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Scuba
Diving Pinar del Rio Province ( Maria La Gorda)
Maria
La Gorda diving zone, in the Ensenada de Corrientes, is one
of the most protected areas in Cuba with an amazing coral
reef development, located at a very short distance from the
coast. From 5 meters (16 feet) you can see big and insolated
patches of coral with an abundant sessile fauna, specially
gorgonians and sea fans, more than 20 species of coral and
lots of small and medium size fish. Lobsters, morays and crabs
can be frequently seen in the boles of the bottom.
From 10 meters (33 feet) deep these patches are joined together
and increasingly higher, thus forming a chain of tall coral
hillocks cut by channels and passages, with walls falling
sharply and deeply. This wall shows attractive structures
such as holes, tunnels and vertical caves, where you can see
beautiful black coral colonies, big tubular branch or cup
shape sponges and 2 meters (6.5 feet) high gorgonians. Among
the fish that move along the wall we can mention barracudas,
jacks, dogsnappers, snappers and schoolmasters. You can also
see eagle rays and stingrays.
Sometimes
and with a little bit of luck some mantas and whale shark
can be observed. This Diving Center has 50 sites of high level
diving, some are still not named, all of them are less than
1 hour cruise, some at even 5 minutes away. Generally, the
are all much more alike, many are suitable for wall diving,
but each one has its particular charm. We suggest to you El
Cabezon de Ludo, El Salon de Maria, El Almirante y Yemaya,
and the second diving of the day Acuario, El Ancla de Francois
and El Jardin de la Gorgonia. |
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Book
your
scuba diving trip
at
www.casa-cuba.com
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Since
the diving site is very near, you can do the first dive in
the morning, at about 09:00 get back to the Villa, and then
second dive in the afternoon, at about `15:00. As a protection
measure, the Diving Center makes sure that divings cannot
go deeper then 30 meters (98 feet) and not more than 40 minutes
dive.
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Best
Diving Sites
Paraiso
Perdido Dept
18 - 30 meters
The
coral and fish in this area is delightful. Huge lettuce, plate and
flower corals and a abundance of sea fans, whips and rods surrounded
by large purple baskets and yellow tubular sponges are a common
sight. The density of sponges and fans increases as you move closer
to the wall, which begins at a depth of 30 meters and reveals a
great deal of marine life. The wall has many interesting holes and
crevices offering shelter to a variety of fish and invertebrates.
Ascending
along the wall to the submarine terrace, you will find entry to
shallower regions through sandy channels. It is common to see schools
of blue chromis as well as angelfish, groupers, snappers and surgeons.
Ancla
del Pirata Dept 15 meters
This dive site ideal for the novice diver is located thirty minutes
from the dive center. Its name translates as "pirate's anchor"
named after a giant two ton, eighteen century anchor found in these
The
anchor rests against coral promontories and is covered with crustaceans
and corals. Sponges and gorgonians are common in this region and
you are likely to see snappers, bass, wrasse, jacks, angel and squirrel
fish.
Las
Tetas de Maria Dept 24 meters
Its name (Maria's breasts) comes from the rock formations that jut
out to sea from the land. The dive site is located just in line
with those rocks. Sandy channels weave their way around large size
coral covered rock formations and are the most prominent feature
of this dive site.
Most
variety of corals can be found here: flower, leaf, brain and lettuce.
Soft corals are also plentiful. Snappers, angelfish, jacks and groupers
abound in this area.
El
Salon de Maria Dept 20 meters
El Salon, or "the hall" is a cave characterized by its
sponges and coral formations. It is located 10 minute away by boat
from Maria La Gorda.
You
may enter it from any of three entrances and be amazed by its bright
purple, pink, blue and green decoration.
The
cave is home to a large number of tropical fish as well as many
corals and sponges.
El
Almirante Dept 27 meters
At 90ft you reach the wall covered with huge sponges and gorgonians.
Visibility at this site is usually excellent and tarpon, angel fish,
grunts and grouper are popular in this area. At 100 ft you'll find
blooms of black coral. This wall has a beautiful bright blue backdrop
and whale sharks frequently can be seen swimming by.
Scuba
Diving Centers
Diving
Center - María La Gorda
Marinas Puertosol
Address: La Bajada, península de Guanahacabibes,
Pinar del Río, Cuba
Phone: (53 82) 77-1306 / 7-8131
Location: 19°59’ N, 75°52’ W |
Diving
Center - Diving World
Cayo
Levisa, La Palma, Pinar del Río, Cuba
Phone: (53 226) 2-6471 - 73 |
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