CUBA DIVE LIVEABOARD
July 9 - 16, 2022
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Our trip is legal travel to Cuba for U.S. citizens. When we secured our liveaboard contract in 2018, we secured it for the entire group. A grandfather clause in the Trump administration's new rules (click to read) authorizes group travel contracted prior to June 4, 2019, to proceed as planned. According to Oceans For Youth Foundation, the license holder for our trip, all that remains is to prepare a roster of who is traveling in our group. Commercial flights to Havana have not been affected, so let's enjoy our U.S.-licensed program in Cuba while we still can. Please let us know if you'd like to join our authorized group.
Imagine yourself going back in time, say 40-50 years ago. Caribbean diving back then was exhilarating, prolific with sightings of sharks, rays, groupers and tarpon a common theme. Healthy, hard coral expanses extended for miles, teeming with marine life living among healthy Elkhorn and other corals. |
Ocean conservation in Cuba, as presented on "60 Minutes
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Imagine a place as healthy today as the rest of the Caribbean was 40 years ago. A living time capsule, Cuba's Gardens of the Queen Marine Park, protected since 1996, even today is home to healthy, abundant populations of 5 different sharks: Nurse, Blacktip, Lemon, Silky and the Great Hammerhead. It's one of the few places where Nassau, Black and Goliath Groupers thrive in large numbers. Fish populations in Gardens of the Queen are remarkably robust, including Bonefish, Black Grouper, Cubera Snapper, Orcas, even Sperm Whales. Elkhorn Coral, elsewhere in decline, is healthy and abundant here. You will see pristine coral reefs, steep walls dropping from the reef to the abyss, large populations of adult fish including snapper, grouper and jewfish up to 400 pounds. This chain of 250 virgin coral and mangrove islands is encompassed by 75 miles of clear turquoise water. Click here for info on dive sites inside Gardens of the Queen.
Scientists are studying this area to understand why the marine ecosystems of Gardens of the Queen have been able to thrive in a world where elsewhere corals are dying and large, predatory fish have all but disappeared. A highlight of our special program includes nightly discussions hosted by Cuban marine ecosystem experts. Learn why these reefs remain among the healthiest in the Caribbean and get answers to any questions that arose during the day’s dives.
Scientists are studying this area to understand why the marine ecosystems of Gardens of the Queen have been able to thrive in a world where elsewhere corals are dying and large, predatory fish have all but disappeared. A highlight of our special program includes nightly discussions hosted by Cuban marine ecosystem experts. Learn why these reefs remain among the healthiest in the Caribbean and get answers to any questions that arose during the day’s dives.
Our home in Cuba's Gardens of the Queen will be Jardines Aggressor II dive liveaboard. Complementing our SCUBA experience, Cuban ecologists will host educational presentations onboard Jardines Aggressor II about the importance of this unique marine ecosystem. We'll spend five and a half days diving in Cuba’s pristine Gardens of the Queen (Jardines de la Reina) National Park to see firsthand this awe-inspiring chain of 250 coral and mangrove islands, encompassing 75 miles of beautiful, clear turquoise water.
In addition to SCUBA diving on the reefs, we also have a few other activities planned, including a chance to snorkel in the sea grass and inside the mangrove nursery for young fish, over pristine Elkhorn Coral and a beach visit to see local iguanas and the large native rodent, the Jutia.
In addition to SCUBA diving on the reefs, we also have a few other activities planned, including a chance to snorkel in the sea grass and inside the mangrove nursery for young fish, over pristine Elkhorn Coral and a beach visit to see local iguanas and the large native rodent, the Jutia.
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Cuba is one of the few places in the world where we can safely swim with wild crocodiles (about 5 feet long), or if you'd rather, view them from a dinghy. Cuban Crocodiles were hunted almost to extinction from the mid-19th century to the 1960's. Today they are considered endangered from habitat loss and interbreeding with American Crocodiles, a reminder that even in this remote archipelago, real-world pressures intrude.
