Caribbean · Cuba
Jardines de la Reina
Why dive here
- Documented wildlife: Caribbean Reef Shark, Silky Shark
- 2 documented dive sites
- Liveaboard required
Wildlife
Dive sites
Black Coral I & II
25–30m
A reef sloping from ~25m to a sandy bottom at 30m, with sandy channels running to a drop-off, named for its black coral colonies. The reserve's most reliable shark encounter: a resident population of 30+ Caribbean reef sharks that approach divers closely at the drop-off, plus stingrays on the sand. Liveaboard-only.
Farallón
15–30m
A coral-mountain formation with four parallel tunnels through its top (~30m long, 3m wide, 10m deep) at Jardines de la Reina. One of the reserve's best-known dives — silky sharks and Caribbean reef sharks patrol the mount, alongside goliath grouper reported up to ~180kg/400lbs. Liveaboard-only, reached via Avalon's exclusive concession.
When to go
A remote, strictly protected archipelago reserve reachable only by liveaboard (a road transfer to Júcaro followed by a boat crossing); decades of protection under a single exclusive dive concession (Avalon Cuban Diving Centers) have sustained an exceptionally strong shark population. The reserve is also known for shallow-water encounters with habituated American crocodiles — a real, documented experience, but a snorkel/surface one, not a scuba dive, so it is not represented as a dive site here.
Best months overall
Conditions
Experience & eligibility
Accessible from intermediate level
A certification or experience level is a floor, not an exact match — a more experienced diver can always access an easier site.
Trip cost
- Diving/liveaboard
- $3,275–$4,000
- Mandatory park fee
- $300
- Flights
- Unknown
- Accommodation
- Included in liveaboard
Diving, mandatory fees, and accommodation (included in the liveaboard) — only flights aren't included.
Source price: $3,875
? Flights
Destination info from DiveFinder editorial research