PORTS, MARINAS & DIVING

The main one access road to Cuba is the aerial route. Cuba is connected directly and by means of regular flights with around 50 cities in the world: the main cities of Europe, America and Asia have regular flights through 28 air lines. 12 international airports located in the main cities and tourist destinies of the country exist, besides 9 national airports that connect all the national territory.
Cuban Archipelago has a surface of 110 922 Km2, it is located at the entrance of Mexican Gulf between meridians 85o y 74o, and parallels 190o y 23o, it is made up by the Island of Cuba, Island of Youth, and 4,195 cays and keys. It has a narrow and long shape from east to west, that’s why its main facilities are in the north and the south.

How to get in Cuba by sea.

Once you arrive to Cuba water limits (12 miles) the skipper must get in contact with Cuban authorities through:

• HF (SSB) 2760 National Coast Networks
• HF (SSB) 2790 Tourist Networks
• VHF Channel 16 y 72 Port Authorities
• VHF Channel 19 Tourist Authorities

When you get in contact with Cuban authorities the following information will be required:

• Name of the boat
• Flag
• Port of registration
• Last port of call
• Port of arrival a
• ETA
• Type of craft
• Colour of the boat
• Number of persons on board

After the information has been given, you will follow the instruction given by the authorities. Once you are moored you will wait for the authorities who will make official your arrival to the Republic of Cuba, during your interview with the authorities the will give the rest of the information you need to know, and they will be willing to answer any question.

Entry Ports:

• Marina Hemingway
• Marina Dársena Varadero
• Marina Cayo Guillermo
• Marina Santiago de Cuba
• Marina Cienfuegos
• Marina Cayo Largo

No Entry Ports:

• Marina Trinidad
• Marina Tarará

Cuba follows the international practice established by custom authorities, so can not be imported to the country the following items:

• Narcotics, except those prescribed by therapy fully justified.
• Porno material, like photos, videos, magazines,etc
• Fire guns, except those for hunting which belong to the visitors who come to Cuba to practice hunting, and show the corresponding gun license.

The boat’s guns are not allowed on board while within the limit of the marina, in this case, they will remain under the custody of coast guard authorities, this act will be registered in the corresponding form. Once the boat live the marina they will be returned back and again another form will be filled with all the details.

In Cuba are medical and sanitary regulations like in the rest of the world, among others can be mentioned:

Boats carrying livestock, plants and uncanny meat on board, shall declare them all and show them to the competent authorities to be examined.
Boats carrying livestock on board shall have a certificate signed by a veterinary declaring that the animal was properly vaccinated against hydrophobia.
No livestock without special permission is allowed to disembark.
No person is allowed to unload either dump of rubbish or livestock or vegetable waste into the water of Cuba or into marina installations.

MARINAS

http://www.nauticamarlin.com/
http://www.gaviota-grupo.com/

The access by sea also is possible (to the aim it is that Cuba is an archipelago) and this can be realised through the following navy and terminals of cruises:

* Navy Hemingway, in the City of Havana
* Cubanco, Terminal of Cruises, in the City of Havana
* Puertosol Tarará, in Havana of the East, City of Havana
* Puertosol Dock of Dock, in Dock
* Chapelín, in Dock * Gull Dock, in Dock
* Puertosol Coco-Key Key Guillermo, in the Gardens of the King, province of Blind person of Avila
* The marine International Port of Bollard, in Holguín
* Center the International of Puertosol Diving Maria the Fat person, Pinar del Rio
* Gull Island of Youth, River the Houses, in Island of Pines
* Puertosol Long Key of the South, Island of Pines
* Puertosol Cienfuegos, in Cienfuegos
* Fat end, in Santiago of Cuba
* Terminal of Cruises, in Santiago of Cuba.

