SCUBA EN CUBA

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CUBA DIVING OFFERS 2011-12

AN UNSPOILT DIVERS PARADISE

Scuba en Cuba

CUBA DIVING OFFERS INDEX:

1. MARIA LA GORDA - 2. THE ISLE OF YOUTH - 3. CAYO LARGO -

4. VARADERO – 5. PLAYA GIRON - 6. FARO DE LUNA - 7. TRINIDAD -

8. JARDINES DE LA REINA - 9. CAYO COCO - 10. SANTA LUCIA - 11. GUARDALAVACA –

12. SANTIAGO DE CUBA.

Please note many of our holidays start in the fascinating and historic City of Havana – where we also arrange accommodation.

HAVANA CITY

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1. MARIA LA GORDA

Maria La Gorda offers fantastic diving from a very beautiful and tranquil location. The area has excellent wall diving with colourful and abundant coral formations. Tropical fish are plentiful and whale sharks can be seen. Remnants of Spanish galleons are also found in the waters around Maria La Gorda.

ACCOMMODATION

Located next to a beautiful white sand beach, Maria La Gorda is a small and intimate Hotel. All rooms have private bathrooms and air-conditioning.

MARIA LA GORDA ONE WEEK from

£1085 - low season - double room £1100 - high season - double room

£1175 - low season - single room £1195 - high season - single room

Price includes: 6 nights full board accommodation – Maria la Gorda, 10 dives, 1 night Havana – b and b, international flights, and transfers: Havana Hotel – Maria la Gorda rtn

Not including: Tourist card £15. Taxi to hotel on arrival in Cuba.

High season – 01/11 to 07/12/11; 01/01 to 30/04, 01/07 to 15/09/12

Low season – 01/05 to 30/06, 16/09 to 31/10/12

Christmas rates on request

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MARIA LA GORDA / ISLE OF YOUTH

TWO CENTRE HOLIDAY from

£1560 - low season - based on sharing a double / twin room

£1600 - high season - based on sharing a double / twin room

£1700 - low season - single room £1755 high season - single room

Price includes: 14 nights: 6 nights full board accommodation - Maria La Gorda; 6 nights full board accommodation - Isle of Youth (Hotel Colony). 20 dives (10 in Maria La Gorda and 10 at the Isle of Youth). 2 nights at the Ambos Mundos Hotel in Havana (b and b). Transfers Havana Hotel - Maria La Gorda - Havana Airport. Return flight Havana - Isle of Youth. Transfers Isle of Youth airport - Hotel Colony rtn. International flights.

Not including: Tourist card £15. Taxi from airport to hotel in Havana on arrival in Cuba.

High season – 01/11 to 07/12/11; 01/01 to 30/04, 01/07 to 15/09/12

Low season – 01/05 to 30/06, 16/09 to 31/10/12

Christmas rates on request

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2. ISLE OF YOUTH

One of Cuba's most beautiful and exciting dive sites. Diving around the Isle of Youth gives you the chance to experience tunnels, grottoes, over 40 varieties of coral, and a multitude of tropical fish and turtles. This resort offers 56 spots for scuba diving. Other marine species found in this area include tarpon, groupers and rays.

ACCOMMODATION - Colony Hotel

The Colony Hotel offers 24 refurbished bungalows/rooms with en-suite bathroom facilities, telephone, radio and television. The Colony also has a swimming pool and two bars. Accommodation at the Colony Hotel is booked on a full board basis with 3 meals, and 2 dives a day.

ISLE OF YOUTH - ONE WEEK from

£1140 - low season - twin room £1170 - high season - twin room

£1205 - low season - single room £1240 - high season - single room

Price includes: 6 nights full board accommodation – Hotel Colony. 10 dives, 1 night Havana – b and b, domestic and international flights, and transfers: Isle of Youth Airport/Hotel Colony rtn.

Not including: Tourist card £15

High season – 01/11 to 07/12/11; 01/01 to 30/04, 16/07 to 31/08/12

Low season – 01/05 to 15/07, 01/09 to 31/10/12

Christmas rates on request

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MARIA LA GORDA / ISLE OF YOUTH

TWO CENTRE HOLIDAY from

£1560 - low season - based on sharing a double / twin room

£1600 - high season - based on sharing a double / twin room

£1700 - low season - single room £1755 high season - single room

Not including: Tourist card £15. Taxi from airport to hotel in Havana on arrival in Cuba.

