Jardines Aggressor II

The Jardines Aggressor II liveaboard yacht explores the spectacular Gardens of the Queen (Jardines de la Reina) of Cuba, one of the healthiest marine ecosystems in the Caribbean, on 7 night diving cruises. This remote national park is famous for encounters with giant groupers, a range of sharks such as Caribbean, silky and nurse, as well as saltwater crocodiles. It is a large yacht (120 ft/41m) with a wide beam built and powered for comfort, safety and stability. It is diesel-powered and cruises at 10 knots.

The Jardines Aggressor II, a member of the Aggressor Fleet, sleeps 24 guests in privacy and comfort. There is a roomy, air conditioned saloon and dining area, sun deck complete with a hot tub, lounge seats and deck chairs, stereo and CD player (with IPod plug-in), shaded wet bar and grill. There is also a photo center with a digital video and still photo editing computer. There is a variety of evening entertainment, including diving and marine presentations, movies, games and more. A small book exchange library is maintained onboard, as well as fish identification reference books.

Diving facilities include nitrox, individual dive lockers with ample storage space, camera table with low-pressure air hoses, and 2 hot, fresh water showers. The dive deck and platform area are very spacious. The egress ladders were designed for convenience to allow divers easy entries and exits. Enjoy fresh water showers on the deck after your dives and dry off with a warm towel. The dive crew of the Jardines Aggressor II, with their unique combination of talents, offers the ultimate scuba service. While onboard, you may pick a buddy of your choice, or dive with one of the crew members. All diving onboard is from 2 x 30 ft/9m long tenders and should be within the limits and standards of the training agency that certified you. The yacht’s video professional will capture your diving adventure to share your Cuban liveaboard dive adventure with family and friends.

Notes: The age limit to scuba dive by Cuban law is 15 years of age.

Cruise price per person includes: Cabin accommodation, breakfast, lunch (including on final day), dinner, snacks, drinking water, soft drinks, hot drinks, local beer and wine, transfers to the boat from the local airports (Santa Clara or Camaguey), dives (as detailed in the trips above), experienced dive guides (DM ratio 12:1), tanks, weights and weightbelts.

Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): Scuba equipment rental (US$ 175 per week), diving computer, port fees (US$ 190), marine park conservation fees (US$ 100), dive insurance. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival (credit card only).

Optional extras: Alcoholic drinks (other than local beer or wine), nitrox fills for enriched air certified divers (US$ 100 per person per tour), torch, 15 litre tank (US$ 50-70 per week). Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival.

How to get there: You will be met at 6 pm at Santa Clara or Camaguey airport on the Saturday and transferred to the Jardines Aggressor II at Port Jucaro. A Cubatur representative in a yellow shirt who will assist with your luggage and transfer. If you arrive after 6 pm, you must make your own way to the boat in Jucaro which is about a 3 hour ride. Boarding begins at 5 pm for guests making their own way to Jucaro. Once at Jucaro Port, you will board the Jardines Aggressor II liveaboard for the 3 hour voyage to Jardines de la Reina National Park.

On the last full day of the trip you will cruise back to Jucaro and then disembark at 8 am on the final morning (Saturday). You will then be taken back to the airport, arriving at about 1 pm, stopping along the way for lunch. The last dive of the trip will be around 2 pm on the second last day of the trip. Please wait at least 18 hours before flying after diving.

There are many daily international flights available to/from Cuba, and we can help you book your airline travel reservations directly with the boat if required.

Non-diver rate: US$ 200 off the full 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 normal published price.

Dive clubs and group discounts: Pay for 9 guests, and 3 additional persons can join the cruise in a Deluxe Stateroom free of charge (total 12 or more guests).

Whole boat charter rate (per night): Pay for 16 guests and 8 additional persons can join the cruise in a deluxe Stateroom free of charge (24 guests).

The Jardines Aggressor II has 12 guest cabins, all with private bathrooms. There are 2 Balcony Suites with twin or king-size bed beds in the bow of the main deck, with sliding glass doors. On the lower deck, there are 10 Deluxe Staterooms with twin beds (some of which can be converted to king-size beds). Some of these cabins have portholes, others not.

All the cabins have: No. of bathrooms / showers - 14 / 14 - hot water