 Travel to Cuba with A. Nash Travel Inc.
Diving at Isle of Youth (La Isla de Pinos)Legend has it that this was the "Treasure Island" in the Robert Louis Stevenson novel. The island, with its beautiful remote beaches and spectacular ocean depths, is the most famous dive site in Cuba, and one of the best in the world. Diving in the region has been established since the 1970's, and the site is extremely well equipped and organized for the sport. There is a range of 11 comfortable boats and well maintained diving equipment for hire. 2 Bauer compressors and a hyperbaric chamber complete with the services of a diving doctor are also located on site. There are 26 full gear scuba instructors CMAS and ACUC. Diving courses and night diving excursions are available. The whole area has been declared a marine preserve so diving is only permitted with an official guide. From the marina it is possible to reach fifty-six sites, all of which are buoyed. and are within an area of three naughtical miles That's enough to keep even the most experienced diver's excitement level high. The quality of this dive area was recognized when it hosted the World-wide Underwater Photographic Competition in 1992. The area contains many shipwrecks, a great variety of fauna and over 1500 different species of fish. They are seen in large numbers and include small tropicals, tarpon, barracuda, groupers, snooks, grunts, angelfish and turtles. The Isle of Youth is famed for its tunnels, deep canals, and underwater valleys. Over 40 varieties of coral can be seen in this area, including elkhorn, staghorn, and black coral. One famous coral feature is the Catedral del Caribe (Caribbean Cathedral), reputedly the tallest column of coral in the world. The site is of particular interest as it contains the sunken remains of a great sea battle between the treasure laden pirate ships of Thomas Baskerville and the Spanish fleet. This area is protected from the Gulf stream and waves, because the Isle of Youth's peninsula inclines to the northwest and prevailing winds are from east-southeast to northeast. The water in this area, therefore, is generally calm. In summer the water temperature is around 28 degrees centigrade (82 degrees farenheit), dropping in winter to approximately 24 degrees centigrade (75 degrees farenheit). Accommodation on the Isle of Youth is at the island's number one hotel, the Hotel Colony. Originally built as a Hilton Hotel in the 1950's and recently refurbished, it has 76 air conditioned rooms with TV and private bathrooms, some individual cabins, two restaurants, bar, discount and a shop that, among other things, sells diving equipment. The hotel has a large outside swimming pool and is located close to a white sandy beach. The site is famous for its spectacular sunsets. Day 1: Assistance upon arrival at the airport. Bus transfer to hotel. Overnight accommodation at Hotel Sevilla with breakfast included. Day 2: Guided sightseeing tour of Havana visiting the most outstanding places, Old Havana, plazas, street markets, Revolution Square, Rum Factory and others. Lunch in a typical Cuban food restaurant in Old Havana. In the afternoon transfer to the airport to take the internal flight to the Isle of Youth. Once there, a short 20 minute drive will take you to your accomodation for the next four days, the Colony Hotel. All meals included. Day 3-6: Scuba dive from the Colony. 8 dives per person Day 7: Internal flight from the Isle of Youth to Havana. Transfer to your accommodation at Hotel Sevilla. Breakfast included. Day 8: Free time to explore the city Day 9: Transfer for Departure to Airport at prescribed flight time Prices will be made available upon request.
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