潜点: Avalon

关于 Avalon

Avalon refers to the liveaboard operations that provide exclusive access to Cuba's Jardines de la Reina (Gardens of the Queen) marine park. This vast archipelago, named by Christopher Columbus, stretches for 150 km parallel to the Cuban mainland, encompassing approximately 2,170 km² of pristine marine environment. Since its establishment as a marine reserve in 1996 and later a national park in 2010, the area has been meticulously protected, prohibiting commercial fishing and limiting human impact to preserve its exceptional biodiversity. Diving here reveals a world of healthy reefs, characterized by vertical walls adorned with a rich tapestry of corals and sponges. Depths typically range from 16 meters, where a mini-wall begins, extending down to 27 meters before sloping gently to 38-42 meters. These underwater landscapes provide habitats for an astonishing array of marine life, including numerous shark species and unusually large, fearless groupers. The marine park's robust health is evident in its thriving populations of apex predators and large reef fish. Divers consistently encounter Caribbean reef sharks and silky sharks, often during nearly every dive. The presence of immense goliath groupers, many weighing between 36-54 kg, which exhibit a remarkable lack of fear towards divers, underscores the effectiveness of the protection measures. This environment offers a unique glimpse into what Caribbean reefs looked like before widespread human impact. Access to Jardines de la Reina is strictly controlled, primarily through liveaboard operations like Avalon. This regulated tourism ensures that dive sites remain uncrowded, with often only one boat present at a site at any given time. The experience combines pristine natural beauty with significant encounters with large marine species, making it a premier destination for conservation-minded divers.