Water Adventures
One of the best places in the world for water sports, Cuba is an island paradise blessed with calm, clear water and spectacular scenery, both above and beneath the sea. Strategically located at the entrance to the Gulf of Mexico, the archipelago is caressed by the warm Caribbean Sea on the south and the Atlantic Ocean on the north, giving it great biological richness and a breathtaking diversity of marine species. The insular shelf boasts 3,400 km of coral reefs – among the largest, richest and best preserved in the world – with large coral formations that protect the area from strong sea currents. Here you will discover 1,000 species of fish and 1,100 species of crustaceans, along with 58 different kinds of coral, 160 varieties of sponges and 68 types of gorgonians. There are also many species of sea turtles, sharks and rays, as well as bottle-nosed dolphins and endangered manatees. Scuba divers can navigate the complex seabed, with its profusion of caves, tunnels, cliffs and shipwrecks, at prime spots off the coast of Varadero or Jardines del Rey to the north, Santiago de Cuba to the south, or the westernmost tip of Pinar del Río.
Bahía de Baracoa Yacht Club
Hop aboard a catamaran for an excursion to the lovely Miel River Cove.
Río Toa
Cuba’s widest river springs from the peaks of Guantánamo’s mountains, flows through tropical rainforest and meets the sea near Baracoa. Arrange a boat or kayak trip at the Rancho Toa.
Trimaran Tour to Cayo Rico
Sail over to Cayo Rico, where you’ll be sure to spot some iguanas. The trimaran tour to Cayo Rico includes a stop at the beach, snorkeling, lunch and an open bar.
Blue and Ciprey Catamaran
Enjoy a day-tour on a small catamaran, from which you can go snorkeling along the coral barrier, visit Cayo Iguana and swim in the sea. The tour includes a lobster lunch and an open bar.
Marina Internacional Cayo Largo
This bustling marina has a floating pier with 36 docking points available for mid-sized yachts.
Club Cienfuegos
Book a kayak excursion or windsurfing session here.
Marlin Marina Cienfuegos
Book a deep-sea fishing trip or a leisurely bay cruise at this marina located just a few blocks north of Hotel Jagua.
Sunset Cruise
Watch the sun sink into the blue sea on a tranquil sunset yacht tour. Departs from Marea del Portillo.
Open Seafari
Embark on a seafari cruise that glides along the Portillito Ensenada lake out to the open sea. Another popular seafari route takes you to Cayo Blanco, where you can enjoy lunch on the beach.
Tarará Marina
Head over to this marina located about 19 km east of Havana to schedule a sail around the area’s spectacular coral reefs.
Marina Hemingway
Home of the famous Ernest Hemingway fishing tournament, this is one of Cuba’s best-known marinas, and can accommodate incoming yachts, cruise ships and sailboats.
Marina Gaviota Puerto de Vita
This bustling marina is an international entry port, and a great place to book water adventures. Enjoy a leisurely sunset cruise or take a catamaran trip up the protected wildlife park at Cayo Saetia.
Marlin Marina
Book a boat tour or simply watch the ships roll in and out of this international port on Cayo Guillermo.
Por la Ruta Hemingway
Visit the keys that Hemingway mentions in his beloved novel, Islands in the Stream.
Boat Adventure
Weave through Cayo Guillermo’s mangrove channels on a two-hour eco-tour.
Río Hatiguanico
Spend an afternoon sailing along this river and observing the peninsula’s rich local wildlife, including an array of rare birds, turtles and crocodiles.
Marina Gaviota
Book a sailing excursion, a deep-sea fishing trip or just watch the yachts come and go at this busy marina.
Coral Tour
Learn about Santa Lucia’s marine ecosystem on a guided motorboat tour of the coastline.
Catamaran to Playa Bonita
Enjoy a leisurely catamaran tour of the stunning Santa Lucia coastline. The trip includes two snorkel stops, a seafood lunch on the beach at the pristine Playa Bonita as well as music and drinks on board.
Marina Marlin Punta Gorda
This major marina docks and services cruise ships and international vessels.
Marlin Marina Dársena
Climb aboard a deep-sea fishing vessel at this marina located just west of Varadero.
