Guardalavaca sits on the South East coast of Cuba, 45 minutes away from the local international airport, Holguin.  A small resort, with less than a dozen hotels, Guardalavaca offers exceptional beaches, a quiet pace of life, and quality resort diving.  Our recommended hotels here sit on the beach, just a short walk or speedboat ride away from the dive centre, Marlin Eagle Ray Dive Centre.  Our other luxury hotels are within 10 minutes of the dive centre. 

 

Whilst this is not a big resort by any stretch, there is plenty to do – our staff in Guardalavaca can arrange anything for you from bike hire to a day trip into the local countryside, seeing authentic cigar factories, working farms and ranches.  The ‘Heart of Cuba' tour is highly recommended – particularly if horse riding in the hills, a hog roast, salsa dancing with the locals or driving a small speedboat whet your appetite.

 

The pool and beach scene is what you want to make of it.  As active as you want with all the water sports, or as quiet as you like... huge stretches of powder soft sand provide a quiet space. The sea is calm, crystal clear and warm and perfect for snorkelling too.

 

The diving? Great resort diving. Nothing over-challenging, no ripping currents, but beautiful reefs and soft coral gardens full of macro life and schooling reef fish. Expect turtles, sting rays of considerable size, occasional nurse sharks and barracuda, with free swimming morays and friendly grouper that follow you for the duration of your dive! Its like taking the dogs for a walk!  For the more experienced and adventurous diver, there is an inland cave system nearby that is well worth visiting too.