Mucaras Reef - Jardines de la Reina

Southeast Rock feels like a proper Malpelo welcome. The site itself is a solid, craggy reef system, not the most colourful we’ve ever seen, but it’s the big animal action that makes it worthwhile. We typically encounter green turtles here, sometimes just cruising by, other times tucked into a crevice for a nap. It’s a good spot to get your bearings on a Malpelo trip, often a warm-up dive before the heavier currents hit elsewhere. We’d suggest keeping an eye on the blue, as it’s always a possibility for something larger to cruise past.

Location
Jardines de la Reina, Cuba, Caribbean
Coordinates
22.200000, -77.266670
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: Cayo Guajaba

Best Time to Dive in Jardines de la Reina

The warmest water temperatures in Jardines de la Reina occur in September, averaging 30.4°C. The coolest conditions are in February at 27.1°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 27.5°C
  • February: 27.1°C
  • March: 27.1°C
  • April: 27.8°C
  • May: 28.8°C
  • June: 29.2°C
  • July: 29.8°C
  • August: 30.2°C
  • September: 30.4°C
  • October: 29.9°C
  • November: 29.2°C
  • December: 28.3°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Jardines de la Reina

Nearest Dive Centres to Mucaras Reef

Marine Life in Jardines de la Reina

Home to 492 recorded species including 404 reef fish, 34 hard corals, 10 whales & dolphins, 10 sharks & rays, 8 other, 6 sea snails & nudibranchs.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Mucaras Reef

Based on average water temperature of 28.8°C, currents 16 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°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