Description
Boat
Georgiana is a standard plus yacht fully constructed and designed for outdoor purposes, will take guests to the pristine Zapata Peninsula & Bay of Pigs area.
It has a huge open air saloon with dining area on the upper deck, equipped with comfortable sitting chairs and large tables for guests to enjoy their dining time, as well as BBQ equipment, guests can enjoy their tasty meals with an excellent panoramic view.
Dining on board combines the style of the best Continental Italian cuisine with delicious seafood and traditional Cuban favorites like rice and beans, black bean soup and fried bananas. Lobster is our specialty and is served in a variety of ways. For those who like something different, chicken, pork and beef are also available. Salads and different fruits are served in every meal. Desserts feature our famous Cuban caramel custard, rhum-flavored cakes, cookies, puddings, pies and many others. Vegetarian and kosher meals are served on request with many different choices available.
Onboard beverages available are: Bottled mineral water, sparkling and tonic water, various soft drinks, juices, beers, rums, whisky and excellent wines (6 beverages/day are included in the package).
Georgiana has a team of professional crew giving you personalized attention every minute, with a mixture of the warmth and friendly way of the Cubans mixed with the highest European quality standards and infrastructure.
Cabin
Georgiana has 6 guests cabins, it can accommodate up to 18 guests per trip :
All cabins have en-suite bathroom, air-conditioners, comfortable beds, electricity plugs.
6 Twin/Triple Cabins：
Each cabin comes with a set of bunk beds as well as an additional single bed, window. Even in each cabin there is room for three guests, it is rare that the ship carries its full capacity.
Diving
Usually 15 dives per week, including night dives.
Only 2 dives will be provided on the last diving day.
No dive provided on the day of arrival and departure.
All diving will provide experienced guide to lead the dive.
Other Informations
- Nitrox Service：Not available at the moment
- 15L Tanks：Limited available, need to be pre-booked
- REBREATHER Dive：Not available at the moment
- Technical Dive：Not available at the moment yet
- Dive Equipment Rental：Available with additional charge
- Dive insurance：Divers must have valid dive insurance
- Wi-Fi Internet ：Not available at the moment yet
- Laundry Service：Available with additional charge
- Massage Service：Not available at the moment
- Payment on board：Cash Only (USD/EUR/CUC)
- Crew Number：7, include 2 dive guides
Itineraries
Zapata Peninsula & Bay of Pigs (8D/7N)
Duration :
8 Days / 7 Nights with 6 diving days. Embark time is around 7 - 8am, disembark is around 10 - 11am.
During the week, guests can expect to make 15 - 17 dives, inlcudes night dives.
Airport :
Guests should fly to airport such as : Havana, Varadero, Santa Clara for pick-up/drop-off.
Port :
Georgiana will be waiting for guests in Playa Larga.
Daily routine onboard
The day begins with a wakeup call at 7:00 am, coffee/tea ready, breakfast at 7:15 am. Our diving instructors are ready to go diving from 8:00 am. Fast diving boats are used to reach diving spots having the opportunity to explore different sites each day and enjoy the view of mangrove channels, virgin beaches, birds and other exuberant fauna during the trips.
During the dive briefings, our experienced instructors will explain every detail of the dive, from what will be seen in a particular spot to the correct behavior while diving with sharks or highlights of the area and special characteristics of the marine life present. After the first dive, surface interval in one of the beautiful beaches. Second dive and, at midday, boats will return for lunch, the thrid dive will be done in the afternoon. And if possible, we will make a night dive or sunset dive.
Together with the instructor, arrange time for afternoon dives or for excursions through the lagoon and mangrove channels. Coming back to the live aboard, it is time to drink a frozen “mojito”, enjoy the afternoon pizza and talk about the dives. Around 8:00 pm, dinner is served and, like a family, everyone gets together around the table. Evening time next to the bar, to watch photos and videos while breathing the sea atmosphere, it’s time to plan with the instructors what will happen next day.
About Diving
The Zapata peninsula contains the largest and most important wetlands in the Caribbean. Covering 1.5 million acres (6,000 square km), the immense Zapata Biosphere Reserve includes marshes, peat bogs, mangroves, coral reefs, and forests that support a complex web of life, including frogs, turtles, fish, shellfish, crocodiles, birds, and countless plants and insects, making its conservation a top priority for the entire region.
