Cuba with Blue Ocean Diving June 2021

THE SCUBA PLACE
WHERE TO DIVE : CARIBBEAN
CUBA


HAVANA
Havana offers a vibrant mix of cultures, history, and experiences. Its cobbled streets are alive with cafes, bars and the rhythmic sounds of the rumba. The city’s architecture is an eclectic mix of Baroque, Neo-classical and Art Deco styles, and the colonial buildings of ‘Old Havana’ have earned the city a UNESCO World Heritage Listing. Culturally Havana is a melting pot of influences from Europe, Africa and the Americas. Its unique ambiance and resilient character have lured writers, artists and even the occasional revolutionary. With a wealth of exciting attractions, there is so much to do and see. With tourism increasing in Cuba, now is the time to experience Havana, one of the world’s few unspoilt treasures.
We would suggest that the best way to see Havana is in your very own classic convertible car. A 1955 Chevy or Cadillac with a private guide and driver can take you around authentic Havana, stopping off for lunch, getting out to walk the streets where necessary, and really taking in the Cuban way of life.
[email protected] | 020 7644 8252 | www.comedivewithus.co.uk


JARDINES de la REINA
There is no other way to put this – Jardines de La Reina (The Queens Gardens) are the ULTIMATE shark diving destination there is! This marine reserve was established some 25 years ago by the University of Havana, and still acts to this day as a fully focused marine reserve and research environment. Jardines is a stretch of coral and mangrove islands that spans 75 miles in an east-west direction, located 60 miles off the southern coast of Cuba out towards the Cayman Islands. The whole habitat is an eco-system, and the mangroves and lagoons provide the prefect nursery for all sorts of marine life. Corals are abundant and healthy, visibility exceeds 30m/100ft daily, and the whole reserve is heavily protected. Only 750 divers per year are permitted to visit here, so this is an exclusive destination if there ever was one!
This International Marine Reserve is situated some 65 miles o the southern coast of Cuba, and is made up of a string of coral and mangrove islands that span for 70 miles in the Caribbean Sea. Only 700 divers from across the globe are permitted here each year – it is possibly the most exclusive destination there is!
Getting there is not the simplest of journeys, leaving Havana early on a Saturday morning for a cross country coach journey before arriving at the port of Jucaro and then boarding your live- aboard for the next week. But, it is well worth it! The trips run throughout the year from a Saturday to the following Friday, and offer comfortable accommodation on a fleet of 5 converted former working vessels and a permanently moored floating hotel. The service and catering are excellent, as the vessels are run under exclusive license by the Italian organisation Avalon, and the staff in Jardines are all marine wardens, most of them marine biologists, and the most professional divers, supporting visitors in whatever way they need – especially photographers!
[email protected] | 020 7644 8252 | www.comedivewithus.co.uk


As the channels through the islands are shallow, your liveaboards stay moored in the lagoons, and all diving and exploration is done from fast ski s that whisk through the mangroves at full speed – very James Bond, and spectacular particularly at sunset as the whole world is reflected on the mill pond like surface! The mangrove and coral islands form a barrier between the open sea and the mainland, and are the perfect shelter and environment for marine life. A natural nursery, juvenile fish thrive here, but large rays, salt water American Crocodiles and Bull sharks also make this their home. Diving with Nino, the ‘baby’ 3m long croc is against every natural instinct you may have, but it is a simply amazing experience!
In the lagoons and inner reefs, expect to find lemon Sharks, and be assured that the visibility is gin clear, as you dive the inside of the reefs as the tide is going out, and the outside as the tide is coming in through the channels. Taking a drift dive or snorkel on the tide is like a water slide at Wet n’ Wild! The outer side of the islands is where the real action takes place, and this is a daily offering too. Grey reef sharks, black tip and white tip reef sharks, the odd Great Hammerhead and Silk sharks in massive numbers are seen on every dive – expect to see 20 or more at a time! But it isn’t just about sharks – 300lb+ Goliath Grouper are common sightings, huge barracuda, tuna, tarpon, turtles and huge rays inhabit the reef edges, and conch fields stretch for further than the eye can see. The reefs to are spectacular, full to bursting with fish, soft corals, sponges and critters galore – this is a heavily policed marine reserve, and the protection is working! In fact, Anderson Cooper and Dr. David Guggenheim of CBS fame say that this is one of the very last true marine eco-systems there is on the planet, and who are we to argue?!
[email protected] | 020 7644 8252 | www.comedivewithus.co.uk


