Ecplore Cayo Coco

Cayo Coco is a tropical island located within the Jardines del Rey chain, off the north coast of Cuba, in the North Atlantic Ocean, known for its turquoise waters and white sandy beaches. There are numerous all-inclusive resorts on this island and many diving opportunities. There are numerous dive resorts and dive centers here, but there are also opportunities for divers to experience this area on a liveaboard. The clear waters here host an abundance of marine life attracted to the flourishing coral reefs, which extend over 40 kilometers/25 miles. Conservation of the reefs here is a top priority for locals, so dive guides also prioritize this when taking divers out. Here, divers can truly enjoy a plethora of different marine species of all sizes, surrounded by clear waters and colorful reefs in the background.

Dive Activity

Diving in Cayo Coco

The types of diving here revolve around the thriving coral reefs and high density of marine species. The topography of the large majority of the dive sites here revolve around reef plateaus, reef walls, coral pinnacles and more. There are also collections of tunnels, crevices and caves, which harbour many different species such as sharks. There are also dive sites with sandy bottoms. The dive sites are reached either by liveaboard, speedboat or directly from the shore. There are also a few shore dives which are ideal for night dives, and pretty much all dive sites are a dream destination for underwater photographers

Top Wildlife Sightings in Cayo Coco

There is a high abundance of species here which are attracted to the healthy, flourishing coral reefs, made up of Soft Corals, Brain Coral, Elkhorn Coral, Sea Fans, majestic Gorgonians and Sea Sponges of all shapes and colours. A few of the species which live among these reefs include large Snappers, Barracudas, Horse-eye Jacks, Crevalle Jacks, Grunts, Parrot Fish, Angel Fish, large Groupers and more. Some of the thrilling species which divers often hope to see include the graceful Eagle Rays and Stingrays and Sea Turtles. One of the main highlights of this area are the different species of Sharks including Reef Sharks and Nurse Sharks, some reaching up to 2 metre sharks. During different times of the year, there are other species of sharks present here also.

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 200

Moray Eel

34 Sightings
J
2
F
1
M
0
A
2
M
1
J
0
J
22
A
0
S
0
O
2
N
3
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 27

Barracuda

29 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
0
J
0
J
19
A
4
S
0
O
2
N
1
D
2

Green Turtle

21 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
0
J
0
J
18
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
2
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 25

Eagle Ray

19 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
0
J
0
J
18
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

Loggerhead Turtle

18 Sightings
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0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
18
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 12

Lionfish

36 Sightings
J
3
F
2
M
0
A
1
M
0
J
1
J
21
A
5
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 2

Nurse Shark

30 Sightings
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3
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
21
A
0
S
1
O
2
N
1
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 85

Surgeonfish

28 Sightings
J
3
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
2
J
19
A
2
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 130

Butterfly Fish

27 Sightings
J
3
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
0
J
2
J
19
A
2
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 90

Angelfish

26 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
0
J
2
J
18
A
2
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 100

Parrotfish

25 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
0
J
2
J
21
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 80

Stingrays

23 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
19
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 55

Lobster

23 Sightings
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0
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
19
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 250

Grouper/Basslets

21 Sightings
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0
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
0
J
0
J
20
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 28

Clownfish

21 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
0
J
1
J
18
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 60

Spiny Lobster

21 Sightings
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0
F
0
M
0
A
2
M
0
J
1
J
18
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 7000

Crab

21 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
18
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 90

Goatfish

20 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
2
J
18
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

Blacktip Reef Shark

19 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
18
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 25

Boxfish

19 Sightings
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0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
19
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3

Trumpetfish

19 Sightings
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0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
19
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

Silky Shark

18 Sightings
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0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
18
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 7

Crocodile

18 Sightings
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0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
18
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 2

Tarpon

18 Sightings
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0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
18
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 40

Triggerfish

18 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
18
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 120

Flounder

18 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
18
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

Moon Jellyfish

18 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
18
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

Marine Iguana

18 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
18
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 150

Sweetlips and Grunts

4 Sightings
J
3
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

Lemon Shark

3 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
0

Grey Reef Shark

3 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
2
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 40

Jackfish

2 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 250

Scorpionfish

2 Sightings
J
0
F
2
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 110

Snapper

2 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
0

The best Months to dive in Cayo Coco

What enhances the beauty of diving in Jardines de la Reina is the crystal-clear water; with visibility averaging around 30 meters/98 feet, the calm waters as there is a real lack of currents here, and the warm waters. The water temperatures here range between 26°C–29°C/79°F–84°F. Between November and April is the dry season, which is also the time of the year with the best, calmest, and warmest waters.

Dive Sites