Cuba Photo Workshop October 2025

Trip Overview

The underwater paradise is all that comes into mind when you first enter the Cuban waters, the vertical walls covered with brightly hued sponges, the huge pillar corals (Montastraea Annularis), the black corals extending the branches in the contrasting blue water, many species of gorgonians, fragile laminar corals (Agaricia sp.) showing its beautiful shapes through crevices, canyons and caves built along thousands of years of invertebrates work, converting tons of calcium carbonate into architecture masterpieces, all this combined with one of the biggest fish diversity and biomass of the Caribbean makes each dive an unforgettable experience.

For guests holding a US passport, this cruise falls under the humanitarian and environmental projects general license category. Marine biologists working with Avalon will be teaching and collaborating with guests about marine conservation and the Gardens of the Queen's unique ecosystem. Guests will be immersed in participatory environmental projects perfectly integrated into their diving program, supporting the long-term sustainable conservation initiatives. All guests are granted a certificate of participation and completion of this humanitarian and environmental project along with a full itinerary of activities that will certify them as legal under US and Cuban regulations.

Read about our 2023 Cuba Trip here.

See: Cuba Dive Travel Guide.

Recommended Gear

• 3mm wetsuit. Browse Wetsuits at Bluewater Photo
• SMB. The Mares Dive Marker Buoy is our choice!
• Skins. Check out these sharkskins
• Snorkel gear. We recommend the Cressi ZS1 & Corsica Snorkeling Package
• Travel BCD. Read our Best Travel BCD Article
• Travel regulator. We suggest Mares Ultra 62X Dive Regulator
• Anti-fog. Check out JAWS Quick Spit Antifod Spray
• Dive light/torch. We suggest Kraken NR-2000 Dive Light
• Pointer. OrcaTorch is our recommended
• Dive computer. Take your pick of dive computers at Bluewater Photo

DISCOVER HAVANA TOUR  (4 DAYS/3 NIGHTS) LAND EXTENSION

Additional $1,899 per person, double occupancy / $2,299 per person, single occupancy

Take the opportunity to extend your trip and discover the vibrant Cuban capital, Havana. This 3-night, 4-day guided tour will give you a taste of Havana's unique culture, vibrant nightlife, and delicious cuisine. The tour starts with a group transfer pick-up from Havana Airport at 12pm noon on October 15th. Guests arriving later will need to pay for a private transfer to join the rest of the group. On October 18th you will rendevous with the Avalon transfer for the journey to Port Jucaro. 

Discover Havana Tour Itinerary

• Day 1:  Wednesday, 10/15/25 | ​​​​​​Private Lodging
  Flight Florida to Havana (ETA Havana by late-morning is recommended in group to avoid separate shuttle cost). (Note mandatory airport check-in for Cuba requires 1 hour as absolute minimum or boarding will be denied.  We recommend 2 hours).
  Airport greeting by Guide, group shuttle to Havana & opening meeting.
  Intro to Cuba lunch with University of Havana political science professor and former UN diplomat: a free-wheeling discussion on Cuba’s political system, economy, trade and travel restrictions, role of women in Cuban society, approach to LGBTQ, Fidel’s literacy project, health care, etc.  Q & A session – healthy dialog encouraged.
  Begin walking and photography tour of Old Havana, the UNESCO World Heritage city, with expert guide, focusing on its founding, development as a world tourism destination, its architecture, music and art, including visits to its main plazas: Plaza de las Armas / Palacio de los Capitanes Generales/ Palacio del Segundo Cabo, moving along through Plaza San Francisco de Asís, Plaza Catedral (stop at graphic artists workshop and stores nearby at Callejon Chorro); and Plaza Vieja 
  Check-in at lodging
  Private Cigar and Rum tasting experience with Abel Espósito, the first Habanos Man, appointed by Fidel Castro and Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
  Traditional evening of dinner & music at the Buena Vista Social Club, the group that brought the unique Cuban rhythms to an international audience
  Late night music options at one of these venues: La Zorra y el Cuervo (“The Fox & the Raven”, Cuba’s iconic jazz club); or at “Claxon”, or “23 & H”) 
• Day 2:  Thursday, 10/16/25 | ​Havana ​​​​Private Lodging
  Breakfast at lodging.
  Salsa dance lesson (1 ½ hours) in a private dance salon –”two left feet” are welcome for this fun dance experience!
  Classic American vintage convertible car tour of greater Havana - 1 hour ending on the Malecon, Havana’s social gathering place, with a brief walk to the iconic Hotel Nacional, HQ of the Cuban Revolution, home to the Mob, Mafia, international movie stars and glitterati through Havana’s “Roaring ‘50’s”.  Optional:  enjoy drinks on the veranda overlooking Havana Harbor 
  Lunch at café
  Visit the colorful Jaimanitas neighborhood of “Fusterlandia,” the unique creation of ceramicist Jose Fuster (dubbed “The Picasso of Cuba”), that over the years has spawned dozens of small streetside businesses and drawn many thousands of tourists; opportunities to purchase works of the artists
  Dinner at Casa Lilliam paladar (“paladares, private family-run restaurants, that once permitted quickly became the main “engine” for rapid growth in Cuba’s private enterprise sector)
  Cabaret Parisien Show – located in the Hotel Nacional – “Habana de Fiesta” cabaret show with spectacular Latin-themed Las Vegas style music and dance 
• Day 3:  Friday, 10/17/25 | Havana​​​​​ Private Lodging
  Breakfast at lodging
  “Walk in the shoes of an average Cuban” visiting government rations store, coffee shop, local markets
  11:00 a.m. Private cooking and mojito lessons with Cuba’s famous “TV Chef” followed by lunch of the lesson’s recipe “creations”
  Visit to Callejon de Hamel, the Havana home of Cuba’s predominant Santeria spiritual faith (akin to Haiti’s Voodoo; practiced by 63% of the population).  Visit artist galleries in neighborhood.
  Tour the Spanish Colonial architecture of Cemeteria de Colon, Cuba’s most visited site, or Continue walking tour of Old Havana visiting Parque Central, Museum of the Revolution and Havana Fine Arts Museum
  Dinner in the VIP Room of Tierra Restaurant  inside Fabrica de Arte Cubano (“FAC”), Time Magazine’s 2019 “Top-100 World Destinations”
  After dinner, enjoy the varied artistic media, music, the cafe and overall vibe of Fabrica de Arte Cubano.
  Late evening of music along Havana’s waterfront Malecon Habanero or strolling the Old City’s streets 
• Day 4:  Saturday 10/18 | departure to Avalon Dive trip at Jucaro Marina
  Early breakfast at lodging
  Bid farewell to guide & driver, group shuttle to hotel to meet up with the Avalon dive shuttle for Jucaro port

Discover Havana Tour Inclusions

• Havana Airport arrival group transfer at 12pm on Oct 15th
• High-quality lodgings - all private, air-conditioned
• All meals, many at Cuba's best private restaurants
• Private English-fluent Cuban guide and specialty guides throughout your trip
• Private dedicated driver, air-conditioned vehicle
• Admissions & fees
• Welcome drinks
• A full itinerary of local cultural experiences, visits, and tours
• Legal Itinerary for Cuba - as required by the U.S. Treasury Department 

• Extra alcohol
• Tips (tipping guide provided)
• Additional pre-trip cultural days as requested
• Private airport shuttle(s) outside allotted time ($75USD per person)
• Transfer from Havana to Jucaro Port ($150USD per person)