Dive Review of International Diving Centers; Marlin Dive Center/Hotel Colony; Diving Center at Mari in
Cuba/Isla de Juventud & Maria la Go

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International Diving Centers; Marlin Dive Center/Hotel Colony; Diving Center at Mari: "Terrific Diving in Cuba", Feb, 2015, by Jacob Rosenstein, CA, US ( Contributor 14 reports with 7 Helpful votes). Report 8246 has 1 Helpful vote.
No photos available at this time
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Accommodations		Food
Service and Attitude		Environmental Sensitivity
Dive Operation		Shore Diving	N/A
Snorkeling	N/A
Overall Rating
Value for $$
Beginners
Advanced
Comments	Diving was terrific on Isla de Juventud. It's a long boat ride to get to the dive sites. Lots of tropical fish and healthy reefs. The highlight was the "Blue Cave", a steep tunnel that ends in 124 feet. Most dives are wall dives, with spectacular views of coral and sponge. Our Dive Master, Henry, graciously shared the marine life, showing us lots of fish and invertebrates. Hotel Colony is basic accommodation. The food is plain and boring. We stocked up on fresh fruit and vegetables from the Nueva Gerona farmers market. We booked 4 days diving, 2 dives per day, but were not allowed to dive on our first day due to windy conditions. We took an island tour instead and, hence the trip to the farmers market, as well as the old prison, crocodile farm, and black sand beach. I also dove at the International Dive Center at Maria la Gorda. The accommodations were much better, and so was the food. The diving was very good. I saw a Giant Grouper and Sting Rays on the first dive, "El Labyrinto". The dive sites are short boat rides, and return to the dive center afterwords. Dive sites are varied, there are some wall dives with swim thrus, like "Yemaya". The reefs are healthy, with a variety of sponges in large colonies. Lots of fish, one turtle, no sharks. You can get here by taxi from Havana, so no need to hassle with the domestic airline Aero Caribbean. The dive center has a good selection of rental dive gear, and there are up to 3 dives per day.
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	251-500 dives
Where else diving	Caribbean, Costa Rica, Hawaii, Fiji, Indonesia, Palau, Red Sea, California Channel Islands
Closest Airport	Nueva Gerona in Isla de Juventud	Getting There	Aero Caribbean turbo prop takes you to Isla de Juventud from Havana. We were stranded for 22 hours on the Island prior to return to Havana. Airline did not inform us of flight changes and delays. Getting to Cuba was via Mexico. Booked travel through Responsible Cuba Travel. They made dive resort reservations, and domestic flight and taxi transfers. Highly recommended.
Dive Conditions
Weather	sunny	Seas	calm, no currents
Water Temp	79-82°F / 26-28°C	Wetsuit Thickness	5
Water Visibility	25-60 Ft/ 8-18 M
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	no
Enforced diving restrictions	We had to stay with the Dive Master, with 5-6 divers in a group.
Liveaboard?	no	Nitrox Available?	no
What I Saw
Sharks	None	Mantas	None
Dolphins	None	Whale Sharks	None
Turtles	1 or 2	Whales	None
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals		Tropical Fish
Small Critters		Large Fish
Large Pelagics
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter	N/A	Boat Facilities	N/A
Overall rating for UWP's	N/A	Shore Facilities	N/A
UW Photo Comments	[None]

Report currently has 1 Helpful vote

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Dive Review of International Diving Centers; Marlin Dive Center/Hotel Colony; Diving Center at Mari in Cuba/Isla de Juventud & Maria la Go

International Diving Centers; Marlin Dive Center/Hotel Colony; Diving Center at Mari: "Terrific Diving in Cuba", Feb, 2015,

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Overall Rating

Reporter and Travel

Dive Conditions

Dive Policy

What I Saw

Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Dive Review of International Diving Centers; Marlin Dive Center/Hotel Colony; Diving Center at Mari in
Cuba/Isla de Juventud & Maria la Go