the islands turn out to be not islands at all. The turquoise water seems to invite you to plunge into the invigorating coolness, but if you look closely, the log at the bottom takes on the very distinct outline of a crocodile.

Cuba? great place if you don't pay attention to the little things.

Mysterious islands, alluring with lush greenery, turn out to be mangroves upon closer inspection. Huge forests grow directly from the water, forming bizarre labyrinths on the water surface.

What could be more beautiful than a steel bird, majestically bathed in the rays of the setting sun?

The kingdom of Neptune of Cuba is as beautiful and rich as the above-water world. But at the same time there is always a feeling that you are not alone. Only a few seconds pass, and then they appear...

There are many of them, there are always a lot of them. And they are very curious:

They literally climb into the camera lens, showing off their kind smile :)

You can not only examine these amazing animals in detail, but also get tactile sensations.

I had never had such intimate contact with sharks before.

And it becomes clear why these places in the mangroves were called “Queen’s Gardens”.

You won't be bored, because life in the underwater world is everywhere. You just need to be careful not to accidentally step on it.

And this life, sometimes, takes on absolutely amazing shapes and sizes:

You just need to not be lazy to look around, and not get tired of being surprised.

Someone lives here:

However, you cannot forget that you are visiting for even a minute.

Big brother is watching you:

Well, you keep an eye on your little brother:

In this big zoo? in an aquarium among the mangroves, everyone is watching each other.

All this? underwater world of Cuba:

With the onset of dusk, the favorite pastime of these cute creatures is to launch a frontal attack, piercing you with a cold gaze. And turn aside at the last second:

And only with sunset comes a short intermission.

Uninhabited islands provide amazing encounters. Rat-Hutia? one of the most charming creatures that I think nature has created. They dig into a bag of food like a businessman, without burdening themselves with good manners.

And unafraid iguanas do not hesitate to take food from hands:

And, to be honest, sharks aren’t stupid to eat?

Undersea world? it's a whole universe.

With its planets and stars.

And black holes? caves, dives into which begin with loading into such a diving bus.

You jump from a height of three meters into a chasm measuring two by four meters, and you see the tops of the trees above you:

But after a few seconds this picture seems to dissolve?

And in the light of the lantern the magical world of the underwater cave opens:

There is life here too:

Which takes on the most incredible colors and shapes:

All this? the magical underwater world of Cuba.

And he will stay with you forever.

Photos of alexey-viper

/ Cuba

Cuba

When Christopher Columbus first set foot on the soil of Cuba, he, amazed by the beauty of the places that surrounded him, uttered his famous words: I have never seen anything more beautiful in my life!

And really, what could be more beautiful than the piercing blue sky, turquoise sea, endless white beaches and beautiful Creole women?

And, of course, people. People are the most important thing in Cuba. Cuba is a special, amazing world that you probably won’t find anywhere else.

Cuba (Spanish Cuba), official name - Republic of Cuba (Spanish República de Cuba), unofficial since 1959 - Liberty Island - an island state in the northern part
Caribbean Sea. The capital is the city of Havana.

Cuba is located at the junction of North, Central and South America, on the island of Cuba (the largest in the West Indies), the island of Juventud, as well as on the adjacent about 1,600 small islands and coral reefs belonging to the Greater Antilles group. The total territory is about 111 thousand km². The island is often compared to a lizard, with its body facing the Atlantic and its tail at the entrance to the Gulf of Mexico. In the south, Cuba is washed by the Caribbean Sea, in the northwest by the Gulf of Mexico, and in the northeast by the Atlantic Ocean. The coastline is characterized by deep bays and many convenient bays. The island is framed by reefs and other coral formations.

The highest point of the island is Turkino Peak 1974 m. The western and southwestern coasts are occupied by lowlands with mangrove groves.

The climate of Cuba is tropical, trade wind. The average annual temperature is 25.5 °C. The temperature of surface waters off the coast in winter is 22-24 °C, in summer - 28-30 °C. Cuba has clearly defined two climatic seasons: rainy (May-September) and dry (October-April). A feature of Cuba's climate is its typical high humidity throughout the year. In any place, the winds are characterized by a certain constancy, so you can often see trees whose trunks have a corresponding slope.

The first European to arrive here was Columbus, who landed in the east of the archipelago in October 1492. In 1511, Diego Velazquez de Cuellar subjugated the indigenous population of the islands, built Fort Baracoa and became the first Spanish governor of Cuba. By 1514, seven settlements had been founded. In 1515, Cuellar moved his headquarters to Santiago de Cuba, which became the first capital of Cuba.

The total population of Cuba is about 11 million people.

Cubans are a people of mixed origin. Descendants of Spanish colonists, remnants of local

tribes, slaves from central Africa, French immigrants from Haiti and Louisiana, as well as from Germany, Italy and Britain, the USA. In 1953, the proportion of the white population was 84%, but then decreased, mainly as a result of emigration after the revolution.

