Diving in Varadero
Why dive here
Varadero offers some of Cuba's richest diving, with 107+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, dolphins, humpback whales, manta rays and mobula rays (devil rays). Water sits around 26°C.
Varadero diving is convenient, and that’s a big part of its charm. You’re right there in Cuba’s most famous resort town, so it's all about easy access to some decent diving. We're talking reefs that start shallow and hold plenty of grunts and schoolmasters, plus a few wreck dives for a bit more interest. Our favourite site here has to be the Neptune wreck. It's not a massive freighter, but it’s a nice size for an intermediate dive, with good penetration opportunities if you’re qualified, and often has schools of jacks swirling around it. We've also had some fun dives among the elkhorn coral formations, keeping an eye out for the shy blackfin blennies tucked into crevices. The currents are generally mild, making it a good spot for easing back into diving or for those newer to the sport. Visibility is usually pretty good, particularly in the summer months, often pushing past 20 metres. And for something completely different, don't miss the chance to dive the Saturno cave system - the light rays piercing the freshwater are genuinely something to see, even if it's not a classic coral reef dive.
Varadero Dive Site Map
Dive sites and dive centres in Varadero
Varadero Dive Sites
24 dive sites in Varadero
Bajo del Francés
Located in Varadero, Cuba, Bajo del Francés is a dive site.
Bajo Los Colorados
Bajo Los Colorados is a dive site in Varadero, Cuba.
Barrera de Felipe
Barrera de Felipe offers a straightforward reef dive, shallow at 12 meters, making it ideal for newer divers or those looking for an easy second tank. You’ll find typical Caribbean reef fish here, like parrotfish and small snappers, navigating the coral formations. It's a relaxed site, good for getting comfortable in the water and enjoying the general reef scenery without strong currents to contend with. We'd suggest it as a gentle introduction to Varadero's underwater world.
Caleta 1
Caleta 1 is a straightforward shore dive near Varadero, good for a relaxed afternoon. You’ll find small reef patches and sandy areas, often with juvenile reef fish and sometimes a sleepy nurse shark tucked under a ledge. It’s an easy entry, making it a decent choice for photographers looking for macro subjects or divers just getting comfortable in the ocean. The currents are usually mild here.
Cayo Coco
Cayo Coco, off Varadero, is a shallow dive, perfect for those just starting out. You’ll find brain corals and some scattered gorgonians, with the usual suspects like grunts and snapper darting about. At 16 metres, it’s an easy, relaxed exploration, a decent first dip for new divers getting comfortable with their buoyancy. We’d suggest it for an afternoon boat dive, after you've completed your theory.
El Acuario II
El Acuario II is one of Varadero’s main artificial reefs, a small cluster of concrete structures and tire piles dropped to create new habitat. While not the most natural looking dive, it does attract a decent crowd of reef fish. You'll often spot snapper, grunt, and small schooling fish flitting around the structures, making it a good spot for a relaxed shallow dive. It’s perfect if you’re looking for a simple, easy dive with reliable fish encounters.
El Róbalo (Wreck)
We love a wreck with a story, and the El Róbalo delivers. This old merchant vessel, sunk deliberately in 1999, sits upright in about 24 metres of water, offering a decent penetration for those with the training. The original intention was an artificial reef, and it's certainly doing its job, but the wreck itself has a charm that goes beyond just being a fish hotel. Dropping down, the first thing you notice is the sheer scale. The bow points slightly upwards, creating a dramatic silhouette against the blue. Schools of horse-eye jacks often hang off the stern, a shimmering curtain you swim through to reach the main deck. Inside, we’ve found nurse sharks snoozing in the darker holds, and the odd green moray eel peeking from behind twisted metal. Light filters in through portholes, illuminating massive barrel sponges and gorgonians that have firmly taken root. It’s an intermediate dive, definitely, with some current often present, but nothing too taxing. We’d suggest a nitrox blend if you want decent bottom time to properly explore the interior and photograph the incredible invertebrate growth. Our favourite moment? Hovering above the bridge, looking down into the guts of the ship, feeling that sense of history and the ocean's reclamation.
