Jardines del Rey

The Jardines del Rey (Kings' Garden) ranks 10th on the list of the best dive sites in Cuba. It is a group of small islands off the coast of Cuba, about 250 miles (450 kilometers) from Havana. Cayo Coco, Cayo Guillermo, Cayo Paredón Grande, Cayo Romano, Cayo Guajaba, Cayo Sabinal, Cayo Santa Maria, and Cayo Cruz are among the islands. Bridges link several of the islands to the main island and to one another. The majority of the diving takes place at Cayo Coco, Cayo Santa Maria, and Santa Luca, the latter of which is famous for its bull shark dives. Santa Lucia, on the other hand, boasts a diverse range of reefs, caves, and wrecks. Cayo Coco is particularly well-known for its spectacular coral reefs. Also, the islands of the Jardines del Rey are located near the Florida Strait, which is deep water. Therefore, the current in the area can be strong.

Jardines del Rey receives its curious name from the colonial era. Around 1513 and 1514, the Spaniards led by Diego Velázquez named the archipelago after King Ferdinand the Catholic, in contrast to other more southern islands, already named Jardines de La Reina (Queen's Gardens) in honor of Queen Isabella the Catholic. They have been able to design an exemplary way of growing tourism with environmental conservation. This is reflected in their virgin beaches and their biodiversity, but also in their construction. The Pedraplén is a road that connects the archipelago with the main island of Cuba and between its small keys. This engineering masterpiece was carried out taking into account the marine currents and wanting to reduce the harsh impact on nature.

Location: Ciego de Ávila and Camagüey, Cuba
Area: 120 miles