Diving in María la Gorda

Best Time to Dive in María la Gorda

The warmest water temperatures in María la Gorda occur in August, averaging 30.8°C (up to 31.8°C). The coolest conditions are in February at 26.6°C.

The calmest sea conditions are typically in September with average wave heights of 0.70m. Average current speed: 5.0 cm/s.

Monthly Water Temperatures

• January: 26.7°C (air: 26.2°C)
• February: 26.6°C (air: 26.4°C)
• March: 26.8°C (air: 26.5°C)
• April: 27.6°C (air: 27.4°C)
• May: 28.7°C (air: 28.2°C)
• June: 29.4°C (air: 28.8°C)
• July: 30.4°C (air: 29.4°C)
• August: 30.8°C (air: 29.5°C)
• September: 30.4°C (air: 29.5°C)
• October: 29.8°C (air: 29.0°C)
• November: 28.7°C (air: 27.9°C)
• December: 27.5°C (air: 26.8°C)

Marine Life in María la Gorda

Home to 109 recorded species including 85 reef fish, 9 hard corals, 6 sharks & rays, 4 other, 3 whales & dolphins, 2 sea snails & nudibranchs.

Dive Site Difficulty in María la Gorda

María la Gorda has 1 beginner dive sites - suitable for divers of all levels.

Recommended Packing List for María la Gorda

Based on average water temperature of 28.6°C, visibility 23 nmi, currents 8 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

Marine Protected Areas in María la Gorda

• Peninsula de Guanahacabibes - UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
• Punta del Este - Ecological Reserve (IUCN Category II)
• Sur de la Isla de la Juventud - Protected Area of Managed Resources (IUCN Category VI)
• Cayos de San Felipe - National Park (IUCN Category II)
• Guanahacabibes - National Park (IUCN Category II)
• Los Pretiles - Ecological Reserve (IUCN Category II)
• Punta Francés - National Park (IUCN Category II)
• Peninsula de Guanahacabibes - Protected Area of Managed Resources (IUCN Category II)
• Cayería de las Cayamas - Los Guzmanes - Wildlife Refuge (IUCN Category IV)
• Cayo Campos - Cayo Rosario - Wildlife Refuge (IUCN Category IV)
• Cayo Levisa- Corona de San Carlos - Protected Landscape (IUCN Category V)
• Ensenada de Portier-Lamas - Protected Landscape (IUCN Category V)
• Ciénaga de Lanier y Sur de la Isla de la Juventud - Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Cayos Los Indios - Wildlife Refuge (IUCN Category IV)
• Banco de San Antonio - Natural Outstanding Element (IUCN Category III)
• 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)
• Guanahacabibes - Specially Protected Area (Cartagena Convention) (IUCN Category II)
• Este del Archipiélago de los Colorados - Protected Area of Managed Resources (IUCN Category VI)

Getting to María la Gorda - Nearest Airports

• San Julián Air Base (SNJ), Sandino - 37 km away, approx 55 min travel time
• José Martí International Airport (HAV), Havana - 199 km away, approx 232 min travel time
• Juan Gualberto Gomez International Airport (VRA), Matanzas - 286 km away, approx 327 min travel time