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Dive Review of Colony Hotel in
Cuba/Isle de Juventud

 
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Colony Hotel: "Isla de Juventud, Cuba", Mar, 2016,

by Joseph H. Saunders, FL, US ( 1 report). Report 8882.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 2 stars Food 2 stars
Service and Attitude 4 stars Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation 4 stars Shore Diving 3 stars
Snorkeling 5 stars
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 5 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments Excellent diving and very few people here. The coral reefs at Punta Frances are pristine. I saw a great variety and large numbers of snappers, parrot fish, wrasse, and small grouper. There were large lobster everywhere. I also saw large stingrays and a few eagle rays gliding along the wall at about 100 feet. There were tarpon and barracuda as well.

There are shallow reefs that are easily accessible to snorkelers. This area is a marine preserve so there is no fishing or spearfishing allowed.

Divemaster Henry was excellent. His name was mentioned in an undercurrent report 10-15 years ago.

Punta Frances is in the lee side of the shore so it is protected from the trade winds. The current is negligible so this is comfortable easy diving. It is a 90 minute boat ride from the marina near the colony hotel to the dive areas at Punta Frances. Travel in Cuba is difficult and food is marginal because this is still a communist country. There is little infrastructure. The dive shop has good Cressi gear but nothing else. You cannot buy any dive supplies or equipment here. If you are an adventurer you will love this place. The Colony Hotel is a 1950's mafia built hotel. If you want a luxury hotel with great food this place is not for you.

I was on a person to person U.S. visa for marine research chaperoning a high school class. I went to the marina one day by myself to dive and I was the only person there. The marina required a minimum of three to do a trip so I paid $80 times three to cover myself and two others (who of course never showed up) and I was the only diver all day with divemaster Henry.

I had a great experience here and I would and probably will go back.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 101-250 dives
Where else diving Florida, Hawaii, Caymans, Mexico, California
Closest Airport Nueva Gerona Getting There 80 miles off the coast of Cuba. Air from Havana or ferry boat.

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm, no currents
Water Temp 75-80°F / 24-27°C Wetsuit Thickness 1
Water Visibility 60-80 Ft/ 18-24 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile ?
Enforced diving restrictions One of the popular wall dives is to 140 feet
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? no

What I Saw

Sharks None Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles None Whales None
Corals 5 stars Tropical Fish 5 stars
Small Critters 5 stars Large Fish 2 stars
Large Pelagics 1 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter 5 stars Boat Facilities 3 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 4 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments They have a wash tank at the marina.
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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