Cubans are friendly, cheerful and very temperamental people. They love to dance, so in the evenings there can be spontaneous discos right on the streets.

The official language of Cuba is Spanish; in hotel areas and tourist areas, staff also speak English. Some also speak French and Russian.

Cuba is a country where there are different faiths. Christianity (Catholicism) and the so-called “Santeria” are syncretic cults based on African pagan beliefs, mixed with the cult of some Christian saints.

The fauna of Cuba, the largest of the West Indies islands, is characterized by a small number of vertebrates and a significant number of endemics. Of the 300 species of birds that live on the island, many come only for the winter, but 20 local bird species are absolutely unique, such as the enchantingly colored Cuban flatbill and the Cuban trogon (the national bird of Cuba). The Cuban Trogon's striking red, white and blue plumage matches the colors of the national flag. When deprived of its freedom, a Trogon is believed to die of a broken heart. The smallest bird in the world lives here - the bee hummingbird, weighing only 2 grams.

Among the most colorful representatives of the Cuban fauna are macaws, distinguished by their extremely variegated colors, colorful curved beak and very loud voice. 17 species of these amazing creatures live here. Parrots lead a predominantly gregarious lifestyle and periodically fill the Cuban forests with completely unimaginable cries.

There are 23 species of bats living in Cuba and its surrounding islands. Typical insects are termites and kokuyo fireflies, about which Main Reid wrote that “if you plant
a dozen of these insects in a glass vessel, then by their light it will be possible to read the smallest seal”...

In addition, almost three quarters of the 150 species of reptiles and amphibians living in Cuba are endemic (some of them are also rare - say, the Cuban crocodile), as are a significant part of butterflies and other animals.

The American manatee (Trichechus manatus), a genus of mammals from the order of sirenians or herbivorous whales, lives near the coast and in rivers. American manatees live in families. They appear to be monogamous and both animals of each pair are very attached to each other. The female gives birth to one or two young. It turned out that manatees are easily tamed.

There are still deer in the forests of Cuba - a traditional object of hunting in Cuba. There are no poisonous snakes or animals dangerous to humans in Cuba, with the exception of the Cuban crocodile.

The official flower of Cuba is the mariposa, a flower of the ginger family that symbolizes purity, rebellion and independence. It is found in wet river deltas and numerous lagoons of the island, as well as in the gardens of every self-respecting Cuban.

Diving in Cuba. Cuba is one of the best scuba diving destinations in the Caribbean. Cuba's central position in the Caribbean near other islands in the Arc of Antilles

and adjacent to continental America explains the species diversity of underwater flora and fauna representing the entire Caribbean region. A special advantage is that Cuba is surrounded by a coral reef and almost four thousand islands and islets collected in archipelagos. As a result, there are no strong currents around Cuba, which ensures horizontal visibility of up to 40 m on average. Due to the relatively shallow depths and tropical climate, the water temperature fluctuates between 24°C in winter and 29°C in summer.

The underwater world of Cuba is represented by more than 500 species of fish, 200 species of sponges (round, tubular, branched), a wide variety of mollusks, jellyfish, algae, corals, etc.

The development of diving in Cuba is based on the principles of protecting and preserving underwater ecosystems. Most dive sites have been declared protected areas. On almost all the coasts of Cuba, as well as on the islands surrounding Cuba, there are water sports centers managed by specialized companies and with their own boats equipped for diving.

And what is there, under the surface of the water? Travel agency "Dream Land" offers diving in Cuba! Plunge into a fantastic world of sea creatures and corals, pirate ships and reefs. On the pages of our website you will find tours at competitive prices.

Thanks to its special tropical climate, diving in Cuba attracts tourists from all over the world and is popular all year round. The water temperature is quite comfortable for diving - from 24ºС in winter to 29ºС in summer. The underwater world of Cuba lives its own life, which never ceases to amaze scientists and tourists with its abundance of shapes and colors. Everyone who decides to dive does not remain indifferent to these amazing creatures of nature. The marine environment of Cuba and adjacent islands is home to about 200 species of sponges, 500 species of fish and a wide variety of jellyfish, mollusks, algae, etc. Most dive sites are protected areas.

Diving in Cuba is a wonderful and romantic adventure into the underwater world. It can be carried out on the entire coast and all the islands where there are yachting and fishing centers with their own vessels, equipped specifically for diving and with the help of an instructor with many years of experience.

Tourists are offered:

• Modern professional equipment;
• snorkeling;
• scuba diving;
• day and night dives;
• diving up to 40 meters.

