Yes! Cuba is one of the Caribbean's best-kept diving secrets, offering world-class scuba diving with remarkably preserved marine ecosystems. What makes Cuba truly special is its combination of:

* Pristine coral reefs - Unlike many over-dived Caribbean destinations, Cuba's reefs are thriving with elkhorn coral, giant sponges, and vibrant sea fans, thanks to decades of limited tourism and strong conservation efforts.
* Abundant marine life - Expect regular encounters with reef sharks, sea turtles, eagle rays, and massive schools of tropical fish. The Queen's Gardens is one of the few places where you might see Goliath groupers and even saltwater crocodiles in their natural habitat!
* Excellent visibility - With 30m+ (100ft+) visibility in peak season, Cuba’s waters are some of the clearest in the Caribbean.
* Diverse dive sites - From sheer walls and underwater caves to historic shipwrecks and coral tunnels, there’s something for every diver.

The top dive destinations in Cuba include:

* Gardens of the Queen (Jardines de la Reina) - A UNESCO-protected marine park and Cuba’s crown jewel for diving. This untouched paradise is known for:
- Shark diving (Caribbean reef sharks, silky sharks, and seasonal whale sharks).
- Healthy coral formations that rival the best in the Caribbean.
- Night dives teeming with lobsters, octopuses, and bioluminescent plankton.

* Bay of Pigs (Playa Girón, Zapata) - A must-visit for wreck lovers and cave divers, featuring:
- The famous Cueva de los Peces, a stunning cenote-like sinkhole.
- Sunken ships from the 1961 invasion, now encrusted with coral.
- Drift dives along dramatic walls covered in black coral.

* Maria la Gorda - A biodiversity hotspot in western Cuba, perfect for:
- Macro lovers (seahorses, frogfish, and rare nudibranchs).
- Coral gardens with towering pillar corals and barrel sponges.
- Whale shark sightings (seasonal, usually March-April).

* Cayo Largo - Famous for:
- Shallow reefs packed with nurse sharks and stingrays.
- The 'Tunnel', an exhilarating swim-through with swirling fish.
- Pristine beaches that rival the Bahamas.

The best diving conditions are from November to May, with: • Calm seas & great visibility (30m/100 ft+).
• Warm water temps (26-29°C / 79-84°F).
• Peak season for liveaboards (especially Dec-Apr).

Sea turtles can be seen nesting from March - June, Humpback whales passing near Cayo Largo from Feb-Mar), whale sharks migrate between Jun-Aug.

Hurricane season (June-Nov) can bring rougher conditions, but diving is still possible, particularly in sheltered areas. September is the highest risk month.

Yes! Havana is an underrated wreck diving destination, with sites for all levels:
• Shallow wrecks (10-20m) like the SS Olivette for beginners.
• Deep wrecks (30m+) like the MV Cristóbal Colón for advanced divers.
• Reefs and walls near the city, though they’re less spectacular than the more remote areas.

Most Havana diving is boat-based, with operators offering trips from Marina Hemingway.

Note: the liveaboard operators in Jardines de la Reina are well accustomed to providing transfers for divers staying in Havana, although the bus journey does take 6 hours.

Day trip diving in Havana or shore diving from a resort in Varadero or Jibacoa would offer the most economical ways to dive in Cuba. Shore diving with your own equipment is very cheap, but costs rise if you need to rent gear or join a boat trip.

Cuba liveaboard prices start at approx. USD 400 per day for an 8-day / 7-night trip.

Since the Tortuga liveaboard ceased operations, there are no low-budget options to dive in the Queen's Gardens Marine Park. The Cuba liveaboards operate 7-night diving tours and are quite expensive by Caribbean standards. This is partly due to the high cost of obtaining licenses to operate in the national park, but also due to the steep rise in fuel prices in Cuba in recent years.

For a 1-week liveaboard tour of the Jardines de la Reina, expect to pay USD 3 275 + during low season, and USD 3 975 + during high season.