AVALON II
The MV Avalon II liveaboard of the Avalon fleet is the newest of the Jardines de la Reina vessels with 10 comfortable cabins, each with individually controlled air conditioning, ensuite bathrooms, and television.
The MV Avalon II comfortably accommodates 20 guests over 4 decks. The living, dining and bar area is a great place to relax, and where all of your meals will be served. For added relaxation there is a huge sun deck and seating area with a jacuzzi, making this the ideal place to unwind at the end of the day whilst enjoying the breathtaking views.
The dive deck aboard the MV Avalon II offers a lot of space for dive gear, as well as areas for underwater video and camera set-ups. The diving at the Jardines de la Reina, also known as the Gardens of the Queen, is spectacular and only accessible by liveaboard. Divers will see huge shivers of sharks, schools of tarpon, jacks and barracuda, along with caves, walls, and canyons in these untouched waters. The experienced and professional crew of the MV Avalon II liveaboard will take care of your needs during your stay.
[email protected] | 020 7644 8252 | www.comedivewithus.co.uk


JARDINES de la REINA GALLERY
© The Scuba Place by Nigel Wade and Carlos Suarez


ITINERARY
BLUE OCEAN DIVING
CUBA : HAVANA AND JARDINES DE LA REINA
11 night itinerary : Thursday 3 to Monday 14 June 2021
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:
• Return flights from London Gatwick direct to Havana on Virgin
• 2 nights in Havana at the Iberostar Parque Central
• Coach transfers
• 7 nights aboard Avalon II with 6 days diving and up to 4 dives daily
• 2 additional nights in Havana
• Airport transfers, tourist card and marine park fees included ________________________________________________________________________________ PRICE :
£4995 per person based on double occupancy
£500 non-refundable deposit per person to secure space
balance due 13 weeks before departure
please review all Booking Conditions here ________________________________________________________________________________ FLIGHT DETAILS : Flight schedule is for reference only.
Thursday 3 June 2021 : VS63
departing : London Gatwick at 10:15
arriving : Havana at 14:55 (GMT-5)
details : direct flights, economy seating, 23kg checked baggage plus 7kg hand baggage allowance
Monday 14 June 2021 : VS64
departing : Havana at 19:25 (GMT-5)
arriving : London Gatwick at 09:30 (next day) Tuesday 15 June 2021
details : direct flights, economy seating, 23kg checked baggage plus 7kg hand baggage allowance
________________________________________________________________________________
ACCOMMODATION DETAILS :
Iberostar Parque Central : Havana, Cuba
check in : Thursday 3 June 2021
check out : Saturday 5 June 2021 details : standard room, bed & breakfast
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ACCOMMODATION DETAILS :
Avalon II Liveaboard : Jardines de la Reina, Cuba
check in : Saturday 5 June 2021
check out : Saturday 12 June 2021
details : standard cabin, full board basis, wine and beer with meals
[email protected] | 020 7644 8252 | www.comedivewithus.co.uk


DIVING :
Avalon Diving Centres : Jardines de la Reina, Cuba
details : 6 days diving - up to 4 dives daily with night dives
________________________________________________________________________________
ACCOMMODATION DETAILS :
Iberostar Parque Central : Havana, Cuba
check in : Saturday 12 June 2021 check out : Monday 14 June 2021 details : standard room, bed & breakfast
________________________________________________________________________________
NOT INCLUDED :
airline upgrades : we can arrange for higher class seating and/or extra baggage, please contact us for up to date pricing
liveaboard extras : night dives, tips - a €100 gratuity per diver is suggested but any tip is left to your discretion ________________________________________________________________________________ BOOKING DETAILS :
To book this trip please contact Ryby at Blue Ocean Diving on 01622 212022 or by email [email protected]
Any change in pricing due to flight availability or other circumstances will be disclosed and discussed at time of booking.
Tickets and full travel documentation for group travel will be issued to all passengers 2 weeks prior to departure. All passengers will receive confirmation of their booking and receipt for deposit or any payment immediately after processing along with an ATOL certificate.
Passenger names as listed on passport, together with passport number and expiry date, date of birth and nationality is required for each passenger travelling before final documents can be distributed.
This brochure is intended for marketing purposes only. You will have been alerted to the conditions of your booking at the time of booking and as soon as we issue our confirmation invoice, a contract will exist between you and The Holiday Place Plc. Please check your confirmationinvoicecarefullyandcontactusimmediatelyifanydetailsarenotcorrect. The contract is made on the terms of our booking conditions, which are governed by English Law, and the jurisdiction of the English Courts.
Travel and Diving Insurance are mandatory.
[email protected] | 020 7644 8252 | www.comedivewithus.co.uk