Diving in Isla de la Juventud

Best Time to Dive in Isla de la Juventud

The warmest water temperatures in Isla de la Juventud occur in January, averaging 26.8°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 26.8°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

• January: 26.8°C (air: 24.1°C)
• February: 26.8°C (air: 24.4°C)
• March: 26.8°C (air: 25.3°C)
• April: 26.8°C (air: 26.4°C)
• May: 26.8°C (air: 27.4°C)
• June: 26.8°C (air: 28.1°C)
• July: 26.8°C (air: 28.9°C)
• August: 26.8°C (air: 29.1°C)
• September: 26.8°C (air: 28.7°C)
• October: 26.8°C (air: 27.7°C)
• November: 26.8°C (air: 26.3°C)
• December: 26.8°C (air: 24.6°C)

Marine Life in Isla de la Juventud

Home to 143 recorded species including 99 reef fish, 28 hard corals, 6 whales & dolphins, 4 seagrass & algae, 2 jellyfish, 2 other.

Dive Site Difficulty in Isla de la Juventud

Isla de la Juventud has 8 beginner dive sites - suitable for divers of all levels.

Recommended Packing List for Isla de la Juventud

Based on average water temperature of 26.8°C.

• Shorty or Rashguard - warm 27°C water needs minimal exposure protection
• Mask - essential for every dive
• Fins
• BCD - buoyancy compensator
• Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
• Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
• Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
• Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
• Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories

Marine Protected Areas in Isla de la Juventud

• Cayo Largo - Ecological Reserve (IUCN Category II)
• Ciénaga de Zapata - National Park (IUCN Category II)
• Punta del Este - Ecological Reserve (IUCN Category II)
• Sur de la Isla de la Juventud - Protected Area of Managed Resources (IUCN Category VI)
• Sistema Espeleolacustre de Zapata - Natural Outstanding Element (IUCN Category III)
• Lanzanillo-Pajonal-Fragoso - Wildlife Refuge (IUCN Category IV)
• Ciénaga de Zapata - UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
• Las Picúas-Cayo Cristo - Wildlife Refuge (IUCN Category IV)
• Ojo del Mégano - Natural Outstanding Element (IUCN Category III)
• Península de Zapata - Protected Area of Managed Resources (IUCN Category II)
• Laguna de Maya - Wildlife Refuge (IUCN Category IV)
• Bacunayagua - Ecological Reserve (IUCN Category II)
• Boca de Canasí - Managed Flora Reserve (IUCN Category IV)
• Cayería de las Cayamas - Los Guzmanes - Wildlife Refuge (IUCN Category IV)
• Cayo Campos - Cayo Rosario - Wildlife Refuge (IUCN Category IV)
• Cayos de las Cinco Leguas - Wildlife Refuge (IUCN Category IV)
• Abra del Rio Cojímar - Managed Flora Reserve (IUCN Category IV)
• Ensenada de Portier-Lamas - Protected Landscape (IUCN Category V)
• Guajimico - Protected Landscape (IUCN Category V)
• Guanaroca-Punta Gavilan - Wildlife Refuge (IUCN Category IV)
• Laguna del Cobre-Itabo - Protected Landscape (IUCN Category V)
• Rincón de Guanabo - Protected Landscape (IUCN Category V)
• Ensenada de Tiscornia - Protected Landscape (IUCN Category V)
• Ciénaga de Zapata - Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Ciénaga de Lanier y Sur de la Isla de la Juventud - Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Cayo Mono-Galindo - Ecological Reserve (IUCN Category II)
• Cayos Los Indios - Wildlife Refuge (IUCN Category IV)
• Ensenada de Rancho Luna - Protected Landscape (IUCN Category V)
• Golfo de Batabanó - Wildlife Refuge (IUCN Category IV)
• Humedal Sur de los Palacios - Wildlife Refuge (IUCN Category IV)
• Ciénaga de Lanier - Wildlife Refuge (IUCN Category IV)

Getting to Isla de la Juventud - Nearest Airports

• Juan Gualberto Gomez International Airport (VRA), Matanzas - 47 km away, approx 66 min travel time
• José Martí International Airport (HAV), Havana - 95 km away, approx 118 min travel time
• Abel Santamaria International Airport (SNU), Santa Clara - 168 km away, approx 198 min travel time