Dive Site: Las Coloradas

About Las Coloradas

Las Coloradas, nestled within the Jardines del Rey archipelago, is a renowned dive site offering a spectacular showcase of Caribbean marine life. This area, particularly around Cayo Coco, is celebrated for its pristine white sandy beaches and thriving coral reefs. Unlike some deeper sites in the region, Las Coloradas remains relatively shallow, providing excellent conditions for observation of numerous juvenile species that flourish here. The underwater topography at Las Coloradas features extensive coral reefs teeming with soft corals, sponges, and grand gorgonians. These formations create a dynamic habitat for a diverse array of fish. The site's depth profile, generally ranging from 12 to 20 meters, makes it accessible and enjoyable for divers of varying experience levels. Marine life sightings are consistently rich, featuring a wide variety of reef fish that contribute to the site's vibrant underwater ecosystem. The mild currents often present here make it an ideal location for drift diving, allowing divers to effortlessly glide along the reef and observe the abundant flora and fauna. Visibility is frequently excellent, often extending up to 20-30 meters, enhancing the overall dive experience. Las Coloradas is particularly popular for underwater photography due to its clear waters, manageable depths, and the sheer volume of colorful subjects. Dive operations typically originate from all-inclusive resorts in the Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo areas, offering convenient two-tank excursions to this and other nearby sites in Jardines del Rey.

Dive site facts: Las Coloradas

Depth

12–20 m

Typical dive

12–20 m, 45–60 min

Current

Mild

Visibility

20–30 m

Water temperature

25–29°C

Entry

Boat

Level

Beginner to Advanced

Dive type

Reef, drift, photography

Night dive

Possible

Region / port

Jardines del Rey, Cayo Coco

Coordinates

22.655, -78.425

Conditions & Currents

Las Coloradas typically experiences mild currents, making it a comfortable site for most divers. These gentle flows often facilitate enjoyable drift dives, where you can relax and allow the current to carry you along the reef, observing the marine life with minimal effort. Visibility is consistently excellent, often ranging from 20 to 30 meters, providing clear views of the vibrant corals and abundant fish. The water temperature is generally warm, ranging from 25°C to 29°C, ensuring comfortable conditions even during longer dives. Entry is typically via boat, and the mild conditions usually allow for straightforward entry and exit procedures, contributing to a relaxed dive experience suitable for various skill levels.

Marine life & sighting chances

Snapper

common

Grouper

common

Barracuda

occasional

Nurse Shark

occasional

Eagle Ray

rare

Soft Corals

common

Sponges

common

Gorgonian Fans

common

Reef Fish (various species)

common

Juvenile Fish

common

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Your dive at Las Coloradas typically begins with a boat entry, dropping directly onto the reef. Given the mild current, many dives here are drift dives, allowing you to go with the flow along the reef. The route generally follows the reef structure, maintaining depths between 12 and 20 meters, where the most vibrant corals and fish life are found. You will spend your dive observing the abundant juvenile marine life, diverse soft corals, and gorgonian fans that populate the area. The turn point is determined by the dive guide based on current and gas consumption, ensuring you remain within no-decompression limits. The safety stop is usually conducted at 5 meters, often still over the reef or in a shallower sandy area, before ascending to the surface for a boat pickup.

Underwater photography

Las Coloradas is an exceptional site for underwater photography, particularly for wide-angle and macro shots due to its clear waters and rich biodiversity. A wide-angle lens is ideal for capturing the expansive coral formations and schooling fish, while a macro lens will allow you to focus on the many juvenile species and intricate reef details. The consistent excellent visibility, often reaching 20-30 meters, reduces backscatter, making it easier to achieve sharp, clear images. Bring external strobes to bring out the true colors of the corals and fish, especially in the shallower depths where light penetration is excellent. Patience and good buoyancy control are crucial to avoid disturbing the delicate reef and marine inhabitants, ensuring you capture stunning, respectful shots.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Jaula I & II

  Advanced sites for deeper dives, known for snappers, groupers, barracudas, and nurse sharks.

• Punta Perdiz

  A beautiful wall dive accessible from the shore in the Bay of Pigs region.

• Pipin

  A wall dive with coral canyons and caves, offering encounters with jacks, turtles, and silky sharks.

• Farallón

  Features impressive coral formations and tunnels, often with large groupers and reef sharks.

• Black Coral Wall

  Known for abundant black coral colonies, gorgonians, and a resident population of reef sharks.

Getting there & logistics

To reach Las Coloradas, international travelers typically fly into Jardines del Rey (CCC) International Airport, which serves the Cayo Coco region. This airport offers stress-free travel directly into the heart of the archipelago. Dive excursions to Las Coloradas generally depart from all-inclusive resorts on Cayo Coco or Cayo Guillermo, where dive centers operate. Most dive packages include transfers from your resort to the dive boat. Trips are typically two-tank dives, lasting a half-day. There are usually no additional park fees for diving this site, as it's often included in the resort's dive offerings. It's common for itineraries in Jardines del Rey to combine Las Coloradas with other nearby reef sites, providing a varied dive experience within the same day.

Safety & environment

Diving at Las Coloradas is generally considered safe due to its shallow depths, mild currents, and good visibility. However, standard dive safety practices are always essential. Divers should maintain excellent buoyancy control to protect the fragile coral ecosystems and avoid contact with marine life. Ensure you dive within your certification limits and always follow your dive guide's instructions. While specific information on the nearest recompression chamber for Cayo Coco is not readily available, emergency medical facilities exist on the island. It is crucial to have comprehensive dive insurance that covers medical emergencies and potential evacuation, as larger medical centers would be in mainland Cuba, requiring air or ground transport. Always check your gear thoroughly before each dive and perform buddy checks.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Las Coloradas FAQ

Liveaboards diving Las Coloradas

These liveaboards may visit Las Coloradas on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

Jardines Avalon Fleet

Cuba

20 guests35.05 m

$494/day