In case the arrival is by sea the crews must communicate with the harbor authorities before entering territorial waters (12 miles nautical from the insular platform). The communications with the harbor authorities can settle down by channel HF (SSB) 2760 of National Coastal Network and 2790 of the Tourist Network, or by VHF by Channel 68 for National Coastal the Network or Channel 16 for the Tourist Network

Surrounded by the Caribbean, Cuba has, along its 70,000 square kilometres of sea-beds, exuberant underwater life with 850 kilometres of beautiful coral reefs, exotic fish and other sea species. Its transparent and warm waters with 40-meter-vertical-visibility and its stable sea streams made these coasts an ideal place for diving and nautical sports. Coral gardens, caves, gorgonian and sponge prairies, sunken ships full of legends and tales, walls, narrow channels, tunnels and other attractions encourage night and day diving and to enjoy this unique sea. Marina Gaviota, our division specialized in nautical activities, has tempting offers and programs that challenge the imagination and invite you to experience the charm of the Caribbean waters.

Marina Gaviota Varadero

Located at the end of the Autopista Sur, on the eastern tip of the beautiful Varadero beach, it is considered one of the world’s most spectacular marinas for its high quality seabed, sands and waters. The Gaviota Varadero Marina has a modern fleet of boats, featuring catamarans, and 35 docks that will soon be added, thus consolidating its services as an international marina. In addition, it offers the possibility of having lunch in virgin keys, daily excursions for trekking, fishing, swimming with dolphins, snorkelling in the coral reefs; experience an undersea park, the magic of Piedras del Norte Key, and enjoy the exquisite food of El Galeon restaurant, specialized in seafood.

Telf: (53 45) 66-7755
Email: dir_marina@delvar.gav.tur.cu
Sitio: www.gaviota-grupo.com

Marina Gaviota Puerto de Vita

This Marina, located on Vita bay, Holguin province, has an access canal 100 meters (maximum width) and 30 meters (minimum), which allows the use of radar and night navigation. It has 38 docks which offer water, electricity and satellite TV services. It also offers ship-handling services, fuel, lubrication, international telephone, bathroom, laundry, restaurant and garbage collection services. This marina is surrounded by a mountain range and beaches with coral reefs rich in wildlife, which make it an ideal destination for those seeking fun and recreation in Caribbean waters.
Its main offers are day and night catamaran excursions, fishing, diving and life on board.

Telf: (53 24) 3-0445 / 46
Email: marvita@enet.cu
Sitio: www.gaviota-grupo.com

Marina Gaviota Cabo de San Antonio

In Pinar del Rio, specifically in Guanahacabibes Peninsula, in Las Tumbas beach Marina Gaviota Cabo de San Antonio, just opened its services, with 27 spectacular diving areas and a Diving Centre with a particularly impressive seabed. Only 4 kilometres away, Cabo de San Antonio Marina also has it own Villa for divers and their companions lodging in 16 air-conditioned rooms, with private bathrooms, satellite TV, international telephone service, mini-bar, and safe, which complement the marina’s offer, located in a region proclaimed as a Bio-sphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1987.

Telf: (53 33) 75-0118 / 64
Email: diradjunto@marinasgaviota.co.cu
Sitio: www.gaviota-grupo.com

Marina Gaviota Cayo Santa Maria

The Gaviota Cayo Santa Maria Marina and its Diving Centre –located in Cuba’s north central part, specifically in Las Brujas Key- is connected to the mainland by a long stone road called Pedraplen, which is part of the key’s virgin scenery attractions. Its excellent privileged waters, the seabed and 10 diving areas, are of special interest for professional or non-professional divers interested in swimming among cuberas, local cherna, barracuda, etc. while surrounded by corals, algae and small caves.Diving can be done up to ten meters. It also offers first-step lessons in the swimming pool at the Sol Melia and Cayo Coco hotel facilities.

Telf: (53 42) 35-0213
Email: brujagav@enet.cu
Sitio: www.gaviota-grupo.com

Marina Gaviota María La Gorda

The Diving Centre is located in Cabo Corrientes Natural Reserve at the Guanacahabibes Peninsula, in Cuba’s extreme west-end. The area was formed by surfacing coral reefs dragged by the Mexican Gulf’s streams and counter streams.

