Nautical
I invite you to discover the natural beauty of the Archipelago de los Colorados and the Guanahacabibes Peninsula. This maritime route will be the occasion to choose the most exceptional moments of your trip.
Cayo Levisa
Just six nautical miles from the mainland, on the northwest coast of the land of Pinar del Río, Cayo Levisa has a natural beauty that enchants those who visit it. It is located forty-five kilometers from Viñales and a three-hour drive from the city of Havana. This earthly paradise is accessed only by sea, traveling from Palma Rubia, on a ferry, for 35 minutes.
The hotel, which has the same name as the islet, is perfect for lovers of nature and water sports, especially contemplative diving and snorkeling. The site has International Certification: SSI (Scuba School International). Its three-kilometer beach, where good weather reigns most of the year, has very white sands and invites those who want to relax and unwind.
The three most important marine ecosystems in the tropics are represented in the waters bordering Cayo Levisa: coral reefs, mangroves and grasslands. The bottoms have abysmal depths, with walls between nine and forty meters deep, where there are diving areas, internationally recognized, it is a world to observe various types of coral, spelunks, sand waterfalls, wrecks of wrecks from the fifteenth centuries to today. These reefs are known to host more than 100 species of fish, among which are large groupers, snappers, and sharks; more than 47 species of stony corals of the 59 reported for Cuba, species of high commercial and aesthetic value such as spiny lobster (pannulirus argus) and black coral, charismatic and threatened species such as sea turtles, species of mollusks such as cobo, the quincontes and newts and an abundant population of sponges and gorgonians.
The invitation to diving will allow you to receive introductory courses and practice it in a total of twenty-three sites on the insular platform between Cayo Arenas and Cayo Mégano de Casigüas, also known as Cayo Paraíso. If you do not want to immerse yourself in the depths, snorkeling in the coral reef, or practicing water sports will give you an unparalleled stay. Address: Los Colorados Archipelago, Palma Rubia, La Palma, Pinar del Río, Tel. (53) 48 75 6501/06, Email: reservas@cayolevisa.tur.cu
Cayo Jutías
Three hours and 20 minutes from Havana, you arrive at Cayo Jutías, with four and a half kilometers of white sand beach. Its warm and crystalline waters invite you to swim and practice water sports, so hundreds of visitors travel to admire marine nature, practice diving, snorkeling, catamaran and walk around the island.
Species of the most diverse colors, types and sizes coexist there, from the dogfish (lachnolaimus maximus), the surgeons (acanthurus coeruleus), and the black cachamas (pomacanthus caru). The most abundant corals are: the ear (acropora palmata), fire (millapora complanata), digital (porites porites) and brain (colpophyllia natans).
Many prefer to contemplate the marine environment from Cayo Mégano, four nautical miles from Cayo Jutías, in a 6-hour walk, with the exclusivity of a virgin key with unique beaches, coral reef, endemic flora and fauna.
The excursion is a proposal to an almost virgin island, an adventure between surprising coral barriers that is equal to living a safari excursion, in which if you wish, you can practice deep sea and deep sea fishing, with different styles, using up to three Fishing lines with capture of different species such as Bonitos, Albácoras, Dorados and other pelagic, where you can also taste seafood and Creole cuisine. Address: Minas de Matahambre, Santa Lucía, Pinar del Río, Tel: (53) 48 64 8317.
Maria la Gorda
On this site you will find the ideal pretext for a visit. Its International Center hosts every year the Imasub Event, of underwater photography, and it is precisely because of the attractions of marine flora and fauna that inspire lovers of this art. Located in the Gunahacabibes Peninsula, Biosphere Reserve, in Cabo Corrientes, which together with the Veral have the status of Natural Reserves, it shows a high biodiversity, represented by the main marine and coastal habitats and its good environmental status.
Its crystal clear waters and its impressive seabed with reefs and coral reefs make María la Gorda one of the best spots for practicing nautical activities. Discovering these exotic seabeds, with 50 diving spots, in one of the best diving areas in Cuba, will make you feel like a true diver. The Black Coral Valley, considered the largest black coral surface and the Hall of Mary, are places to appreciate sea lilies and colorful corals. Other options such as snorkeling, boat trips and the enjoyment of the sunset after a seafood dish or an authentic Cuban meal will make you return, every year, for a vacation of pleasure.
Marina Gaviota Cabo de San Antonio
In this region is located the Marina Gaviota Cabo de San Antonio, which has 4 berths and a draft of 2.4 meters. It has drinking water service, electricity at the dock, VHF channel 16 telephone marine communication service and solid waste dumping service, which consists of an incinerator that allows the waste coming from the boats to be cremated.
Within the facilities they have a ship chandler store, snack bar, supply point for regular diesel fuel and special gasoline for boats and automobiles, port authorities service with entry and exit clearance, visa sales and travel insurance and medical services.
Those who visit the Marina are amazed by the coral origin and cliff in some sections, only interrupted by small beaches and sandy coves, excellent places for the nesting of chelonians, such as the loggerhead (caretta caretta l.), The green turtle (chelonia mydas l.) and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata l.). Experts consider that 4 of the 7 species of sea turtles that inhabit the planet have survived in these properties. It is one of the best-preserved coral reef ecosystems in Cuba and one of the most diverse in the Caribbean. Every year the “run” of thousands of red land crabs (geocarcinus lateralis (freminville), when they go to the sea to spawn, impacts the visitors.
In this area belonging to the Guanahacabibes Peninsula, the presence of the exotic species of lionfish (pterois volitans) in coral reef ecosystems has been confirmed. There are also 201 species of fish, 20 species of anemones, 27 of gorgonians, 39 of sponges and 42 species of corals, 75 species of crustaceans and 773 species of marine mollusks, the vast majority with planctotrophic larval development, which makes it larval emission center towards the Gulf of Mexico and the keys and continental coasts of North America, increasing its value as a protected area.
As an exclusive detail, Marina Gaviota Cabo de San Antonio has the Cabo de San Antonio Villa for the accommodation of divers and their companions; in addition to the accommodation capacities and facilities offered by the María La Gorda International Diving Center, just 70 km from there.