We use cookies to personalise content for you and to analyse our traffic. Find out more how we use cookies. Accept Cookies

"Over 19 years making dreams come true for divers... just like you"

Contact us now at ask@dive-the-world.com
Liveaboard Search
Start dateEnd date
Website home>Liveaboards>Cuba>Halcon
Other Cuba options
Cuba Boats

Halcon



Length
21m
69 ft
Max 12
SSI
LOWEST PRICE GUARANTEE
At a glance...
  • Cruises around Jardines de la Reina
  • Maximum of 12 only divers
  • 6 complimentary drinks per day
  • Communal bathrooms
  • Access to the internet from sister ship
  • Steel-hulled boat

Click on an image to enlarge


The Halcón is the perfect affordable option for small groups of divers wishing to dive the remote, liveaboard only, pristine dive sites of the Jardines de la Reina (Gardens of the Queen) National Marine Park. With a maximum of 12 divers, guests will enjoy personal service by the professional crew of 8 during their Cuba liveaboard diving tour.

Recently refurbished, the steel-hulled Halcón retains her classic 70's styling and is one of the smaller boats in the Avalon Fleet. However, she provides scuba divers with comfort, good food and great service, including 6 complimentary drinks per day. In the evenings the Halcon anchors in one of the many sheltered lagoons or mangrove channels in the archipelago.

The pleasant, air conditioned lounge area is ideal to share diving videos and pictures with fellow tour guests, via the entertainment facilities. These include TV, DVD and sound system. At the end of the day, Halcón's divemasters will happily assist with fish identification while you contemplate the next day's diving over sunset cocktails on the liveaboard's wide bow.

The day's diving begins on the second day of the charter after a breakfast fit for kings. Guests step into the dive tender with their wetsuits where their scuba gear is conveniently prepared and waiting. After the first dive, you can explore the mangroves, islands and beaches. If snorkeling with American salt water crocodiles is on your bucket list, this may be your opportunity! The dive tenders whisk you back to the liveaboard after the 2nd dive for a well-earned delicious lunch. 1 or 2 dives are usually enjoyed in the afternoon before returning to the liveaboard for pre-dinner drinks.

The efficient staff return the diving equipment and cylinders to the Avalon Diving Center in the marine park for rinsing and to refill the tanks in preparation for the next day's diving. The Dive Center is close to Halcon's sister liveaboard, Tortuga. You can make the short transfer to the Tortuga with the dive tender and access the Internet on your personal device. The diving tour includes 15 dives (weather permitting). Additional dives are available on request, however night dives are not permitted in the marine park.

 English spoken by divemasters  Divemasters hablan Espanol

Scheduled departures, prices, destinations, durations...
Loading...

 English spoken by divemasters  Divemasters hablan Espanol

More Trip Details...

Cruise price per person includes: Cabin accommodation, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, 6 drinks per day (includes beer, wine, cocktails, soft drinks and mineral water), local airport transfers, dives (as detailed in the trips above, night dives are not available), experienced Spanish and English-speaking divemaster(s) (max number of 6 divers per DM), tanks, weights and weightbelts.

Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): Scuba equipment rental (US$ 175 full set, per trip, torch US$ 8 per night dive), it is compulsory to use a dive computer: please bring your own, port taxes (US$ 200) to be paid in advance, conservation fee (US$ 100) to be paid in advance, transfers from selected hotels in Havana to and from the boat (US$ 200) to be paid in advance, gratuities (min US$ 200 is compulsory, crew prefer this in Euro). Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival in CUC cash.

Optional extras: Additional dives on request, private divemaster US$ 1,200 (subject to availability), dive insurance, alcoholic and soft drinks (other than those included). Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival.

How to get there: If you wish to spend some time in 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 04:00 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 Port, in Cuba's Ciego de Avila province.

You will board the Avalon I liveaboard at approximately 09:00 hrs for the 3 hour voyage to Jardines de la Reina National Park. On the last day of the trip, you will cruise back to Jucaro Port and then travel via bus to Havana, arriving at approximately 20:30 hrs. 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 the 6 hour bus ride, 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 organise a 4 hour city tour for you to avoid to wait hours at the airport.

Non-diver rate: US$ 250 off the published price.

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 65% of the published price.

Dive clubs and group discounts: There are group discounts available for groups of 10 divers and above. Please contact us for more details.

Whole boat charter rate (per night): Whole boat charter rates are available. Please contact us for more details.