Marina Gaviota
Sail on in to the Marina Gaviota. It is also equipped to handle incoming sailors and international vessels.
Marina Marlin Darsena de Varadero
This is an authorized port for non-Cuban vessels, and capable of accommodating incoming sailors.
Marina Gaviota
Book a catamaran cruise at this marina located next to Villa Las Brujas.
Marina Internacional Cayo Largo
Set off on your own fishing adventure from here. The region is great for deep-sea fishing: you can reel in sierras, tuna, snapper, stone bass and more. Or try your hand at fly-fishing, and bait some bonefish, shad and Ray’s bream.
Albacora Marea del Portillo Diving Centre
Reel in some snapper, grouper, marlin and barracudas on a fishing yacht that departs from here. The guided fishing excursions include fishing tackles and an open bar.
Marina Hemingway
Home of the famous Ernest Hemingway fishing tournament, this is one of Cuba’s best-known marinas, and can accommodate incoming yachts, cruise ships and sailboats.
Marina Gaviota Puerto de Vita
Embark on a deep-sea fishing excursion from here, and get ready to reel in The Big One.
Marlin Marina
Cayo Guillermo was famous for deep-sea fishing even before Hemingway ’discovered’ it. Experience the same thrills by booking an excursion from this marina.
Marina Marlin Aguas Tranquilas
Set off on a deep-sea fishing trip from this marina near Meliá Cayo Coco.
La Redonda
The trout and largemouth bass are plentiful in this 4-sq-km natural lake, the site of an international black bass fishing tournament every year.
La Isleta
Reel in some snapper, tarpon and barracuda at this quiet mangrove-lined enclave located 60 kilometres from the city of Las Tunas.
Gran Parque Natural Montemar
Stop by the National Park Office to arrange a fishing trip in the area. Laguna de las Salinas is perfect for fly-fishing, while the Hatiguanico River is rich with bonefish, tarpon and manjuari.
Open-Sea Fishing
Embark on a fishing yacht that departs from Shark’s Friends, and bait some dorado, barracudas, sierra, peto, cubera and snappers.
Embalse Zaza (Zaza Reservoir)
Enjoy excellent freshwater fishing in Cuba's largest man-made reservoir. Located in Sancti Spíritus, the provincial capital, close to Trinidad.
Marlin Marina Trinidad
Book your fishing excursions here, including deep-sea fishing, fly-fishing and bottom-fishing.
Marlin Marina Dársena
Climb aboard a deep-sea fishing vessel at this marina located just west of Varadero.
Marlin Marina Chapelin
Book an all-inclusive fishing excursion here, complete with an open bar.
Marina Gaviota
Book a deep sea fishing excursion at this marina.
Hanabanilla Lake
Reel in a large mouth bass or a tasty trout at this mountain reservoir, one of the largest in Cuba.
Avalon Diving Center (Jardines de la Reina)
Jardines de la Reina, an archipelago off of Cuba’s southern coast, boasts 93 stunning dive sites where you can swim alongisde two different types of tropical sharks: Caribbean Reef Sharks and Silky Sharks. The archipelago’s diving area contains the most extensive range of marine habitats on the Cuban insular shelf. You can access the remote archipelago via boat from the town of Jucaro.
Shark’s Friends Dive Centre (Santa Lucia)
Set out to Santa Lucia’s 35 dive sites, including Poseidon and Valentina, from this well-equipped dive centre. The dive masters can guide you on scuba or snorkeling adventures along Cuba’s longest coral reef formation. Be sure to inspect the assortment of shipwrecks dating as far back as the 19th century, like the Mortera and the Pizarro. Night dives are also available.
Marina Internacional Cayo Largo
Most of the Cayo Largo dive excursions depart from this busy marina. There are 30 points of interest in and around the key, including intricate coral bottoms and steep walls covered with gorgonians.
Colony International Scuba Diving Centre (Isla de la Juventud)
This renowned dive centre services 56 dive sites, including access to the National Maritime Park at Punta Francés, one of the world’s most outstanding diving areas. The centre hosts Fotosub, the prestigious international underwater photography competition.
