CubaPLUS Magazine

Cuba boasts many renowned coastal destinations with exceptional qualities for nature and ocean lovers, including Punta Perdiz and several spots along Playa Girón.  

For nature-loving travelers, the sea offers a unique blend of beauty, recreation, and discovery. Cuba features a variety of settings for these experiences—some world-famous, others delightfully surprising, like Punta Perdiz.  

Located in the western region of the island, it offers the distinct advantage of shore diving, providing direct access to fascinating underwater landscapes without needing a boat, much like other prime locations along Playa Girón.  

Punta Perdiz is home to an international diving center on the southern coast of Matanzas province, within the famous Ciénaga de Zapata, offering a wide array of excursions throughout the region.  

The Ciénaga de Zapata is widely recognized by scientists as the most important wetland in Cuba and the insular Caribbean. It holds triple international recognition as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, a National Park, and a designated Ramsar Site.  

The area features high levels of endemism and an exceptional degree of preservation, encompassing the Bay of Pigs (Bahía de Cochinos), known for its ecological stability and spectacular karst formations.  

Beyond its ecological credentials, the area is a haven for open-water diving as well as cave diving (espeleobuceo) in brackish, flooded caves connected to the vast cave-and-lake system of the Ciénaga de Zapata.  

Reaching Punta Perdiz is straightforward: it is a 172-kilometer drive from Havana, 115 kilometers from the Varadero resort area, or 85 kilometers from the southern city of Cienfuegos—all major hubs in Cuban geography.  

The surrounding region is equipped with cozy coastal hotels tailored for marine activities, particularly in Playa Girón and Playa Larga, alongside several international diving centers, including those at Playa Girón, Playa Larga, Caleta Buena, and Punta Perdiz itself.  

Diving enthusiasts of all levels—from seasoned experts to complete beginners—receive attentive service at Punta Perdiz, even on day trips.  

The center offers certified courses including Open Water and Instructor levels, as well as guided dives under expert supervision, either with scuba tanks or simply with a mask and snorkel.  

What truly sets Punta Perdiz apart are its calm, shallow waters ideal for diving and snorkeling, a nearby natural sinkhole (cenote) teeming with fish, and captivating underwater caves ready to be explored.  

(Taken from Prensa Latina)