Cuba Scuba Diving and Educational Workshop: December 26, 2020 – January 2, 2021
$3,599 per diver
Scuba dive Cuba’s spectacular Gardens of the Queen marine park on this Humanitarian Environmental Project hosted aboard the brand-new Avalon IV liveaboard. Travel to Cuba under this program is legal for U.S. citizens and residents.
This licensed environmental project visit examines the relationship of Cuban citizens with their natural environment, including socioeconomic and cultural issues brought about by Cuba’s growing ecotourism industry. The exchange also represents an opportunity to explore important environmental issues that impact the marine waters that both nations share through face-to-face interaction. The environment, and particularly the marine environment, is something that both biologically and culturally joins Cuba and the U.S. Visitors will meet with Cuban scientists and resource managers and perform citizen science.
You’ll spend seven nights on board a beautiful brand-new liveaboard dive vessel, Avalon IV, in the heart of Cuba’s Gardens of the Queen (Jardines de la Reina) National Park, located 60 miles off the southern coast of Cuba, an archipelago comprising a chain of 250 virgin coral and mangrove islands extending along 75 miles of turquoise waters. Gardens of the Queen was featured on an award-winning segment of the CBS news program, 60 MINUTES hosted by Anderson Cooper. Gardens of the Queen is Cuba’s first marine park and the largest no-take marine reserve in the Caribbean, where much of the story lies underwater. U.S. visitors will accompany Cuban specialists and scuba dive in one of the healthiest marine ecosystems remaining in the Caribbean.
Space is limited. Visitation to Cuba’s Gardens of the Queen is limited by the Cuban government, and capacity on this charter has now been limited for social distancing.
E-mail us now to scuba dive in Cuba on the Caribbean’s healthiest and most exciting reefs!
· Arrive Santa Clara, Cuba (SNU) or Cayo Coco (CCC) before 1 pm. · Arrival in Havana is possible a day prior, on December 25, 2020. · Land transfer to Jucaro, Ciego de Avila province, for boat transfer to Avalon IV liveaboard. · Briefing, orientation, welcome mojito and dinner.
· Three dives each day for six days by dive tender, exploring Cuba’s Jardines de la Reina Marine Reserve · One night dive during the week, for a total of 18 dives plus one night dive. · Participate in fish counts as Citizen Scientists to help monitor the protected area · Engage in discussions and presentations with Cuban marine biologists to learn why the reefs in Jardines de la Reina are the healthiest in the Caribbean · Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks all included on board
· Early morning light breakfast · Morning transfer to port and on to Santa Clara (SNU), Cayo Coco (CCC), or Havana (HAV). Please note, if you choose to return from Havana, your flight MUST depart no earlier than 3:30 pm. It is a six-hour transfer by road back to Havana. Santa Clara and Cayo Coco are much closer options.
If you are coming only for the week of diving, please plan to arrive Santa Clara, Cuba on the morning of December 26 at 11:02 am on Copa Airlines. You will need to depart the USA no later than the evening of December 25 in order to make the connection in Panama City, Panama (PTY) on the morning of December 26.
You can also fly from Toronto (YYZ) to Cayo Coco (CCC) on the morning of December 26 on WestJet.
Arrivals in Havana (HAV) can be accommodated; however, you will need to arrive no later than December 25. We can assist with lodging and transfers. Please note, it is a six-hour transfer from Havana to Jucaro on the morning of December 26. It’s much closer to fly to Santa Clara (SNU) or Cayo Coco (CCC).
Schedule your departure after our Cuba Scuba liveaboard on Saturday, January 2 from Havana after 3:30 pm, or on Copa Airlines from Santa Clara (SNU) on Saturday, January 2 after noon. Departing from SNU cuts the ground transfer time in half, though it may extend your total travel time to return home via Panama. Please e-mail us for flight suggestions at no cost, and indicate your preferred departure airport.
Flying from the U.S., you’ll need to indicate to the airline that you are traveling on a “Workshops & Education” visit. You’ll receive a letter from us authorizing your travel under Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) of the US Treasury regulations, and you’ll need to print it and carry it with you while traveling.
· Seven nights on board the brand new Avalon IV liveaboard, double occupancy (single occupancy available with a supplement) · Full schedule of authorized educational conference activities, meeting the U.S. Treasury OFAC requirements for legal travel from USA · Seven breakfasts, seven lunches, and seven dinners. · English-speaking Cuban cruise director and dive guides, plus bilingual American host.
· International airfare to and from Santa Clara, Cuba (SNU), Cayo Coco (CCC), or Havana (HAV). · Travel Insurance · $200 port and park fees and $100 OFAC license fee · Tips to Cuban crew (cash only) · Equipment rental of $250 week if needed · Nitrox $100 if desired, for those divers certified to use EANx. Due to US Treasury regulations, all extras such as equipment rental and Nitrox must be pre-paid.
$3599 per person, double occupancy. Reduced price single supplement of just $700, or we are happy to match you with a roommate of the same gender. A $750 deposit to hold your space is due upon booking. Second deposit of $1000 due August 26. Balance due 60 days prior to departure on October 26, 2020.
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