Telf: (53 82) 77-8131 / 1306
Email: comercial@mlagorda.co.cu
Sitio: www.gaviota-grupo.com

Diving & Snorkeling


The World Organization of the Tourism (OMT) opportunely gave to Cuba between the 27 most important destinations of the world for diving.
Also, 39 International Diving Centers, with 200 instructors and guides, 66 crafts for this practice and thousand recognized points of immersion. 10 Hyperbaric cameras include this system which guarantees the safety of the divers.

On the insular platform

On Cuba’s coral reefs, divers and snorkelers can get up close and personal with thousands of vibrant underwater species, fabulous topography and unusual wrecks. World-class dive sites, equipment and instructors combine to make the Cuban underwater experience one to revisit again and again. Jacques Cousteau thought so, too—when he filmed Cuba, Waters of Destiny.
Cuba’s 30 dive centres provide packages for everyone—from novices to pros. Some also provide certification as well as courses in marine photography, night diving and other interests. Most centres are near hotels and resorts, and have equipment for rent. However, underwater photographers should bring their own camera equipment, silicone and film to ensure they get the shots they need. Cuba also has several recompression chambers.

Highlights of Cuba’s underwater world:

Much treasure lies beneath the unpolluted waters of the Cuban archipelago, which offers through-water visibility of 30 to 40 metres. Home to more than 500 varieties of fish, crustaceans, sponges, mollusks and coral, Cuba’s ecosystem is one of the most treasured in the Caribbean. And the wrecks of several 17th- and 18th-century Spanish galleons carrying valuable cargo provide treasure-hunting of a different sort.
Today, CARISUB, [link to this company’s Web site] a Cuban marine archeological organization, charters salvage tours of such sites around Cuba. One well preserved wreck that went down more than 100 years ago near Santiago de Cuba is the 6,800-ton El Cristobal Colon, once the pride of the Spanish navy. The wreck is also home to colourful underwater life that is either attached to the hull or weaves playfully in and out.
Spectacular canyons and caves harbour natural treasures galore. You can see eye to eye with angelfish, blue chromis, squirrelfish, snook, groupers and more. You can gaze in awe at tortoises, sharks, blue marlin and swordfish. Or visit coral gardens that rival any on earth. And take home memories to brag about.

Main dive sites:

Los Canarreos Archipelago: Has 56 designated dive sites at Puertosol Colony International Scuba Centre and Cayo Largo del Sur.
Guanahacabibes Peninsula: Access to more than 50 dive sites from María La Gorda International Scuba Centre.
Havana: Has 72 scuba sites available through four international diving centres. Immersion area is more than 100 kilometres long and three kilometres wide. Some 20 kilometres east of thecity lies a coastal belt of white coral sand.
Santa Lucía: An extensive coral reef just off this beach resort has 34 designated dive points and numerous shipwrecks.
Varadero: Has more than 25 diving sites. Especially popular is the Cayo Piedras del Norte underwater park, where old yachts, frigates and planes have been deliberately sunk for recreational exploration.
Playa Girón: The top attraction here is the sheer drop off the island’s underwater platform.
Northern coast of Holguín: More than 20 dive sites are located just off Esmeralda and Guardalavaca beaches.
Ancón Peninsula: This area’s two well defined dive sites are Ancón and Cayo Blanco de Casilda.
Santiago de Cuba: Scuba centres operate out of Baconao Park (Sigua and Bucanero) and Guamá municipality. Site of the Caribbean’s best preserved sunken ship, the Spanish warship Cristóbal Colón.
Cienfuegos: International jet-ski competitions are held here every year, as are occasional speedboat competitions.
Jardines del Rey: In Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo, coral reefs offer attractive underwater landscapes.

Farther information:

http://www.cubaweb.cu/en/diving