BOOK NOW

LIVEABOARD SEARCH


Click to enlarge image Click to enlarge image

JARDINES AGGRESSOR II

41m / 135ft MAX 24 NITROX  SSI

PRICE PER DAY FROM USD 0

LOWEST PRICE GUARANTEE     

At a glance:
  • Cruises around Jardines de la Reina
  • All cabins have en-suite bathrooms
  • Complimentary local beer and wine
  • Shaded upper deck hot tub
  • Large steel hulled yacht


Set sail on a 7-night expedition to one of the Caribbean's last great marine wildernesses onboard the Jardines Aggressor II liveaboard. This yacht is your gateway to Jardines de la Reina (Gardens of the Queen), a remote, protected national park off the coast of Cuba. Renowned among the global diving community for its robust and balanced ecosystem, this region offers a rare glimpse into a thriving, undisturbed aquatic world.

At 120 feet (41 meters) with a generous beam, the Jardines Aggressor II is engineered for the tour. Its diesel-powered design ensures stable, smooth cruising at 10 knots, translating to more time at the dive sites and less in transit. The vessel’s layout prioritizes diver-centric functionality without sacrificing comfort. A spacious, climate-controlled saloon and dining area provide a welcome retreat, while the expansive sun deck - featuring a hot tub, lounge seating, and a shaded wet bar - is the ideal space to relax between dives. Dedicated spaces, including a well-equipped photo centre and a reference library, cater to both learning and post-dive review.

The dive operation is designed for ease and efficiency. A large, uncluttered dive deck flows seamlessly to a water-level platform, where custom-designed ladders facilitate easy water entries and exits. Each guest of the liveaboard is assigned a personal gear locker with ample storage, and the area is serviced by 2 hot freshwater showers. The dedicated camera table, complete with low-pressure air hoses, supports underwater photographers. All diving is conducted from 2 sturdy, 30-foot (9m) tenders, ensuring quick, direct access to the park's diverse sites while adhering to the safety standards of your certifying agency.

The Jardines Aggressor II liveaboard is distinguished by its professional, bilingual crew, who possess an intimate knowledge of the archipelago. Their combined expertise in diving, marine biology, and Cuban hospitality creates a seamless and enriching onboard atmosphere. The crew provides attentive, yet unobtrusive service, from dive briefings to guiding. You are welcome to dive with a buddy of your choice or alongside a crew member familiar with the nuances of each site. This respectful approach allows you to explore with confidence, knowing skilled support is always close at hand.

Diving in Jardines de la Reina is a privilege made possible by a stringent conservation model managed in partnership with Cuban and international scientific bodies. The Aggressor liveaboard fleet is proud to operate within this framework, which strictly limits visitor numbers and actively protects the ecosystem. This commitment ensures your marine encounters, whether observing the curious antics of giant groupers, the graceful patrol of Caribbean reef sharks, or the silent presence of silky sharks and American crocodiles in their mangrove habitats, feel authentic and sustainable. The onboard video professional documents the adventure, allowing you to share the story of this unique, protected world.

The Jardines Aggressor II offers more than a liveaboard trip; it is a dive expedition into a functioning, healthy coral reef system that serves as a vital benchmark for Caribbean marine health. It is for scuba divers who value ecological integrity as much as the dive itself, and who seek comfort and expertise in a truly remote setting. Discover the difference that responsible exploration and a purpose-built vessel can make. Join us in Jardines de la Reina for a liveaboard diving experience defined by the quiet awe of a persevering wilderness.

The Jardines Aggressor II has 12 guest cabins, all with private bathrooms. There are 2 Balcony Suites with twin or king-size bed beds in the bow of the main deck, with sliding glass doors. On the lower deck of the liveaboard, there are 10 Deluxe Staterooms with twin beds (some of which can be converted to king-size beds). Some of these cabins have portholes, others not.

