Located 145km (90 miles) south of Florida between Jamaica and the Bahamas, Cuba is one of the largest Caribbean islands and is also the most westerly of the Greater Antilles. With the Atlantic Ocean meeting the north of the island, the Caribbean Sea to the south and the Gulf of Mexico to the west the seas around this island are alive with life.

The native tongue is Spanish but it is not essential to speak the language to visit the island. The capital city is Havana which is a beautiful city to visit and is famous for its architecture, cigars and white rum. The last thing to say about Cuba is that it is one of the last communist regimes, making it hard for U.S. citizens to visit the island.

The climate is sub-topical with cool trade winds reducing the heat and humidity.Temperatures are generally around 80°F (26°C) between December and March heading to 90°F (32°C) between July and August. Most of the rain falls on the island in September and October. The also Hurricane season runs from May to October with most hurricanes striking between August and October.

December - March

Diving on the island is ok all year round, although during winter the seas can be choppy, as a rule of thumb the best visibility is from the end of November until late May. August, September and November are when you are most likely to spot a whale shark off the coast. Please also bare in mind the hurrican season overlaps this period from May to October.

The peak tourist season runs from December through March which coincides with the dry season on the island, with the beaches and resorts most busy during Christmas and Easter holidays. Prices are more competitve during the low season.

With plenty of marine life around this island, it is no wonder that plenty of divers choose to visit this island. The best known diving areas is Isla de la Juventud (an island just off the mainland), although with foreign investment, world class hotels and alternate diving centres have appeared across the island. Cuba definitely offers a diverse range of diving with beautiful waters and a good variety of wrecks to dive, so choose your area of the island carefully!

Direct flights are available from most US hub airports and Gatwick in London. In-direct flights are also available from London Heathrow and most european airports. From London, Havana is approximately 8 hours, and from New York is 3 hours 30 minutes.

Getting to Isla de la Juventud is a 25 minute flight from Rafael Cabrera Mustelier Airport.

Please note: If you are an American citizen, please check federal travel information before coming to the island.

Whilst on the island we suggest that you have a go at:

• Trekking
• Horse riding
• Mountain biking

Hotels and attractions tend to overbook in the high season, so expect overcrowding.