Cuba Diving November |

Why Dive Cuba in November?

November is an excellent month for a scuba diving holiday in Cuba. The wet season is easing, temperatures remain warm and the water is often calm enough for comfortable boat trips to reefs, walls and wrecks. Above the surface, you can enjoy sunny beaches and a relaxed island atmosphere without the busiest feel of the main winter season.

Sea temperatures are usually pleasant, so many divers are happy in a lightweight wetsuit. Visibility can be impressive, particularly around offshore sites where clear water reveals colourful coral, sponges and shoals of tropical fish. November can also bring fewer visitors than December and the months around Christmas, giving you more space on the dive boat and at popular sites.

Caribbean Holidays, Cuba Diving November, Colourful coral reef with tropical fish and a scuba diver in the clear waters of Cuba

What You May See Underwater

Cuba’s reefs are known for their healthy coral, dramatic drop-offs and excellent marine life. Depending on where you dive, you could glide over hard corals, explore swim-throughs and watch parrotfish, angelfish and barracuda moving through the blue. Turtles are another memorable sight, while eagle rays may pass quietly over sandy areas.

Many Cuban dive sites have a wonderfully unspoilt character. The water can feel calm and spacious, with long stretches of reef and very little damage from heavy development. Experienced divers will enjoy walls and deeper sites, while beginners can find sheltered areas with plenty to see close to the surface.

Caribbean Holidays, Cuba Diving November, Small dive boat leaving a tropical Cuban bay with palm-fringed coastline and calm turquoise water

Choosing a Cuban Dive Base

Varadero is a convenient choice if you want to combine diving with a straightforward beach holiday. Its dive centres offer access to nearby reefs and wrecks, and the resort has a good range of restaurants, hotels and excursions. It is particularly suitable for mixed groups where not everyone wants to dive every day.

For a quieter experience, consider the Jardines de la Reina, one of Cuba’s most celebrated marine areas. This remote archipelago is generally visited by liveaboard, rewarding divers with clear water, coral gardens and a strong chance of seeing larger marine creatures. The southern coast and areas around Trinidad can also offer rewarding dives alongside historic towns and attractive countryside.

Caribbean Holidays, Cuba Diving November, Friendly scuba diving group preparing equipment beside a sunny Cuban beach

Planning Your November Dive Holiday

Book your flights, accommodation and diving early if you plan to travel towards the end of November, as demand starts to increase before the peak winter period. Check what is included in your package, especially equipment hire, transfers, boat fees and marine park charges. A recognised certification card and logbook are normally required, and refresher sessions are available for anyone who has not dived recently.

November is also a good time to mix diving with time on land. Spend an afternoon wandering through colourful Havana, relax on a white-sand beach or enjoy Cuban music over dinner after your final dive. With warm weather, inviting seas and a choice of relaxed or adventurous dive bases, Cuba makes November a memorable choice for an underwater escape.