 English spoken by divemasters  Divemasters hablan Espanol

Cabins, Berths, Showers, Bathrooms...
Accommodation aboard the Halcon is comfortable and functional. The 6 cabins are on the lower deck, have portholes for natural lighting and share 3 bathrooms. 4 cabins have bunk beds and 2 have double beds. Guests are advised to bring their own adapters.

All the liveaboard cabins have:
  • Air-conditioning
  • Porthole
  • Shared bathroom: toilet, hot water shower and hand basin
  • Towels and soap
  • Bedside reading lights
  • Cabinet and shelves
  • Bedding
  • Shelves
  • Life jackets
  • Space for luggage
  • Round and flat 2-pin mains outlet 110 & 220 Volts - 24 hours per day
No. of toilets / showers - 3 / 3 - hot water

 English spoken by divemasters  Divemasters hablan Espanol

Crew, Facilities, Dive Courses...
The crew of 8/9 usually comprises (depending on the occupancy):
  • 1 Cruise leader
  • 2-3 Instructors / Divemasters
  • 1 Captain
  • 1 Engineer
  • 1 Cook
  • 2 Maids
2 Motorized dive dinghies - Dive platform, camera table and rinse tanks - Air-conditioned saloon with bar, TV, DVD & music system - Fish ID books, diving magazines - Open air social and dining area - Sun deck on the bow of the liveaboard - Internet is available on Halcon's sister liveaboard, Tortuga.

 English spoken by divemasters  Divemasters hablan Espanol

Menu, Cuisine Type...
Guests are assured of the same delicious food on each of the Avalon Fleet liveaboards, irrespective of the size of the vessel. Dining aboard the Halcón includes Cuban favorites featuring beans and bananas that are served alongside the best of Continental Italian cuisine. A wide selection of fresh fruits, salads and the house specialty, lobster, is served daily with chicken, pork and beef. Desserts are a highlight.

Notable mention should be made of Avalon's famous Cuban caramel custard and Caribbean rum-flavored cakes. Dining is usually enjoyed on the flydeck where guests enjoy island scenery and cooling breeze. During inclement weather, meals are waitress-served in the air-conditioned dining area. Limited complimentary beer, wine, cocktails, soft drinks and mineral water are included. If you fancy a pre-dinner aperitif or wine with your meal, they are available for purchase from the Halcon's well stocked bar.
  • Continental Italian and traditional Cuban favorites; 4-5 different dishes per sitting.
  • Waitress service in one of the 2 dining areas.
  • Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks (including pizza) in between.
  • 6 complimentary beverages per person, per day are provided. These include coffee, tea, soft drinks, beer, wine, cocktails and 2 liters mineral water. Additional mineral water and drinks are available for purchase. Snacks are provided free of charge.
  • Vegetarian, kosher, halal and allergic diets are catered for - please advise us of special requirements in advance.
  • The dining service begins with lunch, snacks and dinner on the first day of the tour. On the last day of the cruise guests are served breakfast, if the return cruise time is extended, lunch will be provided.

     English spoken by divemasters  Divemasters hablan Espanol

    Technical Specifications...
    • Built in year 1964
    • Size - 69ft x 16ft (21m x 5m)
    • Top speed - 12 knots
    • Cruising speed - 10 knots
    • 2 x 450 HP Detroit 71 diesel engines
    • Cummins Onan generator
    • Electricity - 110V/220V - 24 hours per day
    • Compressors, tanks and rental diving equipment are kept at the Avalon Diving Center and available for all the Avalon Fleet of liveaboards
    • 2 x Bauer Kap-15 Coltri compressors
    • 12 liter aluminum tanks with DIN & Int. fittings
    • 12 liter steel tanks with DIN & Int. fittings
    • Water capacity - 2,000 liters
    • Watermaker - 800 liters per day
    • Fuel capacity - 4,500 liters

     English spoken by divemasters  Divemasters hablan Espanol

    Navigation, Safety Features...
    • No life rafts
    • 2 x 150 HP Yamaha motorized dinghies
    • Radios
    • Global Positioning System (GPS)
    • Radar
    • Fishfinder
    • Emergency evacuation plan
    • Searchlight and horn
    • Bilge pump alarm
    • Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)
    • Advanced medic first aid box
    • Staff are MFA/EFR trained
    • Emergency oxygen, 10 liters onboard, additional on the sister ships
    • 15 life jackets throughout
    • Fire alarms and 4 extinguishers throughout
    • Medical insurance is MANDATORY in Cuba

     English spoken by divemasters  Divemasters hablan Espanol


    Cuba


    Return to the top of the page