

Best for beginner divers, 5-35m, boat entry, mild current.
Maria la Gorda features a diverse underwater landscape including reefs, walls, wrecks, caves, and canyons. Located 500 metres offshore, this site is accessible by boat and offers depths ranging from 5 to 35 metres. Visibility is high, typically between 20 and 50 metres, with water temperatures between 27 and 30C. Divers may encounter wrasses, fairy basslet, great barracuda, rock beauty, and various reef fish. The site includes overhead environments within the caves and wreck, where guided tours are recommended to manage navigational complexity and entanglement risks. While currents are generally mild, conditions can shift, requiring careful buoyancy control.
21.82610, -84.49300
The on-site dive shop offers guided tours, which are strongly recommended for the cave and wreck sections where an overhead environment adds real navigational complexity, even for calm, confident beginners. All fills and rental gear are available at the resort, so you can travel light.
Located in the Guanahacabibes peninsula, Pinar del Rio province, 4.5 hours drive from Havana.
Recorded at this site
Depth
5-35m
Visibility
20-50m
Skill Level
Beginner
Entry
Boat
Boat required
Water Temp
27-30°C
Current
Mild
Best Time
Year-round
Divers regularly record species including wrasses, fairy basslet, great barracuda, rock beauty, Indian lionfish, black durgeon, smooth trunkfish, foureye butterfly fish, porcupinefish, drum and croaker, Caribbean ocean surgeonfish, stoplight parrotfish, lettuce sea slug, and blue tang.
Yes, the site is suitable for beginners, though guided tours are strongly recommended for the cave and wreck sections due to the overhead environment and navigational complexity.
Depths at this site range from 5 to 35 metres, with an average depth of 25 metres.
All diving at Maria la Gorda is conducted via boat, with the site located approximately 500 metres from the shore.
The site is primarily a dive location accessed by boat, and the depth range and overhead environments are best suited for scuba diving.
Diving at Maria La Gorda in Sandino requires the following certifications: Diving Certification Or Log Book. Always dive within your training limits.
Yes, equipment rental is available at or near Maria La Gorda in Sandino. Contact local dive operators for specific gear availability and prices.
A rashguard or 2mm shorty is recommended for diving at Maria La Gorda in Sandino. Water temperatures range from 27°C to 30°C.
The best months to visit Maria La Gorda in Sandino are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, and December. Conditions outside these months can still be good but are less predictable.
Divers at Maria La Gorda in Sandino should be aware of sharks, lionfish. These encounters are generally rare and avoidable with proper awareness. Follow local safety guidance and maintain a respectful distance from all marine life.
Maria La Gorda in Sandino typically has mild currents that most divers can handle comfortably.
Visibility at Maria La Gorda in Sandino typically ranges from 20 metres to 50 metres. Conditions vary with weather, tides, and seasons.