Did you know that the seabed around Cuba is considered the largest ship graveyard in the world? That's why diving in Cuba is a fabulous find for the treasure-obsessed! In ancient times, the Silver Route passed through Cuba, along which the Spaniards brought precious stones, gold and silver from the New World to Europe. They say that ships sank under the weight of treasures during loading without leaving the port. Scientists estimate that there are about 400 ships lying on the seabed of Havana alone!

new! Lakes of Cuba Hanabanilla, Zaza

Flora and fauna
Dolphins, tuna, marlin, swordfish, sawfish, pipefish, barracuda, rays, platyx, mackerel, whitetip gray sharks, parrots, wrasses, triggerfish, corals.

With a shelf the size of a large continent, Cuba is one of the best diving destinations in the Caribbean. Here, on 70,000 square kilometers of calm and warm waters, protected by a vast reef and surrounding islands, an entire underwater universe of the most unexpected shapes and colors thrives.
Long and narrow, with an area of ​​about 112,000 kilometers, the island of Cuba is the largest of the Antilles. The central position of Cuba in the Caribbean, close to the other islands of the Antilles and from continental America, explains the fact that the fauna living in these waters represents the entire Caribbean region with its forms and diversity. One particular advantage of diving in Cuba is that it is surrounded by a coral reef and almost four thousand islands collected in archipelagos. The result of this is the absence of strong currents around Cuba, resulting in horizontal visibility of an average of 40 meters. Thanks to the extensive and relatively shallow underwater platform that spans the island and the tropical climate, water temperatures range from 24 degrees Celsius in winter to 29 degrees in summer. This allows you to enjoy snorkeling throughout the year. Diving centers offer both snorkeling and day and night scuba diving to depths of up to 40 meters to observe coral reefs, vertical walls, shipwrecks, caves, tunnels, etc. The contrasting colors and distinctive shapes of the underwater world are represented by more than 500 different species of fish and 200 species of sponges (round, tubular and branched), a wide variety of mollusks, jellyfish, algae and other amazing creatures of nature.

The development of diving in Cuba is based on the principles of protecting and preserving underwater ecosystems. Modern equipment is available for use at all dive points, most of which are declared protected areas. Comfortable coastal hotels on almost the entire island are connected to diving centers, which creates additional opportunities for vacationers.

On the north and south coasts, as well as on the islands surrounding Cuba that host tourists, there are centers for yachting and other water sports, managed by various specialized companies with their own fleet of ships, diving equipment and other facilities. Instructors with many years of experience, accredited by the World Underwater Sports Confederation (WUAC) and certified by the American Canadian Underwater Association (ACUC), work in conjunction with medical centers and an extensive network of hyperbaric clinics. A variety of diving schools in Cuba accept everyone and issue international certificates of completion of training at various levels.

The most amazing dive sites in Cuba:

Maria la Gorda (39 points)
Designated a world biological reserve, this remote enclave on the Guanahacabibes Peninsula is inextricably linked to a history of piracy. Numerous ancient anchors and ship cannons are found at the bottom throughout this area. The diving depth here is 14 meters. Black corals are found here in abundance. More than 15 species of corals are inhabited by fish that are accustomed to human presence here. Among them: barracuda, various types of snappers, Cuban sea crucian carp, marine advocate and others. Sponges, extensive walls with grottoes, and underwater fauna seething with life are the natural attractions of this international diving center "Maria la Gorda", which has its own facilities for accommodating tourists. Located 304 km from Havana in the western province of Pinar del Rio.

Cayo Levisa (15 points)
This islet from the Los Colorados archipelago is located in the northwest of Cuba. Its coral beaches and ocean floor are incomparable. The island is surrounded by massive coral formations inhabited by algae, jellyfish, parrotfish, black bream, pristipoma and other fish species. Sea wolf, Cuban crucian carp, various crustaceans (including lobsters) are found here very often. One of the best dive sites here is La Corona de San Carlos. Cayo Levisa is just a few minutes from Palma Rubia, the starting point for this excursion, and only 146 km from Havana. Diving center - "Diving World".

Havana (72 points)
The Cuban capital is a beautiful coastal city whose past and present are inextricably linked to the sea. There are 4 international diving centers ("La Aguja", "Club Habana", "Tarara", "Blue Reef", "Puerto Escondido"), operating for diving in water areas measuring more than 100 km along the coast and about 3 km from the line shores. Various types of corals with brightly colored fish inhabiting them are found in abundance here: red squirrel fish, soldier fish, bronze snapper.
At the depths you can see turtles, sharks, blue marlin, and swordfish. 20 km east of the city stretches a strip of snow-white coral beach.
The country's cultural mecca, Havana has a picturesque historical part that is declared part of the world cultural heritage by UNESCO. Sunken ships lying on the ocean floor are also part of the city's history, and Havana hotels provide guests with cozy accommodation.