High season – 01/11 to 07/12/11; 01/01 to 30/04, 01/07 to 15/09/12

Low season – 01/05 to 30/06, 16/09 to 31/10/12

Christmas rates on request

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FARO DE LUNA / ISLE OF YOUTH

TWO WEEK - TWO CENTRE HOLIDAY from

£1585 - low season - shared twin/dbl room - £1635 - high season – shared twin/dbl room

Price includes: 14 nights: 6 nights at Hotel Faro de Luna – half board; 6 nights at the Hotel Colony – full board; 2 nights Hotel Ambos Mundos – Havana b/b; 20 dives, transfers (excl to airport on departure to UK), return international flights.

£1750 - low season - based on using a single room.

£1840 - high season - based on using a single room.

Not including: Tourist card = £15

High season – 01/01 to 30/04, 16/07 to 31/08/12

Low season – 01/05 to 15/07, 01/09 to 31/10/12

Christmas rates on request

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3. CAYO LARGO

Pure white sand and turquoise seas characterise Cayo Largo. It is the perfect place to relax and enjoy water sports. The marine life is rich and plentiful. Chromis, snappers, groupers and tarpon abound. The corals and sponges are bright and varied and visibility is normally excellent. Short range and long range dives are offered as part of the diving package. The long range trips include some stunning wall dives.

ACCOMMODATION

Hotel Sol Pelicano has 307 rooms: 259 standard, 36 standard ocean view and 12 junior suites. This hotel also has 3 restaurants,

2 bars, 2 cafeterias and a pool and children’s pool. We can also offer a range of other hotels in Cayo Largo.

OTHER ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE IN CAYO LARGO – PRICES ON REQUEST

CAYO LARGO

10 NIGHTS from

£1460 – low season - shared double room £1605 – low season - single room

Price includes: 7 nights Sol Pelicano – all-inclusive, 10 dives, 3 nights Hotel Ambos Mundos b and b, domestic and international flights and transfers Havana Hotel – Villa Marinera – Havana Hotel.

Not including: Tourist card £15

Other Cayo Largo hotels also available – please ask for a quote

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4. VARADERO

Varadero is a popular diving site for those wishing to develop their scuba diving skills. Diving in this region is of a good quality including caves, wrecks, reefs and channels, offering over 20 dive sites. The beautiful 12 mile long Varadero beach offers the perfect spot for relaxation before and after a dive.

ACCOMMODATION – We can offer a range of accommodation in this region, including the all-inclusive Sol Palmeras, which offers 4 restaurants and 7 bars. This hotel also has 3 pools, and offers a range of water and land based sports.

VARADERO TWO WEEKS from

£1760 - shared double room

£1985 – single room

Price includes: 2 weeks all-inclusive accommodation (14 nights) at the Sol Palmeras, 20 dives, return international flights and transfers.

Not including: Tourist card £15

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5. PLAYA GIRON

The Bay of Pigs, famed for the failed American Invasion of 1961, is also known for its excellent shore diving. A typical sea dive at Playa Giron includes a short swim on the surface to the drop-off. Once below, there are some nice swim-throughs to get to the wall, where a range of large and colourful sponge species abound. You may also see a wreck. Returning to shore you pass over some lively and attractive patch reefs.

Playa Giron also offers inland cave diving, for more experienced divers.

ACCOMMODATION – Hotel Playa Giron offers simple yet comfortable accommodation. The hotel has two pools, as well as two bars, a restaurant and a stage for entertainment. Its bungalows all have en-suite facilities.

PLAYA GIRON

ONE WEEK (7 nights)

from

£1045 - shared double room.

Price includes:

1 week all-inclusive accommodation (7 nights) at Hotel Playa Giron,

10 dives, international flights and transfers.

£1160 - single room.

Not including: Tourist card £15

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6. FARO DE LUNA

- Photo courtesy of Cubanacan UK -

Faro de Luna is three hours from Havana - a quiet and beautiful dive site. From Faro de Luna’s romantic shoreline can be found ship wrecks, coral gardens, colourful sponges and a wide range of marine life including parrot fish, snapper, and barracuda to name but a few. Whale sharks can also be seen in this region.

ACCOMMODATION - Faro de Luna Hotel

Faro de Luna Hotel is a cosy shoreline Hotel. All rooms offer en-suite facilities and the friendly management at this hotel ensure that your stay will be a memorable one. The hotel also has a bar, restaurant, swimming pool, shop and post office. Excursions can be arranged from this hotel to Havana, Cienfuegos, and Trinidad.

FARO DE LUNA

ONE WEEK from

£1120 - low season - shared twin/dbl room

£1145 - high season – shared twin/dbl room

Price includes: 1 week half board accommodation (7 nights), 10 dives, return international flights and transfers.

£1230 low season - based on using a single room.

£1280 - high season - based on using a single room.