The Zapata Peninsula is an idyllic playground for ecotourists and scuba divers. All the water surrounded this protective area, will be your diving zone for the week. So, you imagine what we are talking about, and count on us that we´ll continue our major efforts for more protection of the marine environment. Zapata area will be your base for the week, diving with fast diving skiffs from the live aboard Georgiana.
This territory is characterized by both the presence of considerable peat depth and the fact that it is a low, flat area from the viewpoint of relief. Top height above sea level is only about 10 meters, while top depth in below-sea-level coastal zones is as follows: 2 meters in the salt-marsh area and from 1 - 600 meters in the sea coastal zone.
More
| Destinations | Jardines de la Reina |
|---|---|
| Facilities | Camera Station, Fishing gear, Laundry |
| Languages spoken | English, Spanish |
Schedules & routes
Prices & conditions
Included
- Full-board meal plan (including snacks)
- Dinner ashore the night before disembarkation
- Complimentary alcoholic beverage with dinner
- Soft drinks
- Diving activity (incl. tanks, weights, weight belts)
- Dive guide service
- Land excursions and activities throughout the trip
- Boat accident insurance
- Cabin cleaning service
Not included
- Transfers from airport and/or hotel to the yacht
- Marine park fees & Port fees
- Fuel surcharge
- Dive equipment rentals
- Dive courses on board
- Dive insurance (mandatory requirement)
- Travel insurance (trip cancellation insurance)
- Crew gratuity
Useful information
Jardines de la Reina
Best time for diving
November - April during the dry season have the best overall conditions, which offers the calmest seas and optimal visibility. May - October are more active marine life, and the peak time for shark encounters in Gardens of the Queen. This is also the hurricane season, which increases the risk of storms and rougher surface conditions, though the southern coast locations are less affected. Diving is possible year-round, with different seasonal benefits for marine encounters.
About temperatures
Air : generally ranges between 24°C – 30°C depending on the season
Sea : varies from 24°C – 29°C throughout the year, warmest from August to October and coolest in February.
Wetsuit Recommendation
Most divers find a 3mm wetsuit sufficient year-round, though a 5mm suit is recommended for those who chill easily during multiple dives in the cooler months of January through March.
Diver requirement
Suitable for all levels, including beginners and photographers. The calm conditions, pristine reefs, and abundance of large marine life make this destination ideal for relaxed diving. You can find out more information about diving in Cuba here: Cuba.
Embarkation / Disembarkation
Liveaboard trips to Gardens of the Queen (Jardines de la Reina) typically embark and disembark in Júcaro Port (Puerto de Júcaro), located in southern Cuba. Guests can fly in/out from Camagüey (CMW) or Cayo Coco (CCC) for the shortest ground transfer, flying into Havana (HAV) is an option, though it involves a much longer taxi journey (extra cost).
For Zapata Peninsula & Bay of Pigs is usually accessed via Havana (HAV), with road transfers to Playa Girón or Playa Larga.
Visa Requirements
Most travelers to Cuba require a tourist card (visa), which allows a stay of up to 30 days and can usually be extended once in the country. Tourist cards are commonly arranged through airlines or travel agencies prior to departure. Please note: travelers may be asked to show proof of onward or return travel upon arrival.
Vaccinations
No mandatory vaccinations are required for entry into Cuba. However, routine vaccinations are recommended. Yellow fever vaccination is required only for travelers arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Money Matters
The local currency is the Cuban Peso (CUP). Some tourist services may also accept EUR or USD, though cash is strongly recommended. Credit and debit cards issued by non-US banks are accepted in limited locations, but access to ATMs can be inconsistent, so travelers are advised to carry sufficient cash.
Drones
Drone use in Cuba is strictly regulated. Importing or operating a drone generally requires prior authorization from Cuban authorities. Unauthorized drones may be confiscated upon arrival. Please check official regulations before traveling.
Extending your holiday
We offer a range of hotels/resorts, land-based diving packages, and excursions that can be arranged before or after your liveaboard holiday. Just ask us if you need such a service.
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