Scuba Diving in Cuba: The Bay of Pigs Guide
Beach views in Cuba by @jastkit provided by Unsplash
Introduction
If you are looking for an amazing scuba diving destination, Cuba should be at the top of your list.
Cuba is a Caribbean island nation known for its beautiful beaches, vibrant culture, and rich history. The water and dive sites nestled in the Bay of Pigs are home to a variety of marine life, including extensive coral reefs, shipwrecks, and caves. There are dive sites to suit all levels of experience, from beginner to advanced.
In this blog post, I focus on my own experience in Cuba’s town of Playa Larga and dive sites in the area. I will also cover:
Why I chose Cuba for scuba diving
What to consider when planning your scuba trip
Dive sites conditions and what you can expect to see
Biodiversity and structures I saw underwater
*Important Note: Cuba is still under a 60+ year US BLOCKADE. Basically, the US government has imposed sanctions deeming it illegal to trade, import, or export nearly anything with Cuba.
Why I chose Cuba for scuba diving
If you’re like me, I scouted and chose Cuba for its well-preserved underwater world.
It’s well known that Fidel Castro enjoyed scuba diving. There were many attempts to assassinate Fidel while scuba diving.
Fidel Castro: The CIA's 7 Most Bizarre Assassination Attempts (NBC news)
Fidel Castro: Dodging exploding seashells, poison pens, and ex-lovers (BBC)
Thus, many laws and protected areas were created for marine conservation. There’s a strong commitment to conservation and the coral reefs are the shining examples in Cuba.
Lately, I’ve been more intentional with traveling to countries closer to the US to experience the underwater world a little closer to home. My past travels have largely been in Southeast Asia, while the coral reefs in the Coral Triangle are unmatched, I am ready to see some sharks and other oceanic megafauna.
Playa de Cuba by @lenina24 provided by Unsplash
Bahía de Cochinos aka Bay of Pigs
A popular among locals as a snorkeling & diving destination known for clear waters, abundant fish life & the failed 1961 anti-Castro invasion led by the US government.
The Playa Gíron and Playa Larga are towns along the Bay of Pigs located on the southern coast of Cuba and known for diving. The waters around the Bay of Pigs are gorgeously turquoise and warm. It’s home to a variety of marine life, including coral reefs, shipwrecks, and caves. The entire coast that lines the Bay has many dive sites and the surrounding areas cater to divers. The main road leads directly into Parque Nacional Ciénaga de Zapata Marshlands & forests on a boot-shaped peninsula, home to endangered species like Cuban crocodiles.
“In April 1961, Playa Girón was one of two landing sites for seaborne forces of about 1,500 armed Cuban exiles in the Bay of Pigs Invasion, an American CIA-sponsored attempt to overthrow the new government of Cuban Prime Minister Fidel Castro.” - Wikipedia - Playa Giron
Playa Cueva de los peces & Cueva de los peces, Bahía de cochinos, Matanzas, Cuba
Description/ Experience: Almost exactly the midpoint between Playa Larga and Playa Giron, this place is a well-developed and known spot for diving. This is a great place to go for a beginner dive or open water course. The water is shallow and calm. It’s directly off the main road almost like a side of the road kinda stop, but for snorkeling, scuba diving, and swimming. The inland side of the road has an on-site scuba and snorkel rental shop with tanks, masks, and snorkels.
Behind that area, there is a saltwater 70m deep cenote (sinkhole) you can swim for a fee. Dive guide Dennis took care of the tickets, so I don’t know the price.
Shore side there are jagged edge rock formations to ease into the water. It’s not really a beach, but there is tree shaded areas to lay down a blanket to chill. Think dried dead grass, not a sandy white beach.
Entry: Jagged edges, uneven rocky steps
Animals & Things: Huge purple sea fans, electric blue vase-like sponges stony coral, yellow tube sponges, Christmas tree worms, brain coral, four-eye butterflyfish
Los túneles, o perdiz 1. Bahía de Cochinos, Matanzas, Cuba:
Google maps: Punta Perdiz
IYKYK kinda place. There are no distinct markers that it’s a dive site or even a place to stop if you’re just flying down the main road of the area. The driver was a local often hired to transport scuba divers. We rode in a bare-bones-jeep-like heavy-duty vehicle outfitted specifically to tow scuba tanks, gear, and wet divers.
This is a great place to go for a more advanced dive. There’s a sunken ship full of coral and reef fishes, two swim through tunnels, and white sandy bottom where I saw a peaceful field of conch and squid gracefully existing.
There’s also a resident huge red snapper, who at first looked menacing because of its protruding bottom jaw and enlarged canine teeth. Dennis first pointed out the fish behind us. My initial reaction: how awesome, however, a few seconds later my brain registered that the fish was intentionally staring at us. It stayed in the clear opening staring directly at us the entire time we swam across a white sandy clearing. There have been only two times I’ve ever been scared underwater. Both times it was large fish with protruding teeth intentionally staring at me. Luckily this red snapper didn’t follow us like the barracuda that followed me in Indonesia. Later, we found out that the resident red snapper typically gets fed by divers, which is why it was staring at us waiting
Entry: Not sure how, but it seems like someone chiseled out some steps into the rocks for jagged stone steps for relative ease in and out of the water.
Animals & Things: Sunken ship, two swim through tunnels, a shoal of squid, a field of conchs, garden eels, a huge red snapper
Centro de buceo Punta Perdiz. Bahía de cochinos, Matanzas, Cuba
Description: Inside a resort-like dive club, this dive site proved to be unique, yet picturesque. Away from the shallows and descending into the depths, this dive site holds a sunken sink in shallow enough water to have plentiful coral growth on the ship. Excellent visibility this day means the boat was in crystal clear waters teeming with wildlife.
Entry: Jagged-edged, rock, uneven steps
Animals & Things: sunken boat with lots of coral, yellow snappers, parrot fish, blue-headed wrasse, brain coral
Travel Templates by @northfolk provided by Unsplash
What to consider before planning your trip?
Here are a few things to keep in mind when planning your scuba diving trip to the Bay of Pigs:
The best time to dive is during the winter months when the water is warmest.
The water temperature ranges from 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
The visibility is typically excellent, ranging from 100ft to 150 feet.
Be respectful of the environment: Remember that you are visiting a fragile ecosystem, so it is important to be respectful of marine life and the environment. Do not touch the coral or the fish, and do not leave any trash behind.
Respect your dive guide and heed their instructions.
Remember you’re a visitor in their country.
Need a travel template? Click here for an easy fill-in PDF.
Conclusion
Scuba diving in the Bay of Pigs is a great way to experience the underwater beauty of Cuba. No matter what your experience level or interests, you are sure to find a dive site that is perfect for you.
If you are looking for an unforgettable diving adventure, be sure to add Cuba to your list.
So what are you waiting for? Book your trip today and start exploring the underwater world of Cuba!
Watch more about Cuba:
PBS: Nature - Cuba: The Accidental Eden
Netflix: Cuba and the Cameraman
Anthony Bourdain’s - Parts Unknown: Cuba
Read More about Scuba diving and biodiversity in Cuba:
Reuters: Cubans grow corals, restore ailing barrier reef on shoestring budget
A more comprehensive overview of Playa Larga: “ Slow down in Playa Larga, Cuba’s under visited beach destination." by Paul & Mark of Anywhere We Roam.
Science News Explores: Exploring the mysteries of Cuba’s coral reefs
Further reading: My 8 Perfect Days in Cuba itinerary