Playa Ancon - Varadero
Playa Ancon is a good introductory dive in Varadero. Dropping to a maximum depth of 21 metres, it’s a comfortable spot for newer divers to get their fins wet. Expect to see some of the usual Caribbean reef residents here – angelfish, parrotfish, and small groups of snapper. It’s a straightforward dive, well-suited for a relaxed afternoon.
- Location
- Varadero, Cuba, Caribbean
- Coordinates
- 21.736300, -80.012600
- Maximum Depth
- 21m
- Difficulty
- Beginner
Marine Protected Area: Delta del Agabama
Best Time to Dive in Varadero
The warmest water temperatures in Varadero occur in January, averaging 26.1°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 26.1°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 26.1°C (air: 23.8°C)
- February: 26.1°C (air: 24.1°C)
- March: 26.1°C (air: 24.7°C)
- April: 26.1°C (air: 25.7°C)
- May: 26.1°C (air: 26.7°C)
- June: 26.1°C (air: 27.7°C)
- July: 26.1°C (air: 28.7°C)
- August: 26.1°C (air: 28.8°C)
- September: 26.1°C (air: 28.5°C)
- October: 26.1°C (air: 27.5°C)
- November: 26.1°C (air: 26.3°C)
- December: 26.1°C (air: 24.6°C)
Nearby Dive Sites in Varadero
- Bajo del Francés
- Bajo Los Colorados
- Barrera de Felipe - 12m (reef)
- Caleta 1
- Cayo Coco - 16m
- El Acuario II
- El Róbalo (Wreck) - 24m (wreck)
- Espanol
- Español/Borracho - 15m
- JUCARO - 2m (wreck)
- La Angelica - 16m
- La Corona
- La Morena - 16m
- La Puntilla
- Las Pajuals - 5-20m (reef)
Nearest Dive Centres to Playa Ancon
Marine Life in Varadero
Home to 107 recorded species including 82 reef fish, 13 hard corals, 6 whales & dolphins, 2 jellyfish, 1 other, 1 sharks & rays.
Notable Species
- Cowfish (Tursiops truncatus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) - Reef Fish
- Fire coral (Millepora complanata) - Jellyfish
- Escolar (Lepidocybium flavobrunneum) - Reef Fish
- Blue Doctor (Acanthurus coeruleus) - Reef Fish
- Barber (Acanthurus bahianus) - Reef Fish
- French grunt (Haemulon flavolineatum) - Reef Fish
- Gutong (Sparisoma aurofrenatum) - Reef Fish
- Gutong (Scarus iseri) - Reef Fish
- Dark Green Parrotfish (Sparisoma viride) - Reef Fish
- Dorado (Coryphaena hippurus) - Reef Fish
- Bluestriped Grunt (Haemulon sciurus) - Reef Fish
- Sheephead (Microspathodon chrysurus) - Reef Fish
- Schoolmaster (Lutjanus apodus) - Reef Fish
- Grunt (Haemulon plumierii) - Reef Fish
- Lettuce Coral (Agaricia agaricites) - Hard Corals
- Coney (Cephalopholis fulva) - Reef Fish
- Hogfish (Bodianus rufus) - Reef Fish
- Massive Starlet Coral (Siderastrea siderea) - Hard Corals
- Blackfish (Melichthys niger) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for Playa Ancon
Based on average water temperature of 26.1°C.
- Shorty or Rashguard - warm 26°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