In 2003, Zapata, Bay of Pigs, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Zapata peninsula contains the largest and most important wetlands in the Caribbean. During the 7-night Oceans for Youth Foundation People-to-People group educational program, divers can spend a week learning about this magnificent biosphere reserve. As part of the People to People Group Travel Program, Cuban specialists will host discussions and presentations on the marine environment, conservation, and the importance of this magnificient ecosystem.
Covering 1.5 million acres, the immense Zapata Biosphere Reserve includes marshes, mangroves, coral reefs and forests that includes crocodiles, birds, shellfish, turtles, and countless plants that make conservation in this region a top priority. The protected wetlands attracts thousands of migrating birds that use this area as a stopover when migrating between North and South America.
The area that surrounds this protective area will be your diving zone for the week. Walls of Zapata, Bay of Pigs offers 7 night programs. You will see walls covered with sponges, black coral, caverns, schooling fish macro life and more. Travelers will receive up to 4 dives per day including night dives.
Arrival to Cuba
Havana José Martí Airport (HAV) or Varadero Int'l Airport (VRA)
Travelers will arrive Saturday to Havana or Varadero and be met at the airport and transfered to a 4-star hotel for the night. A group dinner will be hosted Saturday night. Sunday morning at 4 a.m. everyone will be picked up at the hotel for an approximate 3 hour drive to Playa Larga to board the Jardines Aggressor I. After boarding, it is three hours to the dive site. The week will include 5 1/2 days of diving with the Jardines Aggressor I returning back to port Saturday morning.
Departure
Saturday morning travelers will have a continental breakfast then depart the Jardines Aggressor I at 9:30 am for an approximate 3 hour bus ride back to the Havana José Airport or Varadero Airport.
** Please Note: Fishing activities are not permitted as part of the Oceans for Youth Foundation's authorized People-to-People Group Cuban travel programs.