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CUBA DIVE LIVEABOARD
$4,399 - Deluxe Stateroom - Twin Beds, lower deck, double-occupancy
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INCLUDED
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NOT INCLUDED
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A portion of the funds paid for this trip supports ongoing scientific research and marine conservation in Gardens of the Queen and may be tax-deductible for U.S. income reporting purposes. Oceans For Youth Foundation will provide a link for you to download a tax letter, documenting your charitable contributions on behalf of the U.S.-based non-profit Oceans For Youth Foundation (501(c)(3) and its Cuba Marine Conservation Program. Please consult a tax professional as to how this may or may not benefit you.
TRAVELING TO CUBA
CUBA ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
As a traveler, you are responsible for obtaining all necessary documents to satisfy U.S. legal entry requirements into Cuba. These include
1) full completion of the online GIS "Guest Information System";
2) a valid U.S. passport;
3) a letter of authorization from OFAC for travel to Cuba (provided by Oceans For Youth Foundation);
5) a Cuban Tourist Card (i.e. Cuba entrance visa), estimated $100;
4) Cuban health insurance policy, $25 (included in your airline ticket);
6) Cuban COVID-19 medical insurance policy, $100.
TRAVEL AGENT ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE: If you prefer to use a travel agent, Aggressor Travel is a licensed travel provider for our Cuba Travel Program and can book your airline travel only for the authorized dates of our dive trip, July 9-16,.2022. They are familiar with our program and understand the requirements of our travel to Cuba. You can reach them by sending email to info@aggressortravel.com. Be aware that Aggressor Travel charges a fee of $50 for booking airline tickets, which includes monitoring your flights and notifying you of any changes before your departure date.
TRIP DATES
Our Cuba dive liveaboard cruise dates are Saturday to Saturday, July 9-16, 2022. It is optional, but we recommend that you arrive in Miami on Friday, July 8, and plan to spend one night in a Miami hotel prior to the dive cruise. Your flight home after the liveaboard may be scheduled out of Havana airport for early Saturday evening around 6pm or later on July 16, 2022.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
There are many daily international flights available. You'll want to fly into Havana Airport [airport code: HAV] in Cuba to arrive before 12 noon on Saturday, July 9, 2022, with departure on Saturday early evening, July 16, 2022 at or after 6pm. Flights usually may be booked within 335 days of your flight dates.
PASSPORT & VISA
Your passport must be valid for 6 months beyond your return date for your international flight. Cuba entry requires a Cuban Tourist Card; instructions on how to obtain the Tourist Card will come from your airline before your flight date.
Your Passport details must be current and exactly match the OFAC Letter at the time of travel. This letter is provided by our program. You'll want to print the OFAC letter after completing the online GIS to bring with you on the trip. Travelers are on an educational People-To-People exchange program as grandfathered under the new Cuba travel rules published by the Trump administration on June 4, 2019.
ARRIVAL IN CUBA: Havana (Jose Martí International Airport)
For our 7-night program, travelers will arrive before 12 noon on Saturday, July 9, 2022, at Havana Airport [airport code: HAV]. After collecting our checked bags, we'll board our air-conditioned bus to transfer from Havana to Júcaro to meet our dive liveaboard, Jardines Aggressor II, where it will be waiting for us in Cuba's magnificent Gardens of the Queen marine park. This drive takes approximately 6-7 hours. There will be no stops along the way; however, the bus has an onboard bathroom. You are encouraged to bring snacks from home or grab a lunch in Miami airport for this long drive to the boat. Dinner will be served shortly after everyone is settled onboard the boat.
The week will include 5-1/2 days of diving onboard Jardines Aggressor II, beginning on Saturday, July 9, with the boat returning back to port in Júcaro on Saturday morning, July 16, 2022.
DEPARTURE FROM CUBA
Early Saturday morning, July 9, 2022, travelers will enjoy continental breakfast onboard, then depart the Jardines Aggressor II for an approximate 6-7 hour bus ride to Jose Martí International Airport in Havana. There may or may not be stops along the way. We will arrive at the airport in the early afternoon. Flights to the U.S. can be scheduled for 6pm or later.