El Colony (56 points)
Youth Island, the second largest island in the Cuban archipelago, has become a must-see destination for diving enthusiasts around the world thanks to the Punta Frances National Marine Park, where traditional underwater photography competitions are regularly held. The 6-kilometer dive zone offers tourists the opportunity to experience a variety of local fauna, and the pinnacle of the dive is snorkeling through tunnels in the coral walls. Tarpon, parrotfish, tarpon, barracuda, lobster and even large turtles can be seen in the vicinity of the sunken vintage ships.
The International Diving Center "El Colony" has a specialized medical center and a hyperbaric chamber that can serve several people at the same time. The center has the ability to accommodate tourists in a cozy hotel. El Colony is 42 km from the city of Nueva Gerona, the center of the province, which also has a hyperbaric chamber. Nueva Gerona, in turn, is located 200 km from Havana, from where it is most convenient to get to the Island of Youth by plane.

Cayo Largo (32 points)
Just like the Island of Youth, Cayo Largo is part of the Los Canarreos archipelago. Its beaches are the main attraction of the island, which is completely isolated from the world and has two diving centers (Cayo Largo del Sur, Playa Sirena). About 30 dive points offer athletes tunnels and steep walls with rich fauna. The virgin nature of the local underwater world, its charm and amazing color contrasts amaze divers. Located 180 km from Havana, 140 km from the Island of Youth and 125 km from Varadero, Cayo Largo promises to become one of the most popular resorts in Cuba. The Cayo Largo International Airport connects the island with the whole world, and the developed hotel infrastructure provides tourists with the highest level of beach holidays.

Varadero (32 points)
The world famous Varadero Beach with comfortable hotels and entertainment centers stretches along the northern part of the Hicacos Peninsula, in the north of the province of Matanzas. The dive area here stretches from Matanzas Bay to the western edge of the Jardines del Rey archipelago. The gently sloping shelf platform is covered with coral islands with abundant fauna. Particularly popular are the Ojo del Megano, a 70 m diameter underwater cave located near the Gulf of Cadiz, and the Cayo Pedra del Norte marine park, which covers more than 2 square miles and contains a missile boat, a frigate with deck guns and a transport aircraft that were sunk here. specifically to create the largest underwater artifact in the archipelago. There are also coral colonies with a wide variety of fish. Varadero is 140 km from Havana and 16 km from the city of Cardenas, where there is a specialized medical center with a hyperbaric chamber. Opportunities for scuba diving are offered by three specialized centers: "Acua", "Barracuda", "Gaviota".

Bahia de Cochinos (14 points)
Open sea diving and speleological diving in saltwater caves, part of the lake-cave ecosystem of the Zapata Peninsula, are the most interesting adventures for scuba diving enthusiasts in the south of the province of Matanzas, where two specialized centers (Octopus, Playa Giron) are located "). Dives are carried out right off the coast, where the most beautiful colonies of corals begin with schools of multi-colored fish inhabiting them. Located 85 km from the city of Cienfuegos, 105 km from Varadero and 177 km from Havana, Bahia de Cochinos offers excellent accommodation for tourists who come here to enjoy the attractions of this region.

Cienfuegos (46 points)
This exciting seaside town has burst onto the diving scene thanks to the untouched beauty of its underwater world and the huge coral reef that stretches along the coast. This province, which has a network of comfortable hotels to accommodate tourists, has three diving centers (Faro de Luna, Guajimico, Whale Shark) with a huge water area and more than 40 diving spots. Sunken ships, covered with shells and turned into artificial reefs, a diverse fauna with many fish, jellyfish, turtles, sea urchins and even, if you're lucky, whale sharks - all this can be found here. There is also a local landmark - the 6-meter coral column of Notre Dame, so named because of its resemblance to the famous Parisian cathedral. Cienfuegos is located in the center of the country on the southern coast, 269 km from Havana and 181 km from Varadero.

Trinidad (21 points)
Spread over undulating green land close to the sea and the Escambray mountain range, Trinidad is a charming town declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO due to its amazing architectural features. Close to the Ancon Peninsula, which has the best beaches on the southern coast of Cuba, there is a diving center ("Cayo Blanco") and comfortable hotels just a few steps from the beach. From here to the coral islet Cayo Blanco stretches a narrow platform with a sandy bottom, inhabited by coral groups up to 5 m high with grottoes and tunnels, with many fish, sponges and jellyfish. Trinidad is connected to Cienfuegos by a coastal highway about 40 km long. From Trinidad to Havana 340 km.

