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The last I had heard there was still a travel embargo to Cuba and it is illegal for U.S. citizens to travel there. It would be nice to know if that has changed.
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Research is still allowed but beware of a Canadian company that takes your travel money and then doesn’t deliver, since it’s illegal travel you can not take them to court.
If you are flying there from outside the US ask Cuban costoms not to stamp your US passport!
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Yeah, I will fly from Tampa to Cancun then got a flight from http://www.cubatravelnetwork.com had to pay in Euros though. From what I read it has some great diving there.
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I don’t know WHY ANYONE would go around this travel restriction to dive in the caribbean. It’s all the same water. you will be in an unfriendly foriegn country with no recourse or help from US authority should you get rung-up for some dumb reason. Not to mention any US charges you might face. Why not just jump on to a subway track? You don’t even have to travel there for great medical care now that there is Obahma care here in the US.
The obvoius having been stated there is a Sandals Resort in Cuba. I guess they have diving included fro guests.
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Not just going there just to dive, although I thought it would be cool. Plan on staying in hostels and some casa particulars. Not really into the resorts too much.
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"Will be renting all gear of course." I knew someone who went there, weight belt was ballest rocks picked from the bottom of the boat duct taped to it, trip was delayed because of compressor problems, reef trips are deffinetly on island time so I’m guessing equipment PM is too!
I would seriously consider picking up a reg from a LDS before going! If not new then last years rental or a trade in. North East Scuba Supply in Norristown Pa. has used rebuilt o2 clean regs on it’s website. I’m using one on my stage bottle.
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bobm - 1/28/2013 2:35 PM 
Don’t listen to the b.s. U. S. propaganda. It has "never" been illegal for Americans to go to Cuba, and is unquestionably the safest country in the caribbean to travel in. But go now , they are on the brink of government change and this will be your last chance to see the Cuba of the Castro revolution. There are millionaires and billionaires lined up just waiting to pounce and it will change Cuba forever. returning Cuba to the playground of the affluent. It will become too expensive for the regular joe.
For now there are pristine reefs and coral walls unblemished because of the small number of divers. Stay away from the North (varedero etc) as March has windy conditions and rough seas.
Best accessible (shore) diving is on the south at the Bay of Pigs. Which have shore shops catering to divers.I take my own diving equipment but from what I have seen the rental stuff is top notch, unlike rocks tied to nets (for weights) as some would have you believe. Although some would have you believe they are ignorant third world extremists, the Cuban people are very friendly and happy. They boast the highest literacy rate in the world, and have extremely high education, safety and health care values and facilities.
Because of the lack of infrastructure there are thousands of sites just waiting to be explored, especially around the southern isles, if you can rent a boat.
Go for it............ Cuba is a divers paradise, hidden from ordinary Americans by self serving bureaucrats
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Thank for the replies everyone. I have been doing my homework both online and via several travel guides. I’m definitely planing on hitting up Varedero, pics look awesome! Also plan on checking out Isla de la Juventud. I personally think it will be an interesting adventure, not just the diving but meeting people and exploring the island. Cuba has a lot of history both good and bad, like many other countries around the world. I will post reviews and pics when I return.
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Bobm and iliketurtles, I was just reading you comments re: Cuba. I would like to go to Cuba also, mainly to see the country before it gets ruined when the restrictions are lifted. Diving would be a plus. I am very interested in how you are accomplishing the travel. I go to Grand Cayman every year and have thought about trying to get to Cuba from there. At any rate I am looking forward to hearing about the trip that iliketurtles is taking. Regarding the post from bobm, it seems that you have made this trip a few times and am interested in how you accomplished the trips.
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Made it back from Cuba, no problems. Had a really great time. Unfortunately I didn’t get a chance to dive. Hopefully next time! Stayed in a hostel for 5 days, around 5 US dollars a night in Havana. The other 2 days I stayed in a casa particular in a small town called Vinales around 20 a night, 2 queen beds quite and very nice. The owner cooked me breakfast and dinner each night and it was excellent. Smoked a lot of cigars and meet a lot of really nice/cool people.
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