Diving & Other Watersports
With long, pristine stretches of coral reef, and warm, crystal-clear waters, the cays are one of the best diving spots on the planet. There are a couple of dozen dive sites, including five superior sites easily accessible from the cays, which range in depth from 5 to 40m (16-131 ft.). All the hotels on Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo can organize diving excursions, but you may wish to directly consult one of the main outfits, like Blue Diving (tel. 33/30-8180 or 33/30-8179), which has a dive center at the Meliá Cayo Coco, right on the beach. They offer certified programs, several dive packages to choose from, international licensing courses, and diving excursions to Playa Santa Lucía and Trinidad. A two-tank dive is CUC$80 (US$86/£43), including equipment.
Most of the hotels have their own catamarans, sailboards, and other vehicles and facilities for watersports; kite surfing and paragliding are also possible. Cubanacán Náutica on Cayo Coco (tel. 33/30-1221 or 33/30-1411) has a wide range of watersports programs, including "seafari" catamaran trips to Paredón Grande, east of Cayo Coco; glass-bottom boat trips out to the coral reef with opportunities for snorkeling; and a complement of kayaks and windsurfing boards. The Marlin Marina on Cayo Guillermo (tel. 33/30-1737/1323) has a six-vessel pier and similar capabilities and facilities, including diving and sportfishing trips. Full-day catamaran trips run about CUC$75 (US$81/£41) per person; half-day trips are CUC$40 (US$43/£22). An hour-long glass-bottom boat trip is just CUC$20 (US$22/£11).
Boat Adventure (tel. 33/30-1516) offers small speedboat trips (self-driven, with a guide) through a maze of mangrove canals, marshes, and wetlands of Cayo Guillermo, a scenic trip with stops for snorkeling. There are four departures daily; the cost is CUC$41 (US$44/£22) per person.
Time for Some Pampering
Although nowhere near as opulent as many modern spas, the new Acuavida Centro Spa-Talaso (tel. 33/30-215; www.servimedcuba.com) offers a wide range of massage and spa treatments. Options range from mud baths and seaweed scrubs to full-body massages and a host of water-based treatments. The large facility has five pools in a range of sizes and temperatures. Some are freshwater pools, while others take advantage of the neighboring seawater. There's a salon on the premises, as well as a small medical facility.
