 | Imagine 250 virgin coral islands set in a sea of turquoise and jade. Los Jardines de la Reina (The Queen's Gardens)", some 60 miles off the mainland of Cuba, are a completely undeveloped natural wilderness, extending over 75 miles. |
Aside from a stunning variety of marine life, the coral islands are home to a fascinating collection of birds and plants. Birds commonly seen include ospreys, pelicans, frigate birds, spoonbills, and many different sorts of heron and egret. The only mammal is the ‘Jutia’ a tree loving animal the size of a squirrel, while reptiles are represented by a large population of iguanas. The flora is mainly palm trees, differing forms of Caribbean pine trees, sea grapes and the ever present mangroves.
Imagine a marine wilderness with walls covered with brightly hued sponges and corals plunging well below the limits of safe diving to shallow reefs filled with both schooling and solitary fish. The bones and maybe the booty of old Spanish galleons lie on the reefs, providing excitement for the diver and home to corals, sponges and fish.
Sharks are one of the main attractions and are everywhere. You can easily dive weekly with 5 different species of “Carcarinus”; Silky, Caribbean Reef, Lemon, Black tip, Nurse and you have chances to dive also with Whale sharks and Hammerhead sharks. The best opportunity for video and photography lovers in the Jardines is from Oct until May. Water clarity and visibility are at their peak, up to 200 feet. During summer time, June- -August you will have more fish around due to the reproduction season.
Avalon Cuban Diving Centers is the only operator allowed by law in this entire area and hosts no more than 350 divers a year.
Visit our website: http://www.divingincayolargo.com
Avalon Cuban Diving Centers Staff
The Jardines de la Reina archipelago is located 60 miles south off the central coast of Cuba. It is a coral reef close to 75 miles long, which makes it the third longest in the World. This territory is structured by 250 virgin Islands, surrounded by impassable mangrove trees. Crocodiles, turtles, iguanas and (jutías) are the main residents of the area. Jardines de la Reina was declared a National Park in 1996 and since then has been declared a protected ecological reserve.
ResponderEliminarCommercial fishing is prohibited in this area. The underwater world is beautiful and diverse. Marine walls are covered in sponges and coral. Beginning in shallow waters, the coral reefs serve as a residence to the countless diverse species of fish, offering them a natural shelter and protection.
What best characterizes the dives in Jardines de la Reina is the encounter with different varieties of sharks –the silky shark ,which is a fundamental part of the environment, provides humans the possibility of approaching them, feed them, and touch them.
Other species are Caribbean reef sharks, Lemon sharks, Hammer sharks and the Great Whale Shark.
Avalon is the only company, in this ecological area, allowed to organize diving trips for up to 500 divers per year. Up today, 80 dive spots have been arranged which are well protected by the wind and the water currents.