Join us on an educational scuba expedition to Cuba!
We've arranged a whole-boat charter of one of Oceans for Youth's educational trips to Cuba including Cuba’s spectacular Gardens of the Queen on the brand-new Jardines Aggressor liveaboard. Travel to Cuba under this program is legal for U.S. citizens and residents.
Oceans for Youth is licensed by the U.S. Treasury Department for educational programs to Cuba and all activities are in full compliance with U.S. Treasury regulations. Under the U.S. economic embargo of Cuba, travel to Cuba by U.S. citizens for tourism is prohibited. However, licensed "people-to-people" educational visits are permitted.
Oceans for Youth's Cuba Travel Program examines the relationship of Cuban citizens with their natural environment, including burgeoning socioeconomic and cultural issues brought about by Cuba’s growing ecotourism industry. The exchange also represents an opportunity to explore important environmental issues that impact the marine waters that both nations share through face-to-face interaction. The environment, and particularly the marine environment, is something that both biologically and culturally joins Cuba and the U.S. Visitors will meet with Cuban scientists, resource managers, ecotourism professionals and community members.
Seven nights of this 10-day/9-night trip will be spent aboard a brand-new liveaboard dive vessel, Jardines Aggressor, in the heart of Cuba's Gardens of the Queen (Jardines de la Reina) National Park, located 60 miles off the southern coast of Cuba, an archipelago comprising a chain of 250 virgin coral and mangrove islands extending along 75 miles of turquoise waters. Gardens of the Queen was recently featured on an award-winning segment of the CBS news program, 60 MINUTES hosted by Anderson Cooper. Gardens of the Queen is Cuba's first marine park and the largest no-take marine reserve in the Caribbean, where much of the story lies underwater. U.S. visitors will accompany Cuban specialists and be able to scuba dive in one of the healthiest marine ecosystems remaining in the Caribbean.
Space is limited. Visitation to Cuba's Gardens of the Queen is limited to only 1,000 divers per year by the Cuban government, and this LGBT charter is limited to just 20 divers.
Package Includes:
- 2 nights accommodations (double occupancy) in Havana at Hotel Parque Central
- 7 nights accommodations on board Jardines Aggressor liveaboard
- 15 dives, conditions permitting
- Daily breakfast, lunch, dinner and non-alcoholic beverages
- Educational program
- Transportation in Cuba to educational visits and transfers to the liveaboard.
Excluded:
Airfare to Havana (HAV), Cuban visa and health insurance, Port Fee of $190 and Conservation Fee of $100, tips, laundry, souvenirs and other items of a personal nature.
Flights:
We will assist you with booking a flight to Havana from the U.S.
Deposit:
To comply with U.S. law and Treasury Department regulations, all payments will be made to Oceans for Youth, the license holder for this educational visit to Cuba. Upon registering with Undersea Expeditions, you will be provided a link to pay your deposit online within 10 days.
How to reserve your space:
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Call or E-mail us to check availability, including your exact name as per your passport.
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We'll place a space on courtesy hold for you and send you a confirmation e-mail.
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Complete and return the trip application and waiver from the letter with your deposit per the instructions in your confirmation letter.
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Make your airline reservations to Havana AFTER receiving charter flight information.
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