Scuba Diving

Under this section, we step out of the realm of horses and delve into the depths of the sea.

During my journey around the world, I developed a taste for diving and thus decided to become a divemaster in Malaysia.

In my worldwide adventure, I had the opportunity to dive in 16 countries: Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Panama, Ecuador, Chile, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Cuba, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Egypt, and in the lakes of Switzerland.

Today, I live in Viñales, and one of Cuba’s best diving spots is located in María la Gorda, a 2-hour and 45-minute drive from Viñales.

Unfortunately, María la Gorda is not served by public transportation, even though this place is truly worth discovering for its marine life-filled seabeds and corals.

For all the reasons mentioned above, I decided to help passionate divers reach María la Gorda.

The JMC Viñales Aventura team will assist you in organizing transportation and accommodation at reasonable prices.

We could go explore these marine depths together!

What to see in scuba diving at Maria La Gorda?

The underwater landscapes in Cuba are composed of coral reefs among the most beautiful in the Caribbean and the world. There are hundreds of different corals, including black corals and rare elephant ear corals. In these coral gardens, with giant gorgonians and sponges, a large part of the Caribbean fauna lives, with more than 900 species of fish recorded.

You will encounter marine turtles, barracudas, large groupers, tarpons, moray eels, rays, jacks, yellowhead wrasses, blue surgeons, trunkfish, angelfish, parrotfish, flying gurnards, numerous cleaner shrimp specimens, porcelain crabs, dozens of species of nudibranchs, and even on some dive sites, sharks.

Diving conditions

In Cuba, diving visibility is generally good, often exceeding 40 meters. Marine currents are usually mild, and the water temperature remains consistent throughout the year, ranging between 25 and 30°C.

Fédérations de plongée à Cuba

Cuba is the only country in the world where dive centers are not affiliated with the major American diving federations PADI and SSI. This is due to historical and political reasons related to the relations between Cuba and the United States. The only diving federation certifying in Cuba is ACUC (American Canadian Underwater Certifications).

ACUC (American Canadian Underwater Certifications) International ACUC Federation

Where to stay in Maria la Gorda?

In Maria la Gorda, there is a government hotel called CIB Maria La gorda Hôtel

If you want to stay there for a night or more, you should go to reserve it at the Infotur office in Viñales, one or two days before your stay in Maria La Gorda.

The closest casas particulares to Maria La Gorda are located 14 km away. We do not recommend them if you do not have your own vehicle.

Contact us for any additional information and for reservations; we are available to assist you.

Explore the Maria la Gorda site and diving locations through this map

Así es como funciona una dirección en Cuba: siempre habrá una calle principal donde se encuentra la casa y dos calles perpendiculares entre las cuales está ubicada su casa

Aquí tienes un ejemplo :

Exemple-Adresse-JMC-Vinales-aventure.jpeg
Exemple-Plan-JMC-Vinales-aventure

Here’s how an address works in Cuba: there will always be the main street where the house is located and two perpendicular streets between which your house is situated

Here is an example :

Exemple-Adresse-JMC-Vinales-aventure.jpeg
Exemple-Plan-JMC-Vinales-aventure

Voici comment fonctionne une adresse à Cuba : il y aura toujours la rue principale où se trouve la maison et deux rues perpendiculaires entre lesquelles se trouve votre maison

Voici un exemple :

Exemple-Adresse-JMC-Vinales-aventure.jpeg
Exemple-Plan-JMC-Vinales-aventure