MARIA DE LOS ANGELES - María la Gorda

María de los Ángeles isn't your typical wreck dive, and that's precisely why we love it. This isn't about depth or big pelagics. Instead, you're looking at a schooner, the María de los Ángeles herself, spread out in barely two metres of water, sometimes less. It’s like stepping into a shallow, salty time capsule. What you get here is pure, unadulterated history and incredible light. Imagine the sun dappling through the ripples on the surface, illuminating every detail of the wooden ribs and planks. We’re talking about the structure itself, slowly being reclaimed by the sea. Shoals of tiny silversides shimmer around the decaying timbers, and you’ll spot parrotfish nibbling on algae, their colours vibrant in the shallow sun. Look closely and you’ll find juvenile grunt hiding in the crevices, almost camouflaged against the wood. Our favourite part is just hovering above it all, watching the light play across the skeletal remains of the hull. It’s a photographer’s dream, particularly at mid-morning when the sun is high but not directly overhead. We’d suggest this for anyone who appreciates a different kind of dive, one that’s more about history and the quiet beauty of decay than tearing through a coral canyon.

Location
María la Gorda, Cuba, Caribbean
Coordinates
22.126944, -82.674164
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
2m

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 MARIA DE LOS ANGELES

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 MARIA DE LOS ANGELES

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