Cuba Recomendations

[DiverChris]

WooHoo!!!

We're off to Cuba at the start of November.

Staying at the Brisas, Guardalavaca.

Can anyone recomend a good dive centre?

[ScubaSue]

Originally Posted by DiverChris

WooHoo!!!

We're off to Cuba at the start of November.

Staying at the Brisas, Guardalavaca.

Can anyone recomend a good dive centre?

I (eventually) dived with Eagle Ray - HOWEVER - go with the recommendation of and book through your holiday rep (I decided to book independently and got into a few problems - which, had I booked via him - and gone to Eagle Ray in the first place would have made life a lot easier - PM me for more details )

You will love Cuba - the beaches are amazing - and get yourself off to Havana too on the two day trip - awesome! The diving on the south of the island - Guardalavaca, has few wrecks, but the reefs and fishies are lovely (dont expect the 'spectacular' of the Red Sea though)

Drink plenty of water (to offset the humidity, and copious rum) and take 'salts' with you too!

Which holiday company have you booked through??

Sue

[DiverChris]

I'm not exactly sure which tour company, it was booked by a mate.

I think there's a dive center out our hotel so we may use them.

We have aslo booked 3 nights in Havana.

29 days to go...

[ScubaSue]

Check carefully with them what diving they will do, and particularly what times with you and confirm the prices with them. (Cuban time is very like any Med country time - very 'flexible')

Our hotel only did 'try dives', I had to be shipped out to another hotel for mine.

[ScubaSue]

Originally Posted by ScubaSue

Check carefully with them what diving they will do, and particularly what times, with you and confirm the prices with them. (Cuban time is very like any Med country time - very 'flexible')

Oops, that makes them sound very untrustworthy - it's not that, they are just very disorganised that's all.

BTW - the Cubans will tell you there is no crime there (well that's what the government machine tells them), however be 'aware' in Havana. It's not a gun toting crime capital by any means - but just watch your wallets and camera's/bags - don't leave them at the side of your chair or on the tables in full view. It's nothing to worry about, but just show a little caution, as you would anywhere else in the world.

Don't expect there to be rinse tanks and showers at the Dive Centre - well they will be there, but not connected to water supplies. The water (which is drinkable) is mainly diverted to the hotels and resorts - there has been a shortage of water this year, the natives get to see very little of it.

How long did you say 29 days??

[daveyb]

I've been to your hotel - the dive operator is called Eagle Ray and is at the end of the beach on the right handside (approx 50 metres from the pool). I was there in 2003.

[ScubaSue]

Originally Posted by daveyb

I've been to your hotel - the dive operator is called Eagle Ray and is at the end of the beach on the right handside (approx 50 metres from the pool). I was there in 2003.

There you go then - well in that case, no the showers aren't connected (and there is no water to the loo either - it's a bucket of seawater job I'm afraid.

Eagle Ray services many nationalities of divers - I dived with Germans and Dutch mainly and a few Brits (although there was a couple of Italians too - but atypical divers thankfully).

They do two dives a day - 9.30 and 11.30 (ish ) - the first to a max 30m and the second shallower - 15-18m-ish, a third can be negotiated (but I never bothered) - you can also book extras such as night dives and the wreck of the Christobel Colon (Christopher Columbus - which I wish I'd done - but cost extra).

I've got the prices somewhere - PM me if you want details.

Say hello to Dora (she speaks quite good English but with a very strong accent) and Alex (he speaks limited English but can get by on a briefing - he's willing to learn - have fun with him, he's a sweetie) for me


Any more questions, Chris - just ask

PM me your email address and I'll send you a piccie of the beaches!!