Cayo Coco (20 points)
Experts say there are few places in the Caribbean comparable in beauty and abundance of fish to Cayo Coco, sometimes called "a giant natural aquarium." The coral reef where diving is done here extends for more than 30 km. Cayo Coco is connected to the main part of Cuba by a causeway. The same road connects it with another island - Cayo Guillermo. High-quality hotels and four diving centers (Coco Diving Center, Blue Diving, Cayo Guillermo, Jardines del Rey) offer tourists to enjoy the natural environment of this reserve and take advantage of a wide range of water sports, including diving. The resort's amazing scuba diving capabilities make the holiday an adventure with a variety of fish and other sea creatures. Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo are located in the north of the province of Ciego de Avila, 500 km from Havana and 600 km from Santiago de Cuba and are part of the Jardines del Rey archipelago. Cayo Coco has a small airport for local airlines.

Jardines de la Reina (33 points)
This archipelago of small islands is located in the south of the province of Ciego de Avila, offers tourists an extensive coral reef and is one of the places in the Caribbean where turtles come to lay their eggs. Avalon International Diving Center offers dives along the chain of islets that form the archipelago: Cayo Grande, Cayo Caballones, Cayo Anclitas, Cayo Piedra Grande, Cayo Cachiboca. A great variety of corals, sponges, jellyfish, shellfish and fish are the main attraction of this area. Accommodation options for tourists here are very limited, so accommodation on board a boat or yacht should be considered as an alternative. You can only get here by sea.

Santa Lucia (35 points)
One of the longest and most beautiful beaches in Cuba is located in the north of the province of Camaguey, near the largest coral reef in the Western Hemisphere. The Sharks Friend International Diving Center offers a dive area stretching from Cape Maternillos to Cayo Sabinal and filled with shipwrecks such as the Nuestra Senora de Alta Gracia, Mortera and Pizarra (the latter two sank in the second half of the 19th century). The coral belt is just a short boat ride away. Here you can enjoy the beauty of underwater ridges up to 3 m high. Santa Lucia is located 640 km from Havana and 550 km from Santiago de Cuba.

Guardalavaca (20 points)
Here, on 18 km of water area suitable for contemplating the underwater world, there are two diving centers: one at Playa Esmeralda (“Sea Lovers”), the other at Playa Guardalavaca (“Eagle Ray”). The underwater terrain here is quite complex, formed by high hills, caves, small valleys and cliffs with steep walls. Sometimes the bottom slopes gently, forming terraces covered with corals, with a typical Caribbean reef of shallow waters. This site, called the Coral Garden, is undoubtedly one of the most outstanding dive points in this amazing area.

Santiago de Cuba (73 points)
The dive area of ​​this "most Caribbean" province of Cuba is divided into four main areas: Sigua, Daiquiri, Bucanero and Sierra Mar. It stretches for 150 km offshore and includes many different diving spots. The coral reef here takes on unusual shapes, including barriers, mounds scattered across the sandy bottom, ridges, shoals and depressions, and massive walls. Tourists are waiting for several sunken ships that belonged to the famous fleet under the command of the Spanish Admiral Cervera, defeated on July 3, 1898 by a powerful American squadron during the Spanish-Cuban-American War. Each of the dive zones has its own distinctive features, making this area a real treat for scuba diving enthusiasts. The unique natural environment and true Caribbean atmosphere of this second largest city in Cuba, which has three diving centers (Sigua, Bucanero, Sierra Mar), create excellent conditions for lovers of this sport.

Marea del Portillo (17 points)
This coastal area of ​​the Granma province has almost the same characteristics as the dive areas of Santiago de Cuba, and can even be called an extension of Santiago. There is a sunken galleon with 36 cannons, and there is also a well-preserved ship of Admiral Cervera "Cristobal Colon". Towards Cabo Cruz, at the southwestern tip of the province, there are magnificent underwater landscapes with coral reefs, jellyfish and a variety of fish. All this can be enjoyed thanks to the Albacora diving center.

Jardines de la Reina is one of the few places in the western Caribbean where sea turtles lay eggs. The canyons and caves formed by impressive reef formations are home to numerous fish, including quite large ones: tarpon, bonefish, pigeon fish, etc.

In the coastal waters of Varadero, the sandy bottom drops quite smoothly, creating favorable conditions for fish and corals. At the bottom there is a real underwater transport depot: a wrecked frigate with a cannon, a torpedo motor boat, a cargo plane, as well as the remains of ships specially sunk here to replenish the unique collection.

Here you can see the extremely common flower and brain corals in this area, colorful clouds of tropical fish, and wrecked ships declared part of the national historical heritage.

The dive area stretches for 18 km along the beaches of Guardalavaca and Esmeralda, each of which is equipped with a professional dive center.

Here, on the Zapata Peninsula, in the south of the province of Matanzas, you can try yourself in two different types of diving: in the sea and in caves flooded with sea water, forming an unusual system of lakes. Sea dives are carried out directly from the shore, as amazing species of coral and schools of fish can be found just a few steps from the water's edge.

The seabed is covered with coral growths, cut by tunnels and steep slopes, and the fauna is amazing in its diversity.

