Join us on an educational scuba expedition to Cuba!
We've arranged an educational trip to Cuba including Cuba’s spectacular Gardens of the Queen on the brand-new Avalon III liveaboard. Travel to Cuba under this program is legal for U.S. citizens and residents.
This licensed "people-to-people" educational visit examines the relationship of Cuban citizens with their natural environment, including 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.
You'll spend seven nights on board a brand-new liveaboard dive vessel, Avalon III, 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 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 by the Cuban government, and this mixed LGBT and friends charter can only accommodate 30 divers.
Package Includes:
- 7 nights accommodations on board Avalon III liveaboard
- 22 dives, conditions permitting
- Daily breakfast, lunch, dinner and non-alcoholic beverages
- Educational program
- Transportation in Cuba to the liveaboard from Havana (if participating in our Cuba People-to-People tour) or Camaguey.
Excluded:
Airfare to Cuba, Cuban visa and health insurance ($100 paid at airport check-in or transit), OFAC License fee of $100, Port Fee of $200, Conservation Fee of $100, Nitrox ($100 for week if you wish to dive with EANx), tips, laundry, souvenirs and other items of a personal nature.
Flights:
Plan to arrive in Camaguey (CMW) from the U.S. on May 4 (or Havana on April 27 if you are participating in our land tour). Plan to depart on May 11 from Camaguey (CMW) on AA at 17:20 to Miami, or alternatively Santa Clara (SNU) at 2 pm on JetBlue to Fort Lauderdale.
Departures after 3 pm on May 11 from Havana can be accommodated; be aware this requires an early morning six and a half hour bus transfer.
Deposit:
$1000 deposit due within 10 days of your completed application.
Second deposit of $1000 due on November
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Final payment of $999 due on February 1 (90 days prior to departure).
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 Cuba AFTER receiving completing your application and deposit.
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