Asian Diver – March 2018

ECOTOURISM

ABOVE: A pair of silky sharks just under the surface at sunset,

an iconic image of Jardines de la Reina

IMAGE: Jim Chen

http://www.cubandivingcenters.com

AVALON CUBAN
DIVING CENTER

Where: Jardines de la Reina
Marine Park, Cuba
Diving: The Jardines de la Reina
Marine Park, Spanish for “Gardens of
the Queen”, is known for being one of
the few accessible virgin coral reefs
in the world. Sharks in the region
depend on the reef systems for food
and cleaning stations. To protect
the sharks and reef, Avalon Cuban
Diving Center only hosts up to 3,000
divers a year. The park boasts the
biggest populations of adult fish in
the Caribbean and is home to seven

species of sharks, including the

whale shark. It has many deep dive

sites ranging from 15 to 40 metres

in depth, with gentle to moderate

currents and nice, warm waters.

Classic Dives:

Vicente – One of the deepest dive sites,

it features coral mountains up to 40

metres in depth, leading to a drop-

off down to 800 metres. Rare black

coral colonies line the mountains and

hammerhead sharks frequent the area.

Black Coral I and II – This dive site is

24 to 30 metres deep and offers a more

intimate experience with marine life. A

seasoned resident population

of over 30 reef sharks tends to

swim close to divers. Throngs of

curious parrotfish, black groupers,

and schools of jacks can be found

throughout the sandy channel

surrounded by corals.

When: Whale sharks from July to

November. Diving available

year-round.

Requirements:

• Open Water Diver certification


• Advanced Open Water Diver and
  nitrox certification needed for
  deeper dives