The island's coastal waters are home to massive formations of star coral and brain coral, and also include parrotfish, surgeonfish, Bermuda chub, red grouper, snapper and aggregations of crustaceans.

The seabed in the vicinity of Cayo Santa Maria is replete with colorful corals and exotic inhabitants of tropical seas.

The eastern part of the island of Cuba, and in particular the Marea del Portillo Bay, is characterized by an uneven, intricately rugged sea relief. High mounds with holes and pits of various sizes are covered with fossils of invertebrate animals, and the tunnels and caves are home to various fish, mollusks and crustaceans.

Always serene, isolated, Maria la Gorda boasts some of the area's clearest seabeds and excellent underwater visibility.

Thanks to the picturesque topography of the seabed and exciting legends about sunken treasures, Fr. Juventud attracts both professional and novice divers from all over the world.

The islands are often compared to a giant natural aquarium due to the brightness and richness of colors, the abundance and diversity of their underwater world. Diving in these places is fraught with the joy of unexpected encounters.

It only takes a few minutes to reach the nearest coral belt and begin an underwater journey between ridges up to 10 meters high above the sandy bottom.

The local coral reef is famous for its bizarre shapes: from barriers and mounds in the areas closest to the shore to large sandy areas, deep holes and impressive walls at depth. In the Santiago de Cuba area there are about 70 dive sites with their own specifics, so this The region of Cuba is extremely popular among divers.

The city attracts diving enthusiasts with its impressive coral colonies, shipwrecks and diverse fauna.

In the area between the coast and the island of Cayo Blanco, in a narrow shelf zone with sand ridges up to 15 meters high and tunnels, numerous colonies of black corals, a variety of sea sponges, tropical fish and many others live. etc.

Diving in Cuba

CUBA is a small Caribbean country known to the world as Liberty Island, the largest of the Antilles and the seventh largest island in the world. Its relative political isolation has previously prevented a massive influx of tourists. Despite the formal orders of the colonial system, in Cuba you can relax and unwind; even in large cities it is relatively quiet and peaceful. The locals are sincerely friendly to those who are truly interested in Cuba and come to relax on this amazing island. The affordable price of diving in Cuba is one of the decisive factors when choosing a holiday destination for scuba diving enthusiasts.

The Cubans themselves humorously claim that diving in Cuba is a national sport. This is not very true. Of course, not every Cuban can go diving, but almost all of them “live on the sea”, so they feel no worse in it than the same fish. But seriously, if not all are Cubans, then the instructors are high-class professionals with international certificates. This is both their way of life and the basis for highly paid work, which is a fairly strong incentive to value this work and do it well.

If you look at a map of Cuba, you can easily find that dive sites are marked along the entire perimeter of the island’s coastline. At the same time, each dive site has something of its own, its own zest. For example, not far from Santiago de Cuba, at a depth of 15 meters, a well-preserved passenger boat rests. A little further and deeper is another “rack”. And even further you can find a simply incredible picture - at a depth of 15 meters, right on the ground, there is a metal bridge that fell into the sea in 1895 along with a train moving across this bridge. The surreal picture is completed by a ship submerged on top of this structure. And that is not all. Not far from this “exposition” on a reef slope at a depth of 9 to 27 m, a Spanish ship was located.

Turtles are the hallmark of the Jardinas de la Reina archipelago. You are almost guaranteed to find bull sharks in Santa Lucia and you can even feed them by hand. In Matanzas Bay there is the Blue Abyss, an underwater cave 230 feet in diameter, located among the reefs of Cadiz Bay, as well as a marine park near Cayo Pedras del Norte, where a transport aircraft, a motor boat, a frigate with guns, and the remains of other ships specially scuttled rest. Here. The landmark of Cienfuegos is a six-meter column, named Notre Dame for its resemblance to the famous cathedral. Guardalavaca is famous for its mesmerizing Coral Garden, one of the most impressive coral formations in the Caribbean.

But almost everywhere under water, the constant delight is caused by coral formations of bizarre shapes and all kinds of colors, around which a wide variety of fish teem, of which there are at least 500 species in Cuba. There are blue chromes, squirrel fish, black-striped soldier fish, grunts... During your dives, you are almost guaranteed to encounter tarpon, eagle, stingray, parrotfish, barracuda, marlin, tuna, and sometimes all of them at once. Those who don't care about diving unless they come face to face with some kind of shark will also enjoy it here. There are sharks here. Mostly, of course, reef sharks, nurse sharks. But according to experts, bull sharks are also frequent guests in Cuban coastal waters.

The Bay of Cochinos is known primarily as the landing site for Cuban counter-revolutionaries supported by American intelligence agencies. But today the Bay of Cochinos is already a fairly famous site with many coral reefs, a diverse flora and fauna. It is of considerable interest to divers due to its very decent conditions: there are no strong sea currents, and the warm and calm water is so transparent that everything is clearly visible at a distance of 25-30 meters.

