Maria la Gorda Diving and Snorkeling -  Peninsula de Guanacahabibes Cuba

from € 45 / day

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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 Guanacahabibes. Also known as the International Diving Center, on the west end of province Pinar del Rio, around 190 miles 306 km west from Havana.

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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.

In 1987 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 172 species of birds. The bird-watching spots are: Currents Cape "Cabo Corrientes", La Bajada, el Bosque, Hoyo del Palmar and Herbazal de Cienaga.

Ecotourism enthusiasts can enjoy a wide range of options, from trails such as: "Las Perlas Cave", "Forest Facing the Sea" and "Guanahacabibes before Columbus", "La Majagua" and "Hoyo del Palmar".   Snorkeling in Cuba

 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.
 Facilities: two restaurants and bar, laundry, dive shop and snorkeling, cars and bikes rental.  Hotel informatio

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 Guanacahabibes Peninsula, and the beach lovers.

International Scuba Diving Center - Maria la Gorda in Cuba is the best among the Caribbean.  Scuba 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$ 30 + $ 5 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.

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.

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: 30 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: 30 meters 100 feet. A wall with lots of tunnels and caves. - Aquarium "El Acuario" depth: 8 meters 26 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. Address: Diving Center Maria la Gorda, Peninsula Guanahacabibes, Sandino, Pinar del Rio, Cuba.