Dive Site: Paraiso Perdido

About Paraiso Perdido

Paraiso Perdido is an advanced dive site located off Maria la Gorda on the remote Guanahacabibes Peninsula in western Cuba. It is renowned for its dramatic wall diving along a pristine reef drop-off that plunges into the deep Caribbean Sea, making it a highlight among the more than thirty dive sites in the area. The topography is characterized by spectacular wall formations, beginning at approximately 30 meters, adorned with massive black coral trees, giant gorgonian fans, and an array of sponges in striking reds, purples, and oranges. The reef also features numerous interesting holes and crevices that provide shelter for diverse marine life, with dense sponge and fan growth increasing closer to the wall. While currents can be moderate to strong, they often attract larger marine creatures. Divers frequently encounter reef sharks, eagle rays, barracuda, and groupers patrolling the wall. Visibility at the site is consistently excellent, often exceeding 20 meters, and water temperatures are warm year-round, typically ranging from 27°C to 31°C. Due to its depth and the potential for strong currents, Paraiso Perdido is best suited for advanced divers. Access is typically via boat from the Maria la Gorda dive center, which is located on a white sandy beach. The site is a popular choice for those seeking untouched deep reef environments.

Dive site facts: Paraiso Perdido

Depth

18–30 m

Typical dive

Not specified

Current

Moderate to strong

Visibility

18–30 m

Water temperature

27–31°C

Entry

Boat dive

Level

Advanced

Dive type

Wall, reef, megafauna

Night dive

Not specified

Region / port

Maria la Gorda, Pinar del Río

Coordinates

21.7157° N, 80.3606° W

Conditions & Currents

Paraiso Perdido is known for potentially strong currents, which can be a defining feature of the dive experience. These currents are often beneficial, as they attract larger pelagic species such as tuna, rays, and barracudas to the wall. Divers should be prepared for varying current strengths, which may necessitate advanced buoyancy control and drift diving techniques. The currents are moderate during much of the year, but can intensify, particularly during certain tides or weather patterns. Entry is always by boat, and the dive operation at Maria la Gorda includes a medical doctor who monitors diver health, including blood pressure, before dives. Visibility at the site is consistently high, typically ranging from 18 to 30 meters, contributing to safe navigation even with currents.

Marine life & sighting chances

Black coral trees

common

Gorgonian fans

common

Sponges (red, purple, orange)

common

Large groupers

occasional

Barracuda

occasional

Reef sharks

occasional

Eagle rays

occasional

Sea turtles

occasional

Moray eels

occasional

Lobsters

occasional

Tarpon

occasional

Blue chromis

common

Angelfish

common

Snappers

common

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Diving at Paraiso Perdido typically involves a boat entry to the site, which is located approximately 18 to 30 meters from the Maria la Gorda dive center. The dive usually begins by descending along the dramatic wall that starts at about 30 meters. Divers follow the wall, exploring its extensive formations of black coral, gorgonian fans, and vibrant sponges, which provide shelter for various reef fish and invertebrates. The route often involves drifting with the current, which can bring pelagic species into view. Turnaround is typically dictated by air consumption and no-decompression limits, allowing ample time for exploration. The ascent is gradual, often following sandy channels to shallower reef areas, where the safety stop is performed, usually at 5 meters. The site is known for its excellent visibility, aiding in navigation and observation throughout the dive.

Underwater photography

Paraiso Perdido offers fantastic opportunities for wide-angle photography due to its dramatic wall topography, extensive black coral formations, and impressive gorgonian fans. A fisheye or wide-angle rectilinear lens would best capture the scale of the wall and the vibrant sponge ecosystems. For larger marine life such as reef sharks, barracuda, and eagle rays, a wide-angle setup is also ideal. Strobes are essential to bring out the true colors of the corals and sponges at depth. Excellent buoyancy control is critical, especially when photographing close to the delicate wall structures and in potential currents. While macro subjects like moray eels and lobsters hide in crevices, the site's highlight is its expansive reefscape and large pelagic encounters, making it more suited for capturing the grand scene.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Ancla del Pirata

  A shallow site featuring an 18th-century pirate anchor, suitable for beginners.

• Salón de María

  A cave dive with three entrances, rich in sponges and corals, accessible by boat.

• Las Cuevas de Bebo

  Beginner-friendly site with shallow overhangs and small cave formations.

• El Almirante

  A wall dive reaching 90+ feet, known for huge sponges, gorgonians, and black coral.

• El Jardin de la Gorgonia

  A beginner-friendly site with abundant gorgonian fans and reef fish.

Getting there & logistics

Paraiso Perdido is accessed via the Maria la Gorda International Diving Center, located at the Hotel Maria la Gorda on Cuba's Guanahacabibes Peninsula. Transfers from Havana to Maria la Gorda typically take about 5 to 5.5 hours by bus or rental car, traversing through scenic tobacco and banana plantations. Divers often combine several days of diving in Maria la Gorda with a stay in Havana. The dive center, well-equipped with tanks and rental gear, offers daily boat dives. Although no specific permits are mentioned for Paraiso Perdido, divers should ensure their travel to Cuba complies with all regulations. The hotel provides accommodation and amenities, with dive packages arranged through tour operators or directly with the center.

Safety & environment

Diving at Paraiso Perdido requires advanced certification and experience, primarily due to the depth and potential for moderate to strong currents. The Maria la Gorda dive center is equipped with medical kits, oxygen, and radios on its dive boats. A medical doctor is reportedly on-site, conducting blood pressure checks before dives to ensure diver fitness, a practice noted in reviews from 1999. While specific recompression chamber locations are not detailed for this remote region, divers should always carry comprehensive dive insurance that covers emergency medical treatment and evacuation. Given the remote location, evacuation to a major medical facility could be lengthy. Divers must adhere to responsible diving practices, maintain excellent buoyancy, and follow the dive guide's instructions, especially regarding current management and dive profiles.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Paraiso Perdido FAQ

Liveaboards diving Paraiso Perdido

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

Jardines Avalon Fleet

Cuba

20 guests35.05 m

$494/day