So, do you want to spend your holiday in paradise? Take a break from the world? The azure waters of the ocean and coral reefs, the gentle sun and snow-white beaches, the fantastic underwater world and fabulous birds, crystal waterfalls, the architecture of ancient cities and fortresses, the riotous fun of the night city, the smoke of a Cuban cigar and incendiary salsa - all this is Cuba.

excellent preservation of the ecosystem

The underwater world of the island hides real wonders of the universe: amazing coral gardens, bizarre caves, curved channels, mysterious tunnels, colorful meadows covered with sea sponges of all kinds: cups, tubes, spreading trees (about 200 species). The vibrant coral formations are home to a variety of marine animals: mollusks, crustaceans, tropical fish of various shapes and sizes (about 500 species). The seabed either smoothly descends into the depths of the ocean, revealing the remains of sunken ships to the eyes of divers, or abruptly drops down, forming vertical walls. The biological balance established in the coastal waters of Cuba embodies the absolute harmony and triumph of nature.

favorable conditions

There are no strong currents in the island's shelf waters. Underwater visibility reaches 30-40 m, diving depth is 40 m, and the water temperature ranges from +24 to +28°C throughout the year. Divers who dream of seeing the underwater world of Cuba are not limited by the time of year or time of day.

high level of development of the diving industry

There are about 20 modern dive centers on the island with good, modern equipment (not counting high-quality dive centers at hotels). Dive sites (about 500!) are often located in protected natural areas, the beauty of which complements the underwater travel experience.

all levels of difficulty If you want unusual diving, Cuba will provide you with such an opportunity. Thanks to special schools for beginners, as well as professional instructors with certificates from the CMAS federation and the American-Canadian Underwater Association ACUC, both professionals and beginners can practice diving on the island.

Getting on a plane and flying halfway around the world to get off the plane in the country of cigars, rum and snow-white beaches of Liberty Island is the dream of millions of Russians. For some it comes true, but for others it remains the limit of desire.

Well, if you nevertheless went on a trip to distant and mysterious Cuba, then further information should be perceived by you as worth its weight in gold, because if you own it, you will be 100% sure that nothing will overshadow your vacation.

1 – Sun, air and water are our best friends
This is what was said in the pioneer chant of a carefree socialist childhood. And it is these three factors of recreation that attract up to 50 thousand Russians to the island of freedom every year. They have hundreds of hotels in resort cities, dozens of tourist routes and thousands of excursions and entertainment at their service. But not everything is as beautiful and harmless as tourist brochures describe.

The first thing a tourist encounters when arriving in the tropical paradise of Cuba is the unbearably bright sun. In terms of its activity, it is several times more intense than in central Russia and therefore the ability of the skin to prevent the penetration of solar radiation is significantly lower than that of the local population.

And how you want to catch a tropical tan in a short time of rest and then show off your Cuban skin tone to your friends, and here the first problem arises, which can result in huge troubles. As a rule, 80% of all vacationers, after a couple of days in Cuba, experience sunburn of one degree or another. But sunburn is only a small part of the problem of an unprepared person’s contact with the Sun of Cuba.

More serious problems begin in the case of the formation of tumors leading to skin cancer. Or a burn to the retina due to the fact that your organs of vision were uncovered by sunglasses. Therefore, when going on vacation, be sure to take with you sunscreens with a high SPF value and reliable and high-quality sunglasses.

Another problem for all visitors to Cuba is a special set of microorganisms in the water that is consumed on Liberty Island. Of course, in hotels, restaurants, as well as in drinks, it is disinfected or simply boiled. However, in all cocktails it is simply frozen and offered to you in the form of ice cubes. This means that all pathogenic microorganisms will easily begin to multiply inside your body.

According to tour operators, 30% of all who visited this place felt disharmony in the abdominal area and mild diarrhea. However, if you have a tendency to intestinal diseases and have reduced immunity for some reason, then you have all the prerequisites to end up in a hospital bed with an intestinal infection.

2 – All the delights of relaxing on the water...
Sea fishing, diving, lying on the snow-white sand - this is an essential list of pleasures that all tourists coming to Cuba should try.

Of course, diving into the unknown and beautiful underwater world to see with your own eyes the life of its inhabitants is worth it.

However, not everything is as harmless as one might imagine at first glance. Of course, in the waters of Liberty Island you will not find bloodthirsty sharks, as in the tropical waters of other places, but this is where the highest density of sea snakes is, all of which are poisonous without exception. Moreover, their poison is so potent that all bites result in long-term treatment or can even become fatal for diving enthusiasts in these waters.

Every year, up to ten people in Cuba die due to contact with these snakes. The only plus is that all sea snakes bite only in defense and, as a rule, rush to avoid meeting a person.