At the moment, there are only 2 liveaboard operators in Cuba, and they both run 1-week trips in the Garden's of the Queen Marine Park.
• Avalon has operated in Cuba for more than 30 years and is the most experienced. It has a large fleet of boats and its guests are a mixture of scuba divers and fishermen. It offers low season discounts.
• Aggressor is an internationally recognised name is liveaboard diving, and it brings its vast experience in customer service and great food to Cuba.

Avalon currently operates 6 liveaboards in Cuba at the Jardines de la Reina. The boats range in size from a maximum passenger capacity of 20-40. Upper deck luxury guest suites are available. Its guests are a mix of scuba divers and fishermen. For this reason, the boats are moored in a sheltered lagoon in the park, and divers are shuttle on high speed boats to the sites all around the park.

Avalon reserve the right to select which boats it operates in any week, based on total guest bookings, so it is not possible for guests to select their own preference. Prices: Low season: USD 3 275 +, High season: USD 3 975 +.

Until recently, Aggressor were operating 2 liveaboards in Cuba - one in the Queen's Gardens, and one in the Zapata Swamp, Bay of Pigs. Unfortunately, the Zapata option is not currently available.

The Jardines Aggressor II operates 7-night luxury liveaboard diving cruises in Jardines de la Reina. Balcony Suites are available, and the sun deck is complete with a guest hot tub. Regular retail prices start at USD 4 200.

There are around 20 countries that have a visa-free arrangement for citizens to visit Cuba. However, these tend to be rather small and obscure nations. Citizens of most countries need to obtain a tourist card from a Cuban travel agency, authorized airline, or diplomatic mission. The tourist card is for 30 days (90 days for Canadians) and can be extended once for a further 90 days. You may also be asked to provide proof of return flight, booked accommodation and travel insurance.

In addition to obtaining a tourist card, all U.S. citizens and residents (regardless of their nationality) travelling to Cuba need to comply with the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) regulations. Requirements change quite frequently so you must ensure you have the current information before making your booking. For more information see the U.S Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs website or contact your nearest Cuban embassy or overseas representative.

U.S. citizens and residents booked on a Dive The World Cuba diving cruise need to obtain the required documentation confirming that the cruise itinerary meets the OFAC requirements. Only American companies can provide this documentation,. Once you have confirmed your booking, you can contact one to receive your authorization letter (approximately USD 100 per person). The liveaboard cruises we recommend meet the requirements set out by the OFAC.

Cuba tourism conjures up images of walking through old Havana, with cigar-scented, music-filled air, as vintage cars chug past. It enjoys a very rich mix of culture, from locals mixing over the generations with Africans and Europeans. This cultural diversity has resulted in the vibrant and unique Cuban architecture, music, food and handicrafts.

In Havana you can sip a mojito, explore the works of local artists and musicians on Callejon de Hamel, and enjoy an architectural tour of Old Havana. There are plenty of museums and buildings of cultural significance to visit including the National Museum of Fine Arts, the Museo Hemingway Fina Vigia, the Gran Teatro de la Habana, and Havana Cathedral.

Walking is a great way to see Havana. You can enjoy a shoreline stroll on the beautiful beaches of Playas de Este. Take an evening walk along the Malecon where friendly locals congregate by the sea to socialize. Enjoy an architectural and shopping experience by strolling done the Paseo del Prado.

For some more ideas on activities, sightseeing and adventures here, visit the Cuba Tourism website.

Cuba has one time zone, which is the same as EST (Eastern Standard Time). It is 5 hours behind UTC - Coordinated Universal Time.

Electricity is supplied throughout the entire nation by an alternating current (AC) at 110 volts. The sockets are of the American 2-prong standard. It is highly recommended that you use surge protection and/or unplug electronics during a storm since your equipment may suffer surge damage.

The international dialing code is +53 and telephone communications are not cheap. The best way to do it is from your hotel where you will be connected via an operator. Only since 2008 have ordinary Cubans been allowed to have mobile phones and it remains an expensive system.

