DOLLART - María la Gorda

Dollart isn't your typical deep wreck dive. We're talking two metres, tops, barely enough to dunk your snorkel. But don't let the shallowness fool you; this is one of our favourite spots in María la Gorda for pure, unadulterated chill. The motor vessel Dollart ran aground back in 1972, and since then, the Caribbean has slowly but surely taken it over. You fin out just a short distance from shore, and there it is: the bow, barnacle-encrusted, breaking the surface. Duck your head under, and you're immediately in the heart of it. Schools of tiny silversides shimmer around the decaying superstructure, darting in and out of what used to be crew quarters. It's a proper playground for macro life, and we love just hovering, watching the gobies and blennies peek out from every crevice. You can practically swim the length of the deck, poking around rusted winches and collapsed bulkheads. The light here is incredible, filtering through the surface and making the whole scene glow. It’s a perfect second or third dive, or even a snorkel, for when you want something easy, beautiful, and a little bit eerie. If you're into photography, especially wide-angle ambient light shots, this spot is golden.

Location
María la Gorda, Cuba, Caribbean
Coordinates
22.441668, -84.510000
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
2m

Marine Protected Area: Los Pretiles

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)

Nearby Dive Sites in María la Gorda

Nearest Dive Centres to DOLLART

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.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for DOLLART

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