CUBA AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAX
Most U.S.-based airlines include the $25 departure tax in the cost of the air ticket; please verify this with your airline carrier.
As a traveler, you are responsible for obtaining all necessary documents to satisfy U.S. legal entry requirements into Cuba. These include
1) full completion of the online GIS "Guest Information System";
2) a valid U.S. passport;
3) a letter of authorization from OFAC for travel to Cuba (provided by Oceans For Youth Foundation);
5) a Cuban Tourist Card (i.e. Cuba entrance visa), estimated $100;
4) Cuban health insurance policy, $25 (included in your airline ticket);
6) Cuban COVID-19 medical insurance policy, $100.
TRAVEL AGENT ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE: If you prefer to use a travel agent, Aggressor Travel is a licensed travel provider for our Cuba Travel Program and can book your airline travel only for the authorized dates of our dive trip, July 9-16,.2022. They are familiar with our program and understand the requirements of our travel to Cuba. You can reach them by sending email to info@aggressortravel.com. Be aware that Aggressor Travel charges a fee of $50 for booking airline tickets, which includes monitoring your flights and notifying you of any changes before your departure date.
TRIP DATES
Our Cuba dive liveaboard cruise dates are Saturday to Saturday, July 9-16, 2022. It is optional, but we recommend that you arrive in Miami on Friday, July 8, and plan to spend one night in a Miami hotel prior to the dive cruise. Your flight home after the liveaboard may be scheduled out of Havana airport for early Saturday evening around 6pm or later on July 16, 2022.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
There are many daily international flights available. You'll want to fly into Havana Airport [airport code: HAV] in Cuba to arrive before 12 noon on Saturday, July 9, 2022, with departure on Saturday early evening, July 16, 2022 at or after 6pm. Flights usually may be booked within 335 days of your flight dates.
PASSPORT & VISA
Your passport must be valid for 6 months beyond your return date for your international flight. Cuba entry requires a Cuban Tourist Card; instructions on how to obtain the Tourist Card will come from your airline before your flight date.
Your Passport details must be current and exactly match the OFAC Letter at the time of travel. This letter is provided by our program. You'll want to print the OFAC letter after completing the online GIS to bring with you on the trip. Travelers are on an educational People-To-People exchange program as grandfathered under the new Cuba travel rules published by the Trump administration on June 4, 2019.
ARRIVAL IN CUBA: Havana (Jose Martí International Airport)
For our 7-night program, travelers will arrive before 12 noon on Saturday, July 9, 2022, at Havana Airport [airport code: HAV]. After collecting our checked bags, we'll board our air-conditioned bus to transfer from Havana to Júcaro to meet our dive liveaboard, Jardines Aggressor II, where it will be waiting for us in Cuba's magnificent Gardens of the Queen marine park. This drive takes approximately 6-7 hours. There will be no stops along the way; however, the bus has an onboard bathroom. You are encouraged to bring snacks from home or grab a lunch in Miami airport for this long drive to the boat. Dinner will be served shortly after everyone is settled onboard the boat.
The week will include 5-1/2 days of diving onboard Jardines Aggressor II, beginning on Saturday, July 9, with the boat returning back to port in Júcaro on Saturday morning, July 16, 2022.
DEPARTURE FROM CUBA
Early Saturday morning, July 9, 2022, travelers will enjoy continental breakfast onboard, then depart the Jardines Aggressor II for an approximate 6-7 hour bus ride to Jose Martí International Airport in Havana. There may or may not be stops along the way. We will arrive at the airport in the early afternoon. Flights to the U.S. can be scheduled for 6pm or later.
CUBA AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAX
Most U.S.-based airlines include the $25 departure tax in the cost of the air ticket; please verify this with your airline carrier.
Come with us to discover Cuba's Gardens of the Queen in an immersive eco-exploration of this enigmatic Caribbean wonder
