Plongée à Jardines de la Reina — Cuba

Jardines de la Reina is one of the Caribbean's last great marine wilderness areas, protected as a no-take zone since 1996. Dozens of Caribbean reef sharks circle at every site, goliath groupers guard the walls, and the unique opportunity to snorkel with American saltwater crocodiles is nowhere else on Earth. Only one operator has access.

Score
70.4
Visibilité
20–40m
Température
25–29°C
Meilleurs mois
November, December, January
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World Class
Beginner Friendly
Jardines de la Reina
CubaCentral America & Caribbean
70.4

SCORE

21.0000°N

-79.0000°E

Jardines de la Reina is one of the Caribbean's last great marine wilderness areas, protected as a no-take zone since 1996. Dozens of Caribbean reef sharks circle at every site, goliath groupers guard the walls, and the unique opportunity to snorkel with American saltwater crocodiles is nowhere else on Earth. Only one operator has access.

Cuba's Gardens of the Queen

Visibility20–40 m
Temperature25–29°C
Max Depth35 m
Currentmild
2-Tank Dive$200
Best MonthsNovember, December, January, February
CertificationOpen WaterBeginner Friendly

Score Breakdown

Click any score to see a detailed breakdown

ML92.0CH88.0VIS82.0SV78.0TMP88.0DA65.0OP78.0TS30.0GT22.0VAL45.0CRD95.0SP82.0

Marine Life

92.0

Species diversity, megafauna encounters, reef fish abundance, macro life, and endemic species.

Species Diversity
88
Megafauna Encounters
95
Reef Fish Abundance
92
Macro Life
68
Endemic Species
72
Marine Life Diversity
92.0
Coral & Reef Health
88.0
Visibility & Conditions
82.0
Dive Site Variety
78.0
Water Temperature
88.0
Depth & Access
65.0
Operator Quality
78.0
Topside Experience
30.0
Getting There
22.0
Value & Cost
45.0
Crowding
95.0
Social Proof
82.0

Traveling with Non-Divers?

This destination is primarily accessed by liveaboard — not ideal for non-diving partners. Consider planning separate shore-based activities before or after your liveaboard trip.

Activities for Non-Divers

floating hotelfly fishing for tarpon and bonefishkayaking mangrove channelscrocodile watching

Nearby Cultural Sites

  • Untouched mangrove cays

Non-Diver Score

3/10

Dedicated dive destination — not ideal for non-divers.

Family FriendlyNot recommended
Restaurants & Nightlifenone

Safety & Emergency

Dive Insurance

DAN recommends dive insurance for all divers.

Learn more at DAN.org
Hyperbaric Chamber200 km — Camagüey Hospital Chamber
Nearest Hospital150 km

Very remote; 5-hour boat ride to mainland then road to Camagüey; only Avalon fleet has access

Skill LevelBeginner Friendly
Current Strengthmild

Top Operators

Avalon Cuban Diving Centers

PADI

4.8
140 reviewsNITROX