Espanol
Espanol in Varadero offers a relaxed Caribbean dive, good for getting your buoyancy dialed in. We generally find a mix of smaller reef fish here, parrotfish and snapper mostly, tucked into the coral patches. It’s a solid choice for newer divers or for a chilled-out afternoon plunge after a morning of wreck diving. We've seen a few morays peeking out, too.
Español/Borracho
Español/Borracho is a relaxed shallow dive in Varadero, perfect for those new to the sport. Down at 15 metres, you'll likely spot a few snapper and grunt sheltering among the scattered coral heads. It's a gentle introduction to Caribbean diving, with calm conditions most days. We'd suggest it for training dives or an easy afternoon bob around.
JUCARO
Jucaro is one of those sites we always recommend to newer divers, or anyone looking for a relaxed, shallow dive that still delivers on character. It's a wooden transport ship, dating back to the late 19th century, lying perfectly upright in just two metres of water. We love how the shallow depth means the natural light just floods the wreck, painting the scene in blues and greens. You can spend a good hour here, slowly finning around the bow and stern, poking your head into what’s left of the cargo holds. The timbers are completely encrusted with sponges and small soft corals, creating mini ecosystems. Look closely in the crevices and you’ll spot a surprising number of juvenile fish – sergeant majors darting in and out, damselfish guarding their territories. We often see small crabs scuttling over the decaying planks, too. It’s not about big pelagics here, but about the intricate beauty of a wreck slowly being reclaimed by the sea. Our tip? Go early in the morning before any wind picks up; the calmer the surface, the better the visibility and light penetration on the wreck.
La Angelica
La Angelica, just off Varadero, is a straightforward dive down to 16 metres. We’ve always found it to be a good spot for spotting reef fish and the occasional crab hiding in the coral heads. It’s an easy intermediate dive, perfect if you’re looking for a relaxed afternoon exploring the reef without strong currents.
La Corona
La Corona in Varadero offers a relaxed dive suitable for newer divers or those looking for an easy day in the water. We typically see lots of smaller reef fish here, along with the occasional moray eel peeking from the corals. The conditions are usually calm, making it a good spot for building confidence or a simple afternoon drift.
Varadero Dive Centres
3 dive shops and operators in Varadero
Ocean Wildlife in Varadero
107 species recorded in Varadero
Varadero Daylight & Sunrise/Sunset
Sunrise and sunset times for Varadero, calculated from coordinates
Today - Monday 24 August
Sunrise
05:58
Sunset
18:44
Daylight
12h 46m
Golden Hour
18:14
First light (dawn) at 05:35 · Last light (dusk) at 19:07
Monthly Averages
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 07:00 | 17:54 | 10h 54m |
| Feb | 06:51 | 18:14 | 11h 24m |
| Mar | 06:28 | 18:27 | 11h 59m |
| Apr | 05:59 | 18:38 | 12h 39m |
| May | 05:39 | 18:51 | 13h 12m |
| JunLongest | 05:34 | 19:03 | 13h 30m |
| Jul | 05:42 | 19:06 | 13h 23m |
| AugNow | 05:55 | 18:51 | 12h 56m |
| Sep | 06:05 | 18:23 | 12h 18m |
| Oct | 06:14 | 17:54 | 11h 40m |
| Nov | 06:30 | 17:35 | 11h 5m |
| DecShortest | 06:50 | 17:36 | 10h 46m |
Times are approximate local times based on longitude. Actual times may vary slightly depending on the exact timezone observed in Varadero.
Where to Stay near Varadero
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Marine Protected Areas near Varadero
30 protected areas near Varadero - please respect local regulations when diving
Buenavista
Buenavista
Buenavista
Península de Zapata
Jardines de la Reina
Humedales del Norte de Ciego de Avila
Humedales de Cayo Romano
Gran Humedal del Norte de Ciego de Ávila
Lanzanillo-Pajonal-Fragoso
Las Picúas-Cayo Cristo
Los Caimanes
Cayo Santa María
Showing 12 largest of 30
Getting to Varadero
Ciro Redondo
Santa Clara
Camaguey
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