A Diver’s Guide to Protection

Cuba’s coral reefs are legendary. They feature:

•Over 500 species of fish

•Black coral forests

•Massive barrel sponges

•Colorful hard and soft corals

Thanks to decades of lower industrial pressure and strong marine protection measures, Cuba’s reefs remain unusually healthy compared to much of the Caribbean.

Even healthy reefs face challenges:

•Rising water temperatures → coral bleaching

•Plastic pollution

•Poor buoyancy from divers

•Overfishing in some regions

•Chemical sunscreen

You can directly protect coral reefs by:

•Maintaining perfect buoyancy

•Avoiding touching or kicking coral

•Using reef-safe sunscreen

•Taking only pictures, leaving only bubbles

•Choosing eco-certified dive centers (like Scuba Vida)

Varadero and the northern coast offer habitat to three species:

•Green turtle

•Loggerhead turtle

•Hawksbill turtle (critically endangered)

These species rely on clean beaches, healthy reefs, and low light pollution.

🛟 How divers and travelers can protect sea turtles

•Keep respectful distance underwater

•Never touch turtles

•Avoid bright lights on nesting beaches

•Do not buy shells or souvenirs

Cuba is famous for its shark populations, especially bull sharks, which attract divers from around the world.

Sharks play a key role:

•They regulate fish populations

•Keep reefs balanced

•Indicate a healthy ecosystem

🔗 Related Scuba Vida Adventures

Cuba is home to one of the largest marine protected area networks in the Caribbean, including:

•Jardines de la Reina

•Península de Guanahacabibes

•Coral reefs near Camagüey and Santa Lucía

Strong conservation laws and limited industrial development have helped preserve ecosystems that have declined elsewhere.

Every diver has the power to protect the ocean.

•Use reusable water bottles

•Avoid plastic bags during travel

•Keep fins off the bottom

•Pick up small trash items during your dive

•Choose small-group operators (like Scuba Vida!)

•Respect all marine life — no touching, chasing, or feeding

At Scuba Vida Dive Center, protecting the ocean isn’t optional — it is a responsibility.

•🌊 Small diving groups to minimize ecological impact

•🐠 Zero-touch diving policies

•🪸 Training students to protect the reef from day one

•♻️ Reducing plastic use at the dive center

•🔍 Promoting local conservation knowledge

•🛟 Supporting ocean clean-ups in Varadero and Matanzas Bay

•📚 Educating visitors on Cuba’s marine ecosystems

•🧜 Choosing dive sites responsibly based on conditions

•🚫 No feeding or provoking marine life

We aim to ensure that future generations can still enjoy the incredible ocean we enjoy today.

If you dive with us, you become part of this mission.

Healthy oceans support:

•Fisheries

•Tourism

•Climate stability

•Food security

•Biodiversity

By protecting Cuba’s underwater world, we help protect the planet.

Whether you are diving reefs, meeting sea turtles, or exploring Varadero’s iconic bull shark sites, your actions matter.

At Scuba Vida Dive Center, we invite you to dive responsibly, learn more, and help preserve Cuba’s incredible marine life.

👉 Explore our eco-friendly dive experiences: