Watersports in Cuba

Whether you want to go diving, windsurfing or kiteboarding, Cuba is paradise.

Fans of watersports are spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing the destination for an active break in Cuba. Varadero attracts package tourists in droves, but it also happens to be a great spot for diving and snorkeling. For those that want to spend time in the water and also enjoy some nightlife, it is a good spot.

Anyone who prefers to get off the beaten track is better off making the trip to the south coast near the Bay of Pigs, where the sheltered waters make for amazing diving and snorkeling. The National Diving Center at Playa Giron is a top choice. Further west lies Maria la Gorda, a few hours drive from Havana through the verdant countryside near Vinales. If you’d rather visit the east of the island, head to Holguin province.

Windsurfers and kitesurfers should check out Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo, which tend to have better winds. Cayo Coco is also good for surfing, as are Playas del Este near Havana and Gibara. In the east of the island, Baracoa is also popular among surfers.

Be aware if you don’t bring your own gear, equipment may be limited in terms of quality, but it’s all part of the experience of doing watersports in a country that remains under embargo by the United States.