Hotel Maria la Gorda is the best Scuba Diving and Snorkeling spot in Cuba - Peninsula de Guanahacabibes accommodation from € 37 / day
Isolated and serene, Maria La Gorda "Fat Mary" is famed for its clear seabed, which many consider to be one of the richest in the Caribbean. Full of marine species and coral reefs of breathtaking beauty, ideal place to practice diving & ecotourism.
Maria la Gorda is a lovely beach and the resort on the end of Cuba.
Situated at the Currents Cape "Cabo Corrientes", which is formed by the long, curving Peninsula de Guanahacabibes.
Also known as International Diving Center or Haven for Bird Watchers, is loceted at the west end of the province Pinar del Rio, about 189 miles / 300 km west from Havana.
The beach is named from the Venezuelan aboriginal beauty, abandoned here by pirates. Maria allegedly gained quite a reputation for her charms. She's long gone, but the Maria la Gorda’s sunsets are the best in Cuba. The area is filled with legends of pirates that are borne out by the anchors, old cannon and other treasures that lie on the bottom of sea near peaceful Corrientes Cove.
Cuba's westernmost tip, the Guanahacabibes Peninsula, holds a true natural treasure characterized by exuberant vegetation, fauna and flora.
The territory also treasures the imprint of Cuba's first inhabitants, who named the region Guanahacabibes. One of the last refuges of aboriginal communities fleeing from the Spanish conquistadors, who were known as Guanahatabeyes. Hotel Maria la Gorda
Eco Tourism enthusiasts can enjoy a wide range of options, from trails such as: "Las Perlas Cave", "Forest Facing the Sea", "La Majagua" and "Hoyo del Palmar".
Maria la Gorda at the Peninsula de Guanahacabibes has a remarkable avifauna a haven for bird watchers. The area has a remarkable avifauna ranging from Bee Hummingbird, the world's smallest bird, to several very rare species including some species which are virtually endemic to the island of Cuba.
UNESCO declared the region a World Biosphere Reserve. The Guanahacabibes National Park is the Cuba's largest natural reserve. Over 50,000 hectares National Park is inhabited by 170 species of birds. Cabo de San AntonioZapata Wetland - Bay of Pigs
Wonderfully, it is possible to see almost all the birds in as little as a week by visiting Peninsula de Guanahacabibes, at the end of the Pinar del Rio province.
The best birds watching spots are: • Currents Cape "Cabo Corrientes" • La Bajada • el Bosque • Hoyo del Palmar • Herbazal de Cienaga.
Hotel Maria La Gorda, offer 55 cabins, which are equipped with all amenities demanded by modern tourism, so that they can enjoy their leisure time. Same of the cabins are located right on the beach, with magnificent ocean view.
Hotel Facilities: two restaurants and bar, laundry, dive shop and snorkeling, cars and bikes rental. Hotel Reviews
If you want to get away from city noises this is a good choice. The hotel caters primarily to divers, although it's also a good base for naturalists looking to explore the flora and fauna of the Guanahacabibes Peninsula, and the beach lovers.
International Scuba Diving Center - Maria la Gorda in Cuba is the best among the Caribbean. Cuba Diving Centers
Maria la Gorda offer 39 diving sites of high level diving, some are still not named, all of them are less than hour cruise, some at even a few minutes away.
The International Scuba Diving Center, has very friendly and experience divers’ team. They provide professional service for experience and inexperience divers, included Open Water Diver course. Dive cost: CUC$ 35 + $ 5-10 diving equipment rental.
For divers Cuba has a seductive underwater history, that reaches every corner of the Island, complemented by naval battles and pirate legends.
Four species of marine turtles have survived in the Guanahacabibes Peninsula, Maria La Gorda coral reefs are in a perfect state. Snorkeling in Cuba
Here, you can see many species of coral, including the largest colony of Black Coral in Cuban waters; gardens of gorgonians; sponges; a large wall studded with grottoes; and Barracudas, Dog Snapper, Schoolmasters and other kind of Snappers, Marine Turtles.
Maria la Gorda offer also fantastic snorkeling, incredibly there are colorful fishes right up to the water edge.
Crab migration is an unusual occurrence and unforgettable spectacle, accrued every year in the Guanahacabibes National Park. Crabs to make their long and difficult journey to the sea, must protect themselves from dehydration in the Caribbean heat, as well as traffic while crossing roads.
Million years ago, crabs lived in the sea. Now days millions of crabs move to the shore every spring. They release the eggs into the sea,
the eggs released by the females hatch immediately on contact with the sea water and clouds of young larvae swirl near the shore, before being washed out to sea by waves and tides.
Millions of the larvae are eaten by fish, after few days the baby crabs begin their march inland, into the woods. We should make an effort to protect these crabs, by closing roads or create road crossing tunnels. Crab Migration
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The most popular diving sites:
Gorgonian Garden "Jardin de las Gorgonias" depth : 15 meters 50 feet.
A shallow garden with an abundance of gorgonians sponges and corals. Yemaya, depth :12 meters 100 feet.
In the Santeria religion "Yemaya" is the Goddess of the sea. Tunnels purple vase sponges with colorful shrimps. Maria's Lounge "Salon de Maria" depth : 20 meters 60 feet.
The reef formed by a hole in the rock, coral or sponge growth around the cave. Vanesa's Patio "El Patio de Vanesa" depth : 15 meters 50 feet.
Couple of really big gouges in the reef. Pirate's Anchor "El Ancla del Pirata" depth : 18 meters 60 feet.
Wall with wide sandy channels, barracudas, nice corals and spectacular gorgonians. Enchant "Encanto" depth :10 meters 100 feet.
A wall with lots of tunnels and caves. Aquarium "El Acuario" depth : 6 meters 22 feet.
Relaxing dive patchy reef, shallow depth , as swimming inside a very large fish aquarium. Lost Paradise "El Paraiso Perdido" depth : 30 meters 100 feet.
Many big fishes, a wall dive.
Maria la Gorda diving sites:
El Bajo de Yemaya depth 5 meters
Acuarium depth 6 meters
Bajo Cuevas de Pedro depth 6 meters
Bajo Mobby Dick depth 6 meters
Jardin de las Gorgoneas depth 6-7 meters
El Patio de Vanesa depth 6-7 meters
Jardin si Nombre depth 6-8 meters
El Ancla del Masaya depth 7 meters
Bajo de la Cadena Misteriosa depth 7 meters
El Laberinto depth 9 meters
El Encanto I depth 9-10 meters
El Encanto II depth 9-10 meters
El Ancla de Francois depth 9-10 meters
Las Cuevas Pipo depth 10-11 meters
Las Tetas de Maria depth 10-11 meters
El Milagro depth 10-12 meters
El Valle del Coral depth 10-12 meters
El Balcon del Caribe depth 10-12 meters
Yemaya depth 10-12 meters
El Faraon depth 10-12 meters
Uvero Quemado depth 10-12 meters
Cuevas de Pedro depth 11-13 meters
Moby Dick depth 11-13 meters
Cabezo de Ludovick depth 11-13 meters
La Cadena Misteriosa depth 11-13 meters
Entre Dos Agues depth 11-13 meters
Paraiso Perdido depth 12-14 meters
Cabeso de Marcel depth 13-14 meters
El Almirante depth 14-17 meters
Salon de Maria depth 18-22 meters
Address: International Diving Center Maria la Gorda, Peninsula Guanahacabibes, Sandino, Pinar del Rio, Cuba.
Hotel Maria la Gorda is the best Scuba Diving and Snorkeling spot in Cuba - Peninsula de Guanahacabibes accommodation from € 37 / day 
Hotel Maria la Gorda
