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Where nature and adventure meet.
Matanzas Province is one of Cuba’s most beautiful coastal regions, home to Varadero, turquoise water, and colorful coral reefs that attract divers from all over the world. Whether you’re trying scuba for the first time or you already hold a certification, the reefs here offer warm water, relaxed conditions, and wonderful marine life.
As local dive guides, we spend our days exploring these underwater landscapes and these are five of our favorite coral reef dive sites in Matanzas Province.
Each one has something special to offer 💙
Perfect for: beginners, Discover Scuba, snorkelers
Playa Coral is one of the most famous reef areas near Varadero and for good reason. Just a short distance from shore, you’ll find bright coral formations, schools of tropical reef fish, and calm, shallow water that’s ideal for first time divers.
Many guests experience their very first dive here and leave smiling from ear to ear.
Highlights
•Gentle entry & shallow depth
•Relaxed conditions
•Colorful corals & sponges
•Perfect for underwater photography
•Suitable for beginners & families
This reef proves that you don’t need deep water to see beautiful marine life.
Visit our full guide: 👉 Playa Coral – Varadero
Perfect for: peaceful reef dives & scenic coastline lovers
Located near Cuba’s highest bridge, Bacunayagua Reef combines dramatic scenery above water with calm, clear diving below. The reef slopes gently downward, with sandy patches and coral heads that attract a rich variety of fish.
It feels quiet, natural, and truly Cuban — away from the busier tourist areas.
Expect to see
🐠 parrotfish
🐟 grunts
🦞
lobsters
🌿 waving sea fans
It’s one of our favorite places to take guests who want a relaxed, nature-focused dive.
Learn more here: 👉Bacunayagua Dive Site
Perfect for: divers who enjoy peaceful exploration
Just outside the entrance to Matanzas Bay lie several lesser known coral garden areas that local divers absolutely love. When weather conditions allow, these reefs offer calm water, soft light, and beautiful coral structures with plenty of marine life.
They’re not crowded which means you often feel like you have the reef to yourself.
This is Cuba at its most authentic.
Perfect for: certified divers wanting something extra
Some boat dives off the northern coast of Varadero offer access to gentle reef walls and ledges. These are not extreme or technical, just slightly deeper environments that allow certified divers to glide along coral covered drop offs full of life.
Think:
✨ sponges
✨ soft corals
✨ schooling fish
✨ peaceful blue water
It’s the kind of dive that reminds you why you fell in love with the ocean.
Perfect for: Discover Scuba & skill-building
Scattered along the Hicacos Peninsula are calm shallow reef areas perfect for training and Discover Scuba experiences. With sandy patches leading into coral formations, they offer a gentle introduction to buoyancy and underwater movement.
These reefs are where many new divers breathe underwater for the very first time a moment they never forget.
Even on shallow dives, it’s common to encounter:
🐠 parrotfish
🐟 blue tang &
surgeonfish
🐡 trumpetfish
🦞 lobsters
🦈 sometimes small, distant reef sharks
🐢 and occasionally turtles
Every dive is different and that’s the magic of the ocean.
We encourage respectful diving, read more in 👉 A Diver’s Guide to Protection.
Diving here is possible year round, thanks to:
✔ warm tropical water
✔ good visibility
✔
mild seasonal changes
Certain months offer extra calm seas or slightly warmer temperatures.
Learn more in: 👉 Best Time of Year to Dive in Cuba
Local knowledge makes all the difference.
We know:
🌊 which reefs are best for the day’s conditions
🦺 how to plan safe, relaxed
dives
🌿 how to protect fragile ecosystems
🤿 and how to make beginners feel comfortable
Safe, small group, eco responsible diving is at the heart of what we do.
Exploring the coral reefs of Matanzas Province is truly special and we feel lucky to call these waters home. Whether you’re brand new to scuba diving or already certified, our friendly local team would love to guide you through Cuba’s underwater world.
If you’d like to join us for a dive:
👉 Tell us your dates, experience level & location
👉 And we’ll help you choose the perfect reef
We’re always happy to answer questions no pressure, just ocean passion 🌊
See you underwater.