Not including: Tourist card = £15

High season – 01/01 to 30/04/12; Christmas rates on request

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FARO DE LUNA / ISLE OF YOUTH

TWO WEEK - TWO CENTRE HOLIDAY from

£1585 - low season - shared twin/dbl room - £1635 - high season – shared twin/dbl room

Price includes: 14 nights: 6 nights at Hotel Faro de Luna – half board; 6 nights at the Hotel Colony – full board; 2 nights Hotel Ambos Mundos – Havana; 20 dives, transfers (excl to airport on departure to UK), return international flights.

£1750 - low season - based on using a single room.

£1840 - high season - based on using a single room.

Not including: Tourist card = £15

High season – 01/01 to 30/04, 16/07 to 31/08/12

Low season – 01/05 to 15/07, 01/09 to 31/10/12

Christmas rates on request

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7. TRINIDAD

Hotel Brisas Trinidad del Mar

In Trinidad's waters you are likely to see various types of snapper, angel fish and damsel fish - to name but a few. Turtles are also found in this area. As well as offering good diving Trinidad is important from a cultural perspective. The city of Trinidad has been deemed by UNESCO as a world heritage site.

ACCOMMODATION – Hotel Brisas Trinidad del Mar

The all-inclusive Trinidad del Mar has 241 rooms, all with air-conditioning and en-suite facilities. A variety of water sports are offered, and the Hotel is adjacent to the beautiful Ancon beach. The Hotel is 15km from Trinidad City.

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TRINIDAD TWO WEEKS from

£1600 - low season – shared double room

£1720 - high season - shared double room

£1775 - low season - single room £1985 - high season - single room

Price includes: 2 weeks all-inclusive accommodation (14 nights) at the Brisas Trinidad del Mar, 20 dives, return international flights and transfers.

Not including: Tourist card £15

High season – 01/01 to 30/04/12, Xmas rates on request

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8. JARDINES DE LA REINA

Cuba has many excellent diving areas, but one of the best is certainly Los Jardines de La Reina (Gardens of the Queen). Located in South East Cuba, Los Jardines is an archipelago made up of hundreds of little islands - stretching approximately for 100 miles. In this region's waters are around sixty different species of fish to include groupers, rays, jack crevalle, bone fish and barracuda. Los Jardines de la Reina is famous for its sharks, including silky, blacktip and bull sharks. There is also the possibility of seeing turtles in this region. Another reason for visiting this area is to see sunken ships - including remnants of Spanish galleons from the seventeenth century.

ACCOMMODATION - Tortuga Lodge – floating hotel

The Tortuga Lodge - a floating hotel - acts as an excellent base from which to explore Los Jardines de La Reina by boat. Accommodation on the Tortuga consists of seven rooms with en-suite bathrooms and air conditioning. Rooms can be booked on a four bedded, triple, double or single basis.

JARDINES DE LA REINA

12 DAYS/11 NIGHTS

LA TORTUGA from

£2245 - shared double room – low season

£2620 - shared double room – high season

Single rates available on request

Price includes: 6 nights full board accommodation on the floating Hotel - La Tortuga, 5 nights Havana - Hotel Ambos Mundos b&b, 12 dives, Road transfers Havana – Jucaro rtn and boat transfers Jucaro – Tortuga rtn. International flights. Diving licence for Los Jardines National Park.

Not including: Tourist card £15.

Low Season – 02/06 to 26/10/12. Xmas rates on request

You can also dive Los Jardines de La Reina from four liveaboards.

The 18m Caballones accommodates up to eight people in four air-conditioned and en-suite cabins; and offers a lounge/dining room and sun deck.

The 16m La Reina caters for up to eight people in four air-conditioned and en-suite cabins, and offers a lounge/dining room and sun deck.

The 32m Avalon 1 has six air-conditioned cabins, a lounge, custom bar, dining area and hot tub.

The 21m Halcon accommodates up to twelve people in five cabins. The Halcon is air-conditioned and benefits from a large TV/dining room and sun deck.

CABALLONES / LA REINA / HALCON / AVALON 1 Liveaboards from

£1970 – shared double room – low season - £2350 – shared double room – high season – La Reina/Halcon

£1970 – shared double room – low season - £2310 – shared double room – high season – Caballones

£2565 – shared double room – low season - £2950 – shared double room – high season – Avalon 1*

- Single rates available on request -

Price includes: 6 nights full board accommodation on the liveaboards Caballones /Halcon/ Avalon 1, 5 nights Havana - Hotel Ambos Mundos b&b, 12 dives, Road transfers Havana – Jucaro rtn and boat transfers Jucaro – Tortuga rtn. International flights. Diving licence for Los Jardines National Park.

Not including: Tourist card £15.

