Explore Cienfuegos

Cienfuegos is a city that lies in the bay, Bahía de Cienfuegos, on the south coast of the island of Cuba. The city itself boasts stunning historical architecture, and underwater, there is some stunning natural architecture. The local dive centers will take divers to the many dive sites here, which lie between 10 meters/33 feet and 30 meters/98 feet from shore by speedboat. There is a fantastic collection of coral formations, wrecks, channels, tunnels, and more. All of these are accompanied by a wide array of marine species, which create pops of color in these clear waters.

Top Cienfuegos Dive Sites

Camerones I and II

These sites feature two small fishing boat wrecks intentionally sunk to form an artificial reef. Divers can explore vibrant marine flora and fauna here. The adventure level is easy, suitable for both scuba diving and freediving at depths of 10 to 25 meters/33 to 82 feet.

Punta Sabanilla

This reef dive site showcases a unique collection of corals, including gorgeous gorgonians. Channels run through the reef, hosting a diverse range of marine life. It offers an intermediate adventure level, perfect for both scuba and freediving enthusiasts.

Notre Dame

Known for its exhilarating cave diving experience, Notre Dame is not to be missed. The dive is considered advanced and is suitable exclusively for scuba diving due to its technical nature. The site features intricate cave formations.

Guajimico

Guajimico is popular for its colorful coral gardens and the variety of fish species. It offers an easy-to-intermediate adventure level, ideal for scuba diving. The site includes underwater formations and is part of a protected marine area.

Rancho Luna

This site is known for its diverse marine life, including turtles and vibrant coral reefs. It provides an easy diving experience, suitable for both scuba diving and freediving. Rancho Luna is also within a zone of ecological importance.

The best Months to dive in Cienfuegos

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 23°C–30°C/73°F–86°F.

Between November and April is the dry season, which is also the time of the year with the best, calmest, and warmest water conditions.

Top Wildlife Sightings in Cienfuegos

The reefs here are made up of different marine flora which together create coral gardens with different shapes, sizes, textures and colours. These reefs are made up of Sea Sponges, Hard Corals, Soft Corals, Anemones, Sea Fans and more. Species which divers are likely to spot include Green Eels, Moray Eels, Squirrelfish Triggerfish, Large Jewfish, Snappers, Shrimps, Lobsters, Crabs, Groupers, Parrotfish and many more species of reef fish. Some of the larger species include Sea Turtles, Eagle Rays and even the gentle giants of the sea; Whale Sharks.

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 approx.: 200

Moray Eel

Moray Eel

34 Sightings
J
3
F
1
M
1
A
4
M
0
J
1
J
12
A
3
S
0
O
3
N
2
D
4

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

Total number of species approx.: 27

Barracuda

Barracuda

22 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
3
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
8
A
0
S
0
O
2
N
6
D
2

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

Total number of species approx.: 300

Octopus

Octopus

11 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
5
A
4
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 approx.: 25

Eagle Ray

Eagle Ray

8 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
5
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 approx.: 100

Parrotfish

Parrotfish

23 Sightings
J
4
F
1
M
1
A
4
M
0
J
0
J
9
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
3

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

Total number of species approx.: 130

Butterfly Fish

Butterfly Fish

22 Sightings
J
6
F
1
M
1
A
4
M
0
J
0
J
6
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
3

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

Total number of species approx.: 90

Angelfish

Angelfish

21 Sightings
J
6
F
1
M
0
A
3
M
0
J
0
J
8
A
0
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 approx.: 85

Surgeonfish

Surgeonfish

21 Sightings
J
4
F
1
M
0
A
3
M
0
J
0
J
10
A
0
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 approx.: 150

Sweetlips and Grunts

Sweetlips and Grunts

14 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
0
A
3
M
0
J
0
J
7
A
0
S
0
O
1
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 approx.: 250

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

Total number of species approx.: 12

Lionfish

Lionfish

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

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

Total number of species approx.: 60

Soldierfish

Soldierfish

11 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
4
A
0
S
0
O
1
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 approx.: 40

Triggerfish

Triggerfish

11 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
4
A
0
S
0
O
1
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 approx.: 350

Damselfish

Damselfish

9 Sightings
J
3
F
0
M
0
A
3
M
0
J
0
J
1
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 approx.: 3

Trumpetfish

Trumpetfish

9 Sightings
J
2
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
5
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 approx.: 60

Squirrelfish

Squirrelfish

8 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
1
A
3
M
0
J
0
J
2
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 approx.: 7000

Crab

Crab

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

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

Total number of species approx.: 110

Snapper

Snapper

8 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
0
J
0
J
5
A
0
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 approx.: 25

Boxfish

Boxfish

7 Sightings
J
4
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
1
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 approx.: 80

Stingrays

Stingrays

6 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
2
J
4
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 approx.: 2

Tarpon

Tarpon

6 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
0
A
3
M
0
J
0
J
1
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 approx.: 130

Pufferfish

Pufferfish

6 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
3
A
0
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 approx.: 3400

Shrimp

Shrimp

5 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
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 approx.: 40

Jackfish

Jackfish

4 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
0
J
0
J
1
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 approx.: 90

Goatfish

Goatfish

4 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
3
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 approx.: 250

Scorpionfish

Scorpionfish

3 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
1
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 approx.: 60

Spiny Lobster

Spiny Lobster

3 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
2
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 approx.: 8

Bannerfish

Bannerfish

3 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
2
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 approx.: 80

Emperor

Emperor

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