Explore Guardalavaca

Guardalavaca is a resort town located on the north eastern coast of the island of Cuba. It is known for its long stretches of white sandy beaches which have a dense collection of coral reefs just offshore. If reefs are not a divers main interest then they can also explore the handful of wrecks, including a tank wreck, caves, steep drop offs and other rocky topography, which all still feature a high amount of marine life. The local dive centres and dive resorts will take divers out to see the best of what these waters have to offer.

Dive Activity

Diving in Guardalavaca

With around 22 dive sites, there is a lot of choice when it comes to the different types of diving that can be done. One of the main types of diving is wall diving, there are an exciting collection here of different depths and steepness. Other types of dives include shallow reef dives, tunnels and caves. There are also some dive sites which cater perfectly to dive courses, night dives and for underwater photographers.

Top Wildlife Sightings in Guardalavaca

The coral reefs are made up of a wide variety of corals, which are definitely the foundation of why there is such a dense amount of marine life in these waters. The coral reefs feature species such as many Soft Corals, many Hard Corals, Sea Sponges of all shapes and sizes, stunning Gorgonians, Sea Fans and much more. Some of the species attracted to these reefs include Crustaceans such as Lobsters, Crabs and Shrimp, Octopus, Groupers, Snappers, Barracuda and Jacks. Among many species of smaller reef fish which congregate in large, colourful schools.

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: 27

Barracuda

16 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
2
A
0
M
0
J
5
J
1
A
1
S
1
O
0
N
5
D
1

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

Total number of species: 200

Moray Eel

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

Great Hammerhead Shark

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

Bull Shark

2 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
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

2 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
1
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: 12

Lionfish

32 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
2
A
5
M
0
J
3
J
3
A
1
S
1
O
0
N
10
D
6

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

Total number of species: 7000

Crab

18 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
5
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
11
D
2

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

Total number of species: 100

Parrotfish

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

12 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
2
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
2
O
0
N
6
D
1

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

Total number of species: 90

Angelfish

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

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

Total number of species: 60

Spiny Lobster

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

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

Total number of species: 130

Butterfly Fish

7 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
2
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
4
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

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

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

Total number of species: 60

Soldierfish

4 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
2
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: 350

Damselfish

4 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
1
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: 3

Trumpetfish

4 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
2
M
0
J
0
J
0
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: 8

Bannerfish

4 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
2
M
0
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
1
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

Nurse Shark

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

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

Total number of species: 250

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

Total number of species: 40

Triggerfish

3 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
0
J
0
J
1
A
0
S
1
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

Goatfish

3 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
2
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
1
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

Cornetfish

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

Great White Shark

2 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
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: 10

Sawshark

2 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
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: 7

Pygmy Seahorse

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

Common Seahorse

2 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
2
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
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
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: 130

Pufferfish

2 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
2
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: 3400

Shrimp

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

The best Months to dive in Guardalavaca

One of the best features of diving here is the incredibly clear water. The visibility here ranges between 20 meters/66 feet and 40 meters/131 feet on average. Between November and April is the dry season, which is also the time of the year with the best, calmest, and warmest water conditions. The average water temperature here is 25°C/77°F, with it ranging between 23°C/73°F and 29°C/84°F throughout the year.

Dive Sites