Low Season – 02/06 to 26/10/12. Xmas rates on request. *standard cabin

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9. CAYO COCO

The reef at Cayo Coco is approximately thirty-two kilometres long, and is known for its luxuriant coral mounds, and variety of gorgonians and sponges. Groupers are abundant in Cayo Coco’s waters, including those of the black, tiger and Nassau variety, as well as various snappers and angel fish. It is also possible to see southern stingrays and eagle rays.

ACCOMMODATION – The Tryp Cayo Coco Hotel/Club

The Tryp Cayo Coco Hotel/Club is a five star resort. Facilities include 965 rooms with terrace, 11 restaurants - four of which are specialist, 4 grills, 3 buffet restaurants and 3 swimming pools. This Hotel also benefits from a sauna and fitness centre, as well as a children’s club.

CAYO COCO

10 nights from:

£1355 – twin room

£1505 – single room

Price includes: 6 nights all-inclusive accommodation at the Tryp Cayo Coco Hotel/Club, 10 dives, 3 nights Havana – Hotel Ambos Mundos, International flights and domestic flights - Havana – Cayo Coco rtn, and transfers Cayo Coco airport – Tryp Cayo Coco rtn.

Not including: Tourist card £15.

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10. SANTA LUCIA

Santa Lucia provides the diver with attractive and lively reefs, and wrecks - in particular the Motera – a Spanish merchant ship sunk in 1896, around whose stern it is possible to see bull sharks.

ACCOMMODATION – Brisas Santa Lucia – Just a few steps from Santa Lucia Beach, the Brisas Santa Lucia Hotel has 412 rooms, with air-conditioning, telephone and colour TV. Other facilities include three restaurants, a variety of bars, two swimming pools – one for children, the other for adults, and two gift shops.

SANTA LUCIA/HAVANA

13 nights from

£1415 - shared double room

£1635 – single room

Price includes: 11 nights all inclusive accommodation at the Brisas Santa Lucia Hotel, 2 nights - Havana - Hotel Ambos Mundos b and b, 10 dives, return international flights on Cubana, domestic flight (Camaguey – Havana) and transfers – Holguin Airport – Brisas Santa Lucia – Camaguey Airport.

Not including: Tourist card £15

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11. GUARDALAVACA Photo by M Keife

The warm weather and clear visibility at depths of 20 metres make this an ideal region for a scuba diving holiday. Fifty species of coral, molluscs, sponges, crustaceans and a variety of fish including barracuda, wrasse, swordfish, and Spanish mackerel inhabit the dive sites.

ACCOMMODATION

The area offers a range of modern and comfortable hotels and bungalows. All offer bars, restaurants, swimming pools, shops, transportation, medical and sporting facilities.

GUARDALAVACA/HAVANA

6 nights from

£985 - shared double room

£1070 - single room

Price includes: 5 nights all-inclusive accommodation at the Club Amigo Atlantico Hotel, 1 night Hotel Ambos Mundos b/b (Havana), 8 dives, international (rtn) and domestic (Holguin to Havana) flights on Cubana airlines, and transfers – Holguin Airport to the Atlantico Hotel rtn.

Not including: Tourist card £15

Extra nights available

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12. SANTIAGO de CUBA

Santiago de Cuba’s waters are known for their caves, channels and tall buttes. Several wrecks are accessible in this region, including the famous El Colon, an armoured cruiser sunk during the Spanish-American War of 1898. The marine life in this region includes Angel fish, groupers, damselfish and jacks.

ACCOMMODATION – (West of Santiago) – Brisas Sierra Mar/Los Galeones – The Sierra Mar Hotel has 200 rooms, all with satellite TV, telephone and radio, as well as two restaurants, a lobby bar, aqua bar and beach bar, pool and gym. Sporting activities provided include windsurfing, kayaking and tennis.

Los Galeones hotel offers 32 standard rooms and two tropical suites, as well as sea and mountain views and a pool.

SANTIAGO/HAVANA

6 nights from

£1065 - shared double room

£1210 – single room

Sierra Mar-

Price includes: 5 nights all inclusive accommodation at the Sierra Mar Hotel or Los Galeones Hotel, 1 night Hotel Ambos Mundos b and b (Havana), 8 dives, international (rtn) and domestic (Santiago to Havana) flights on Cubana, and transfers Holguin Airport – Hotel – Santiago Airport.

Not including: Tourist card £15

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We can tailor make holidays to suit the needs of individuals and groups.

Group rates are available to all destinations.

All prices listed are per person.

Dive courses available

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Holidays in Cuba can be combined with holidays in

Cozumel – Mexico

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PRICES QUOTED INCLUSIVE OF FLIGHTS (UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE) ARE BASED ON USING VIRGIN ATLANTIC - ECONOMY ‘X’ CLASS.

Flights on Air France from various UK airports, Cubana and Iberia Airlines are also available