Jardines Avalon III

Dive experience: The recommendation is that divers can join these Cuba liveaboard cruises with a minimum of 50 logged dives.

Cruise price per person includes: Cabin accommodation, pre-breakfast, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, coffee, juices, ice tea, drinking water, 6 other drink per day (includes beer, wine, soft drinks), 18 dives (incl. 1 night dive), experienced Spanish and English-speaking divemaster(s) (max. number of 6 divers per DM), tanks (incl. 15 liter, subject to availability), weights and weightbelts.

Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): Scuba equipment rental (incl. dive computer: US$ 267 full set per trip), port taxes (US$ 214) to be paid in advance, conservation fee (US$ 107) to be paid in advance. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival (EUR or USD cash only).

Optional extras: Nitrox fills for enriched air certified divers (US$ 107 per trip), torch (US$ 8 per night dive), additional onboard dives on request, dive insurance, private divemaster US$ 1,200 (subject to availability), onboard alcoholic and soft drinks (other than those included), return transfers from Camaguey or Santa Clara (US$ 128), return transfers from selected hotels in Havana to and from the boat (US$ 321), medical insurance which includes COVID-19 coverage (USD 107) to be paid in advance. Upgrades (to pay in advance): Full Suite (with balcony): US$ 524, Demi-suite (JA4 only): US$ 310, Upgrade to 4/dives per day: US$ 267. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid in advance.

How to get there: You will board the Avalon III liveaboard at Jucaro Port, in Cuba's Ciego de Avila province, at approximately 15:00 hrs for the 3 hour voyage to Jardines de la Reina National Park. At the end of the trip you will cruise back to Jucaro and then disembark at 09:30 hrs on the final morning. The last dive of the trip will be around 14:00 hrs on the second last day of the trip. Please wait at least 18 hours before flying after diving.
If you want to avoid Havana and a 6 hour bus ride to the port, you can fly via Miami on Saturday to Santa Clara or Camaguey. Upon your arrival you will be picked up and taken direct to the port. The journey takes 2.5 hours. On the following Saturday you will be taken back to the airport. If you have a late flight they will organize a 4 hour city tour for you to avoid to wait hours at the airport.
If you wish to travel through Havana, you need to be in the city by Friday night. From Jose Marti International Airport, you can take a taxi to your pre-booked accommodation in Havana. The ride will take approximately 20-30 minutes and should cost 20-25 CUC one way. Agree on the price first, most taxis have meters, however they are rarely used. Ensure that you have accommodation reservations for at least one night before and 1 night after your liveaboard cruise (Havana hotels are booked up well in advance. Airbnb is highly recommended). A representative from Cuban Diving Centers will collect you at a very early 06:00-06:30 hrs from the Parque Central Hotel (or another agreed upon location at the time of your booking) for your 5-6 hour bus transfer to Jucaro. After the cruise, you will return via bus to Havana, arriving at approximately 20:30 hrs.

Non-diver rate: None.

Single supplement (if you do not want to share accommodation): This is optional - single travelers may choose to share a cabin or pay a supplement of approx. 65% of the published price.

Dive clubs and group discounts: Pay for 9 guests and 1 additional person can join the cruise free of charge (total 10 or more guests).

Whole boat charter rate (per night): Pay for 26 guests and 4 additional guests can join the cruise free of charge.