The Cuban authorities are deeply mistrustful of the internet and for years they tried to control access to computers and the internet and to restrict the sites that could be viewed. Now things are more open but the systems are expensive for locals. There are now internet cafes and wi-fi hotspots in public locations At the time of writing there is no broadband service, but that is expected to change very soon.

The postal service between Cuba and the U.S. restarted in 2015 after a hiatus of 52 years. However, the service to send out of the country is notoriously slow and unreliable. We recommend you send virtual postcards by email to the folks back home.

You should pack for a range of circumstances when visiting Cuba. Beachwear might be important when you are standing on the bow of a Cuba diving liveaboard, but won't work as well in Havana town. In the city it is more urban and gritty, so long pants and jeans are more appropriate. Temperatures can vary with weather changes, so don't assume it will be hot and humid all the time.

Tipping is not a Cuban tradition and is not expected, except in all-inclusive resorts. If you are going to tip, use convertible pesos, not US dollars. Discretion when tipping is important. Some guidelines suggest a single convertible peso, per action or per day, is sufficient. Politeness and gratitude can often get as good a response as a tip here.

As always when you visit a foreign land, it pays to know the local customs and social taboos. Local Cubanos will know you are a foreigner and will likely forgive your blunders with good grace. However, there remain certain standards of behavior which one would be well advised to follow.

Things may be changing in Cuba but old habits die hard and they won’t take kindly to anyone taking photographs or videos of military or police activities. Don’t go making political comments or speaking ill of the Cuban government.

You are better off not being on your own at night, particularly around Old Havana. Avoid getting involved with unofficial guides. Don’t litter, spit or even blow your nose in public!

Cuba does not require visitors to have had specific vaccinations, although tetanus, typhoid and hepatitis A are often recommended. There are occasional outbreaks of dengue fever, spread by mosquitoes, however is not a malarial zone. It can be hot and humid so wear light clothing and try to keep yourself clean and dry (except when diving).

Tap water is not safe to drink so consume bottled or boiled water and avoid ice. The usual, common-sense precautions against food poisoning should be followed. Most Cuban cities have health clinics specifically for tourists and health insurance is required, so you can also purchase some on arrival.

Most people complete their diving trip without any significant health problems to spoil their enjoyment of their vacation, in this exciting and vibrant destination.

Cuba is considered one of the safest destinations in Latin America, with low crime rates and a strong police presence. Most visitors leave impressed by the friendliness of the locals rather than experiencing any issues. However, as with any travel destination, exercising basic caution is advised.

Petty Crime & Scams

While serious crime in tourist areas is rare, petty theft (e.g., pickpocketing or bag-snatching) can occur, particularly due to high poverty rates. To minimize risks:
- Avoid flashy jewelry or expensive camera equipment.
- Keep wallets and bags secure.
- Be cautious of scams, such as:
 • Fake cigars sold as premium products.
 • Unofficial currency exchanges (e.g., national pesos for convertible pesos).
 • Overly friendly strangers who may expect you to pay for their expenses.

Transport & Road Safety

- Roads can be hazardous due to potholes and poor lighting. Extra care is needed when driving a rental car, scooter, or bicycle.
- Most tourists rely on inexpensive, widely available taxis, especially after dark.
- Always use official taxis and licensed tour guides to avoid scams.

Areas of Caution

- Old Havana is the most 'edgy' area, but incidents are unlikely if you stay alert and avoid walking alone at night.
- Be polite but cautious with strangers - some may seek free drinks or other favors.
- Double-check change after transactions, as short-changing is common.

Customs & Legal Considerations

- Drugs: Penalties for drug-related offenses are severe. Never carry drugs or transport items for others.
- Valuables: Bring receipts for expensive items to avoid customs issues when leaving.
- Documents: Keep copies of important documents in case of emergencies.

Police & Emergency Response

While Cuban police are not notably corrupt, their response to crimes can be slow. Use hotel safety deposit boxes for valuables and exercise general caution.

Environmental Responsibility

As a responsible traveler (especially divers), avoid disturbing Cuba’s protected coral reefs or taking any natural souvenirs.