This cannot be said about another underwater inhabitant - the moray eel. The local warm waters and many secluded places in the coral reefs are excellent places to make an excellent home for these predators. There are simply a huge number of them here.

They greedily look out of their holes, sticking their heads out and attack you by the arm or leg, plunging all their teeth into them, and they have more than five hundred of them. Of course, their bite is not fatal, but the fact is that a huge number of microorganisms accumulate in their mouths.

And it is they, after a bite, entering the human bloodstream that cause an extensive abscess, which can turn into gangrene if not properly cared for.

Another trouble that awaits beach lovers is the numerous sea urchins, which the local waters are regarded as the best for the mating season and from March to October they literally cover the seabed with their bodies.

If you step on this creature, then you will face at least two serious problems. The first is that each sea urchin spine is covered with hundreds of barbs that grow against the line of penetration. This means that it will be very difficult to remove it, and given their fragility, it will be almost impossible without surgical intervention.

In addition, each needle contains a drop of poison, very similar in action to a nerve agent that blocks the conduction of nerve impulses. The victim who receives such poison either dies if its size is small, or finds itself paralyzed and helpless for a very long time. As for the person, very often everything ends in hospitalization and long-term treatment in a hospital.

Another attack on Cuban beaches, which literally forces everyone to leave the beaches, and their owners to display red flags on the shore as a sign of danger, is the appearance in the coastal waters of representatives of the Sinofor detachment, known as the “Portuguese man-of-war.”

This is a very poisonous and dangerous creature. Its poisonous tentacles can cause you a lot of trouble even if they have already dried up lying on the beach. Tissue burns, necrosis of skin areas, paralysis of the respiratory tract, even death, this is a list of possible troubles from contact with this creature. Nowhere are you more likely to encounter this creature than on the sunny beaches of this island.

3 The jungle is calling...
The nature of Cuba is very beautiful, the area is literally replete with landscapes that are simply breathtaking. But the visible picture sometimes has a downside that is not always pleasant to talk about. Perhaps the greatest danger haunts tourists in the interior of the country, where there is a very dangerous representative of the order of fleas - the sand flea of ​​the Tunga genus.

It is she who spreads the terrible disease of these places - sarcopsillosis. Just thirty years ago it was a real disaster in the interior of Cuba and the entire Caribbean.

In general, it should be noted that fleas in Cuba are rampant in their desire to find a victim. If you look closely, you can see how all the ankles of the local children are bitten by these insects.

Another unpleasant representative of the local fauna is the bedbug. It was brought here by the Americans at the beginning of the 20th century. If in the USA a bedbug is rather exotic, here it is a serious test for the owners of hotels and other places where tourists stay.

Moreover, the bites of local bedbugs are characterized by terrible itching, and often develop into dermatitis against the backdrop of the humid climate of these places. In addition, in the middle of summer, millions of armies of winged vampires - mosquitoes, mosquitoes - stretch from the central part of the island to the coast.

In the wild, they are natural spreaders of such serious diseases as yellow fever, malaria and others. And if you do not have the necessary vaccinations, then you have every chance to spend your vacation without getting to know the sights of the island, but studying the quality of local medicine, which, by the way, treats various diseases very well due to the fact that most Cuban doctors graduated from Russian medical universities.

4. Social factor
Cubans are a very open and sociable nation. But, due to the fact that on Liberty Island there is an almost universal shortage of consumer goods and everything is issued on cards, the black market is very thriving here.

This is the other side of Cuban Freedom. Every tourist is a potential victim of numerous pickpockets and petty thieves. Although major crimes such as murder, rape and others are very rare here, stealing a wallet, or stealing a cell phone or handbag is par for the course. If this happens to you, under no circumstances try to solve the problem yourself, even if you notice the robber. That's what the police are here for.

Remember that even if you are right, but at the same time your Spanish is distorted, then be sure that any arbitrariness will end up in the police station for you at night.

Most of the shops in Cuba are reminiscent of the USSR shops of the late 80s of the last century, and tourists with their money, clothes, and equipment can cause the local population, fueled by rum, to take illegal actions against you, especially in the depths of the island, far from tourist centers.

If you rent a car, then drive very carefully; many rules here exist only on paper.

Loud and noisy feasts at night are not welcome. First, they will warn you, and then they may lock you up for a day at the police station, and even issue you a fine.

Any transactions with real estate, purchase and sale of animals, a number of plants and birds are prohibited. Under no circumstances should you purchase drugs or, especially, sell them - this will immediately lead to a prison sentence, even for foreigners.

Cuba is for some a dream, for others the place of life of Che, Hemingway and Fidel, and for others a place of not very pleasant memories. It depends only on you what kind of vacation you will have in this paradise of the world, and how you will later speak about it in your memories.

The national pride of Cuba is the flag, any actions that could be regarded as blasphemy against it, and will immediately land you in prison