In March 2026, 28 Mar Hosted Trips divers set off for one of the most unique dive destinations in the Caribbean.
We spent a week liveaboard diving in Cuba’s remote marine park, Jardines de la Reina or Gardens of the Queen.
The trip combined a full week of liveaboard diving with a cultural extension in Havana. Together it created an experience that was about much more than diving. It was about healthy reefs, incredible wildlife, Cuban culture, and meaningful connection with the places we travel.
About Our Trip
Our group spent one week aboard a liveaboard exploring Jardines de la Reina, one of the most protected reef systems in the Caribbean.
With 28 divers on board, we settled into the rhythm of liveaboard life quickly. Days were built around diving, relaxation, and enjoying the remote beauty of the park.
We did three to four dives a day, giving divers plenty of opportunities to explore the reefs and encounter the incredible marine life that makes this destination famous.
This liveaboard operates a little differently than most. Instead of moving the main boat and going to dive sites on dingy’s, we used pangas for our dives.
The main vessel moves less frequently, and each dive team has a large panga for the dives. We would do two morning dives, with a surface interval on a remote beach somewhere.
The park is full of wildlife both above and below the water. Every surface interval was joined by local wildlife like iguanas, birds, hermit crabs, and the endemic hutias.
The pristine mangrove ecosystems make every break between dives feel like part of the adventure.
Why Dive in Cuba?
The diving in Jardines de la Reina is special for one big reason: environmental protection works.
The Jardines de la Reina marine park has been carefully managed for decades with tightly controlled tourism and fishing restrictions. The result is one of the healthiest reef ecosystems in the Caribbean.
The reefs are vibrant and full of life. Large groupers hover confidently near divers. Coral structures are thriving. Sharks are common rather than rare.
Throughout the week our divers encountered:
- Reef sharks cruising the sites with us
- Massive groupers
- Healthy coral gardens
- Dense schools of reef fish
- Curious, bold wildlife
- A marine ecosystem that feels truly alive
It is a powerful reminder of what reefs can look like when they are protected.
The dive operation itself is extremely well organized & safety focused. Divers are divided into small groups with a ratio of about five divers per guide, allowing for relaxed dives and personalized attention.
The hospitality on board is just as impressive as the diving. After each dive we were welcomed back with music, warm towels, and snacks waiting for us on deck. The crew took exceptional care of everyone on board, and the boat itself was comfortable and well equipped for a full week at sea.
The crew in Cuba is truly special. The crew makes us feel less like clients and more like friends.
A Day Aboard the Avalon IV
Life on the liveaboard quickly finds its rhythm.
Mornings begin early with coffee and breakfast before heading out for the first dives of the day. Divers step into the pangas and head out across calm Caribbean waters toward the reefs.
There are more than 80 dives sites accessible from the liveaboard, so each day our guides are able to choose sites that offer the best conditions, access, and marine life interactions.
Surface intervals are never boring here. We explore nearby beaches or wander through the mangrove islands that make up this unique marine park.
After the first two dives, we are welcomed back to the main vessel with music, snacks, and hot towels. The lunch!
The Avalon does a great job of accommodating all types of dietary needs, making sure we are taken care of above the water too.
Afternoons include more dives, lounging on the upper decks and hot tub, then dinner, dive stories, and resting for the next day.
The pace is relaxed but full. Dive, eat, rest, repeat.
It is the kind of rhythm that makes a week pass both quickly and beautifully.
Sadly, even the best things come to an end. After 7 nights on board, and 6 dive days, it was time to say goodbye to the Avalon. Until next year!
Three Days in Havana
After the liveaboard, a smaller group continued on to Havana for a three-day cultural extension.
Havana adds a completely different dimension to the trip.
During our time in the city we explored historic neighborhoods, learned about Cuban culture, and experienced the vibrant music and energy that defines the capital.
Highlights included:
- Riding in classic convertibles along the Malecón
- Salsa lessons
- Guided cultural tours
- A professional photoshoot around the colorful streets
- Incredible Cuban food and live music
- A local guide who made sure every moment was authentic and perfect
The Havana portion of the trip is fully arranged, allowing us to simply enjoy the experience while we handle logistics.
It also gives us the chance to contribute to the communities we visit. On this trip we brought several bags of supplies including school materials and medical items, which were delivered into trusted hands throughout the community.
Travel can create meaningful connections, and in a place like Cuba those small gestures matter.
Why We Keep Going Back
Cuba offers something rare.
It offers extraordinary diving in one of the healthiest marine parks in the Caribbean. It offers culture, music, and history that cannot be replicated anywhere else. And it offers the chance to travel with intention, connection, and care.
For many of our travelers, this trip becomes a favorite.
Not just because of the sharks or the reefs, but because of the people we meet and the perspective we gain along the way.
That is why MAR Hosted Trips continues to return to Cuba.
And we cannot wait to do it again next year.
How to go to Cuba with MHT
A common question we get is how we can travel to Cuba, especially for our US passport holders.
MHT travels with Avalon Outdoor. They arrange all the paperwork and documents we need to enter to Cuba from the USA.
United States passport holders enter Cuba via Humanitarian & Environmental Project participation. Our entire experience on the Avalon is organized around marine protections, participation, and education.
Throughout the trip we:
- receive briefings on sustainable marine sport activities and interactions
- have presentations and classroom sessions from local biologists and conservationists
- assist in counting marine life encounters (every day)
We learn so much on this trip about maintaining biodiversity, the importance of marine parks, and ways we can continue to promote conservation on all of our future dives.
Tips for Cuba Liveaboard with MHT
This liveaboard is the perfect entry to liveaboard diving. The difficulty is very low, its the perfect opportunity to get comfortable in the water and diving multiple times a day.
We recommend being comfortable with diving just because of the physical demands of multiple dives a day. Otherwise, its the perfect place to learn.