Albacora Marea del Portillo Diving Centre
Set out to the region’s dive sites from here and head toward Cabo Cruz, at the southwestern tip of eastern Cuba, where you can see beautiful formations of staghorn coral, gorgonians, common sea fans and a profusion of fish.
Jibacoa
Snorkel among the colourful reef formations, gallop on horseback along the shoreline or bike through the nearby hills at this pristine beach located 45 km from Havana.
Centre Coral Reef
Book your scuba or snorkel session at this Guardalavaca dive centre.
Eagle Ray Marlin Dive Centre
Look for this Guardalavaca dive centre behind the Disco Club La Rocha.
Marlin Marina
Head down to this Cayo Guillermo dive centre to book your undersea adventure in the key’s stunning, crystal-clear waters.
Marlin Dive Centre
This bustling Cayo Coco dive centre is located on the west side of Hotel Tryp. It services a 10 km diving area, and offers open-water certification courses.
Playa Bonita
Take a catamaran ride off the coast of Playa Bonita and enjoy snorkeling stops and a seafood lunch.
Punta Covarrubias
Explore one of the area’s 12 dive sites. The coral reef begins 1.5 kilometres from the shore and extends for 6 kilometres.
Punta Perdiz
The shallow water here is perfect for snorkeling.
Cenote de los Peces
There are underwater caves to explore in these deep blue waters. The cenote is a flooded tectonic fault located inland, midway between Playa Girón and Playa Larga.
Caleta Buena
Don’t miss this quiet cove located 8km from Playa Girón. Stop by the sales office to book an underwater adventure.
Club Octopus International Diving Centre
This scuba centere located just west of Playa Larga also services the vibrant Bahía de Cochinos dive sites.
International Scuba Centre
Book an amazing underwater adventure in the Bahía de Cochinos at this large diving centre located at Villa Playa Girón. Swim through the bay’s spectacular caves and marvel at the array of underwater life, including star coral, sponges and colorful tropical fish.
Cayo Levisa
The colourful coral reefs around this tiny island, off the northern coast of the Península de Guanahacabibes, are home to an astonishing array of sealife, including marlin and other game-fish.
María la Gorda
See giant sea turtles, gorgonnese gardens and the largest colony of black coral in the Caribbean off the secluded shores of María la Gorda. Legends of pirates abound, with plenty of evidence to back them up: anchors, old cannons and other treasures lying on the seabed near the coast of tranquil Ensenada de Corrientes.
Shark’s Friends Dive Centre (Santa Lucia)
Set out to Santa Lucia’s 35 dive sites, including Poseidon and Valentina, from this well-equipped dive centre. The dive masters can guide you on scuba or snorkeling adventures along Cuba’s longest coral reef formation. Be sure to inspect the assortment of shipwrecks dating as far back as the 19th century, like the Mortera and the Pizarro. Night dives are also available.
Marea del Portillo
Explore the shipwrecks from Spanish Admiral Cervera’s ill-fated fleet that sank here during the Spanish-Cuban-American War in 1898.
Sierra Mar International Dive Centre
Navigate deep drops in the seabed and marvel at the ridges, hillocks and walls at one of the 24 dive sites this centre services.
Marlin Bucanero Dive Centre
Jump into some of Cuba’s warmest waters from here.
Marlin-Sigua Dive Centre
This centre services 24 dive sites where underwater adventurers can survey shipwrecks and handfeed black groupers.
Cayo Blanco International Dive Centre
Explore an amazing variety of marine life and black coral from this diving centre located at the Marina.
Ancón Peninsula
The narrow insular shelf has a sandy bottom with patches of coral forming tunnels and towering ridges. You will see an extraordinary diversity of marine sponges, black coral and tropical fish.
Laguna de Maya, Playa Coral
Halfway between Matanzas and Varadero, this is a great spot to go snorkeling.
Barracuda Diving Centre
This is known as Varadero’s premiere scuba centre because of its friendly staff and impressive facilities.
Cayo Piedra Underwater Park
Explore the shipwrecks and deliberately sunk military equipment filled with colourful tropical fish and crustaceans.
Marina Gaviota
Book a scuba or snorkeling session at this busy marina. Take advantage of the area’s shallow waters boasting colourful coral reefs and intriguing shipwrecks.
