Jardines de la Reina

Jardines de la Reina (Gardens of the Queen) ranks 1st on the list of the best dive sites in Cuba. It is located about 100km offshore of Cuba’s southern coast, the Jardines de la Reina are groups of small cays running parallel to the Cuban coast. Indeed, there are over 600 small cays covering a distance of 150 km. The majority of the archipelago is a marine sanctuary and is uninhabited. One dive operator, Avalon Cuban Diving Centers, has exclusive rights to conduct diving in the marine park. They operate four liveaboards and one small floating hotel. Of course, the different liveaboard boats are organized and are not cruising the same area at the same time. This means that you and the few other divers on your ship will be the only people diving on a site at a time.

The reefs around the marine park are pristine. Plus, the cold water, which comes from the nearby deep trenches, brings nutrients from the depths and keeps the corals healthy. Also, as we know, healthy coral then provides a great habitat for the reef fishes, which in turn will attract bigger fishes. The final result is a lush underwater landscape, teeming with marine life. Since fishing is not allowed, natural balances occur. The Jardines de la Reina has often been referred to as the most pristine reef in the Caribbean Sea. Lastly, note that the Aggressor Fleet has two new vessels in the area working in conjunction with the Avalon Fleet.

Location: Santa Cruz del Sur, Cuba
Area: 2.170 km²