Do You Want to Dive Cuba's Gardens of the Queen?

Not too long ago I worked the Scuba Travel Ventures booth at the Long Beach Scuba Show and a common question by attendees was "What do you know about scuba travel to Cuba"? Well, here is a basic rundown of what knowledge I have gathered since watching the U.S.-Cuban tourism saga unfold.

Time to begin a new relationship...

At the end of 2014, secret negotiations between the U.S. and Cuba came to the resolution that it was time to end hostilities and begin a new relationship between our countries. With this agreement the "People-to-People" tour program, originally implemented by President Clinton in 1999 and suspended by President Bush in 2004, was now resurrected by President Obama. As the name implies, the People-to-People initiative requires Americans to take part in various cultural experiences in Cuba, essentially putting them in direct contact with the people of Cuba with hopes of learning about the way of life in the country. With new U.S. relations blooming with the Cuban government, there would be an ease on travel restrictions that prevented most Americans from visiting Cuba. Now U.S. citizens would be allowed to visit the island nation without obtaining a special license as before, as long as their visit fell within one of the following 12 reasons:

1. Family visits
2. Official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations
3. Journalistic activity
4. Professional research and professional meetings
5. Educational activities
6. Religious activities
7. Public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions
8. Support for the Cuban people
9. Humanitarian projects
10. Activities of private foundations, research, or educational institutions
11. Exportation, importation, or transmission of information or information materials
12. Certain export transactions that may be considered for authorization under existing regulations and guidelines

Time to ease travel restrictions...

The Obama administration signaled that it would welcome a move by Congress to ease or lift the U.S. economic embargo on Cuba should lawmakers choose to do so, however, in early June of this year, the House of Representatives voted against relaxing Cuba travel restrictions, highlighting Congressional opposition to warmer relations with the country. Because of this, the complete dissolution of travel restrictions in regard to U.S. tourism in Cuba may be a long way off.

What does that mean to you? Basically, as long as you travel under and participate in a People-to-People permitted program on a full-time schedule, you are welcome. However, planning additional time to travel on your own in Cuba before or after your scheduled tour, although not impossible, but will require more effort. If you are interested in visiting a particular area or meeting with a particular institution during your visit and it is related to the educational theme of the program you have been visiting under, then your chosen tour operator may be able to work with you to develop an addendum to the program which would allow for your independent educational travel. However, you must keep in mind that tourism in its purest sense of the word is still forbidden to U.S. citizens within Cuba.

There is high demand on a small amount of hotel rooms...

Also keep in mind, even though the doors are slowly opening for U.S. citizens to travel to Cuba, there are no "cheap" trips to this island nation.  You need to remember, although we may have been restricted to tour this country, Cuba has remained a top tourist destination in the Caribbean for other countries, especially Canada, for many years, which puts a high demand on a small amount of hotel rooms and other needed infrastructure.  And don't count on prices dropping anytime soon. In fact, pricing has been increasing since President Obama's announcement in December 2014, reflecting the potential demand of future U.S. travelers. In addition, as long as the stringent guidelines for the People-to-People programs remain in effect, tour operators will continue to incur many costs to provide the additional staff and permits required to meet government educational guidelines. If you wish to travel to Cuba, it is strongly suggested that you book far in advance, so that tour operators can have an opportunity to secure necessary lodging for you.  As a scuba diver, your primary residence while visiting Cuba will be your liveaboard vessel, however, it will be necessary for you to have accommodations in Havana while transferring to and/or from your boat and airline charters.

A Few FAQ's

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What is the price for a liveaboard charter package to scuba dive Cuban waters?

Scuba trips to Cuba are generally either a 9 night/10 day program or a 10 night/11 day program. Pricing starts at US $4,884pp (not including airfare from Miami to Havana) up to US $8,865pp (which does include RT Miami-Havana air). Package inclusions vary and additional fees may apply.

Where will I be diving while in Cuba?

Six hours by bus from Havana to Cuba's southern coast, you will find the Gardens of the Queen. One of the largest marine parks in the Caribbean, it covers more than 837 square miles.

What is the best time to visit?

The Gardens of the Queen are accessible year-round. In Cuba the dry season runs November through April, the rainy season May through October. Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, peaking from late August through September. During the winter months, the northern portion of Cuba, including Havana, is subject to period cold fronts. However, Gardens of the Queen is protected from most cold fronts. 

What are the diving conditions?

Water temperature ranges from the mid-70s (F) in winter to the high-80s (F) in summer. Water visibility is generally best early in the year, peaking in February, and lowest in early summer. Visibility can change quickly — particularly with afternoon tides — from 100-plus feet down to 30 to 60 feet; good navigation skills are a plus. Although the diving requires no advanced training, divers visiting Gardens of the Queen should be comfortable with the possibility of sharks in close proximity on every dive. A whale shark migration traverses the area in October/November.

Want to know more about traveling to Cuba, feel free to send me your questions to Liz@ScubaTravelVentures.com

A final word to the wise...

Are you a diver who only wants to be underwater and has no interest in cultural exchanges or topside nature visits?  Then maybe Cuba's People-to-People tour programs aren't the right fit for you.

Are you flexible with last-minute schedule changes, or have the patience to work through small bureaucratic hassles?  If not, then maybe a visit to Cuba is not for you.

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