All the cabins have:

  • Individual climate control air conditioning
  • Sliding glass doors on main deck, some portholes on lower deck
  • Flatscreen TV with movie selection
  • Private bathroom with toilet and hot water shower
  • Linen changed midweek, on request
  • Hand basin, towels, toiletries, and hair dryer
  • Closet, drawer and mirror
  • Storage space
  • Mains outlet 110 volts - 24 hours per day
No. of bathrooms / showers - 12 / 12 - hot water

Jardines de la Reina (8 Days / 7 Nights - 22 Dives)

Trip highlights: whale sharks, shark action, manta rays, turtles, schooling fish & big pelagics

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, healthy reefs, off the beaten track

Dive sites and activities: Gardens of the Queen: Cabezo de la Cubera, Black Coral Land II, Five Seas, Octopus Cave, Cabezo de la Raya, Los Mogotes, Pipin, El Farallon, Russian Mountain, Vicente, Avalon

Day 1
Your liveaboard trip begins at Port Jucaro, where you’ll board the Jardines Aggressor II for an evening departure. Once onboard, your tour leader will give you a warm welcome, show you to your cabin, and conduct a full safety and boat briefing. They'll also introduce you to the rest of the crew and outline the exciting plans for the days ahead. Take a moment to get comfortable and complete any final paperwork before a delicious dinner is served. After a good night's sleep, you'll be ready to start your diving adventure the following morning.

Core Days
Cuba's Jardines de la Reina National Park encompasses a chain of 250 pristine coral and mangrove islands and it is also widely recognized to represent one of the healthiest marine ecosystems in the Caribbean. You will dive with Aggressor on pristine coral reefs and steep walls dropping from the reef crest into the deep, populated by large populations of fish including Goliath grouper weighing up to 400 lbs (180 kg), large schools of snappers, parrotfish, eagle rays, sea turtles and much more. Additionally, several species of sharks are commonly seen including silky, Caribbean reef, blacktip, lemon, hammerhead, and nurse sharks, plus the occasional whale shark.
Expect up to 4 dives per day. During the week, Cuban specialists will host nightly discussions and presentations on the marine environment, conservation, and the importance of this magnificent marinre ecosystem.
Diving at Cabezo de la Cubera in Cuba's Gardens of the Queen offers a fantastic underwater experience. The site's main feature is a large, circular coral formation, known locally as a 'cabezo'. Look out for large schools of dog snapper and cubera snapper swimming in the water column above the coral. Between the coral patches, you'll also see schools of mutton and yellowtail snapper. Other inhabitants of the area include Caribbean reef sharks, various species of groupers, and sting rays. As you finish your circuit of the coral formation, you'll find clouds of purple blue tangs and large schools of tarpon gliding by.
Octopus Cave is a small, but beautiful wall dive where you can expect to see a rich variety of marine life. While the name suggests an encounter with octopuses, the site is equally known for its larger inhabitants and dense schools of fish. As you descend, you'll find the small cave or overhang that gives the site its name, which often provides a home for various sea creatures. The wall itself is a bustling hub of activity, where you can spot both caribbean reef sharks and the much larger grey nurse shark patrolling the area.
El Farallon is a remarkable dive site consisting of a huge, cathedral-like coral mountain. The most distinctive feature of the site is the series of large tunnels that run through the coral structure, allowing divers to swim right through the mountain. Sunlight streams through openings in the top of these tunnels, illuminating the vibrant colours of the corals and sponges, which creates a truly magical, almost otherworldly, experience.
Russian Mountain is typically a wall dive, where a reef slope drops down to a deeper sandy bottom. The site is known for its resident reef sharks, and you can also expect to see large schools of jacks and snappers. Divers often spot a variety of groupers and other reef fish. The coral formations along the wall are healthy and vibrant, with a mix of hard corals, soft corals, and sponges creating a rich and colourful environment.
After 2 morning dives on the last full day of your trip, the Jardines Aggressor II will head back to port to get new supplies and refuel. A sunset cocktail party and dinner will be held on the liveaboard during the evening.

Day 8
Once you've had a quick breakfast in Port Jucaro, the provided transport will take you to the airport. The transfer includes a scheduled stop for lunch.

[Information is best estimate in ideal circumstances and subject to changes beyond our control. The itinerary is a guide only and may be adapted to best suit the weather, tides, currents, availability and other prevailing events. Price is for the cruise, not for an exact number of dives].

On board Jardines Aggressor II, the menu is diverse and abundant, featuring a variety of international and Cuban dishes, and served in the dining room on the upper deck of the liveaboard.
In the mornings, you can enjoy a full breakfast spread with 'eggs your way,' pancakes, toast, muffins, yogurt, fresh fruit, and cereals.
For lunch, there's a buffet, and dinner is a served meal. The selection includes spinach salad, salad nicoise, Cuban black bean soup, ajiaco Cubano soup, ham and cheese crepes, calamari a la romana, chicken a la valdostana, roast beef with gravy, eggplant lasagne, fettuccini with amatricana sauce, and stewed leg of lamb, all served with rice and vegetables.
For dessert, there are homemade papaya and pineapple sweets, ice cream, rice pudding, and chocolate mousse.

  • Mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks are also provided and include homemade Cuban scones, homemade pizza, plum cake, and bruschetta.
  • A variety of beverages are available, including fruit juices, soft drinks, iced water, iced tea, and coffee, along with a limited selection of local beer and wine.
  • For dietary restrictions, please inform us when you book. You can also speak with the yacht's kitchen onboard, to ensure all your needs are met.

The typical daily routine on the Jardines Aggressor II is centered around diving and relaxation. While the schedule can be adjusted based on the weather and other factors, a general day looks like this:

Morning:
Guests wake up early, around 6-6:30 am
Breakfast is served, offering a variety of fresh fruits, hot entrées, cereals, and juices. After breakfast, there is a dive briefing and equipment check.
Guests embark on 2 morning dives from the tenders, with a snack provided on board between dives.

Afternoon:
Lunch is served around noon.
In the afternoon, guests go on 2 more dives from the tenders, with another snack provided in between.
After the afternoon dives, guests are welcomed back on board with hot towels.

Evening:
Dinner is served around 7 pm and often features a special theme, such as 'Grill Night"' or 'Italian Night' with homemade pasta.
There may be an optional night dive. Guests have time to relax at the bar and socialize before heading to bed.

DEPARTURE SCHEDULE & PRICES

Loading...


MORE TRIP DETAILS

Notes: The age limit to scuba dive by Cuban law is 15 years of age.

Dive experience: When guests compete their Cruise Application they affirm to Jardines Aggressor II that they are fit to dive in Cuba. That 'fit to dive' implies physical fitness, dive skills, and dive experience. Aggressor expect divers to accept personal responsibility for their fitness to dive.

Cruise price per person includes: Cabin accommodation, breakfast, lunch (including on final day), dinner, snacks, drinking water, soft drinks, hot drinks, local beer and wine, dives (as detailed in the trips above), experienced dive guides (DM ratio 12:1), tanks, weights and weightbelts, sales tax.

Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): Scuba equipment (incl. dive computer and torch: USD 225 per week), port fees (USD 240), marine park conservation fees (USD 120), dive insurance. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be prepaid.

Optional extras: Alcoholic drinks (other than local beer or wine), nitrox fills for enriched air certified divers (USD 100 per week), 15 liter tank (USD 75 per week), transfer to the boat from the local airports (Santa Clara, Cayo Coco or Camaguey: USD 60 each way, prepaid), transfer to the boat from Havana Airport (payable in advance: USD 120 each way). Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival. Note: prices of items purchased onboard are subject to change.

How to get there: These liveaboard cruises are operated under the Oceans For Youth Foundation which has an approved license for the 'People-to-People' educational exchange program. This means they meet OFAC regulations that permit US citizens to travel to Cuba, as well as citizens of the rest of the world.
You will be met at Santa Clara (SNU) or Camaguey (CMW) airport on the Saturday and transferred to the Jardines Aggressor II at Port Jucaro. A Cubatur representative in a yellow shirt who will assist with your luggage and transfer. If you arrive after 6 pm, you must make your own way to the boat in Jucaro which is about a 3 hour ride. Transfers can also be arranged from Havana (pick up at 12 noon, 7 hours). Boarding begins at 5 pm for guests making their own way to Jucaro. Once at Jucaro Port, you will board the Jardines Aggressor II liveaboard for the 3 hour voyage to Jardines de la Reina National Park.
On the last full day of the trip you will cruise back to Jucaro and then disembark at 4-5 am on the final morning (Saturday). You will then be taken back to the airport, stopping along the way for lunch. The last dive of the trip will be around 11 am on the second last day of the trip. Please wait at least 18 hours before flying after diving.
There are many daily international flights available to/from Cuba. For more details, including airlines, see our Cuba travel information section.

Non-diver rate: USD 200 off the full published price (does not apply to specials).

Single supplement (if you do not want to share accommodation): This is optional - single travelers may choose to share a cabin and pay the standard tariff, or pay a supplement of 65% of the normal published price for the sole occupancy of a cabin.

Dive clubs and group discounts: Pay for 12 guests, and 2 extra persons can join the cruise in a Deluxe Stateroom free of charge (total 12 or more guests).

Whole boat charter rate (per night): Pay for 21 guests and 3 additional persons can join the cruise free of charge (24 guests).

 
 



ENQUIRE NOW
We'll help plan your dive trip
Please use our simple contact form. We are here to help you plan your dive trip