Avalon Fleet 3

Boat

Jardines Avalon III is a brand new state-of-the-art vessel, where each space is created to provide its guests with maximum comfort and safety. It start it will start operating in January 2019. This yacht is 48.8 meters long, 8,6 meters wide, with cruising speed at 12 knots.

The boat has the perfect balance of substantial exploration capabilities and a unique and noble style. It guarantees all guests a pleasant, exciting and exclusive voyage through Jardines de la Reina.

There is a spacious and comfortable combination lounge, dining room and bar area on the boat deck. In cabins and common areas you will find european /american sockets (220 volts and 110 volts ).

Jardines Avalon III offers to the divers a lot of space for dive equipment and photo and video cameras . On the top deck a Jacuzzi (500-gallon hot tub) ,with panoramic view: ideal space to drink a mohjito after the last dive at sunset.

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).

Cabin

Jardines Avalon III has 15 comfortable guests cabins, it can accommodate up to 30 guests per trip :

All cabins have ensuite bathroom, comfortable beds, electricity plugs - european /american sockets (220 volts and 110 volts ), as well as plenty of space for the storage.

2 Suite Cabins (#14& 15)：
Located on the upper deck, each cabin comes with two single beds side by side, upon request, it can be converted into one king size double bed. Each cabin has its own private balcony.

2 Suite Cabins (#11& 12)：
Located on the mian deck, each cabin comes with two single beds side by side, upon request, it can be converted into one king size double bed. Each cabin has its own private balcony.

1 Standard Cabin (#13)：
Located on the mian deck, this cabin comes with two single beds side by side, seaview windows.

10 Standard Cabins (#1 - 10)：
Located on the lower deck, each cabin comes with two single beds side by side, some of the cabins can be converted into one double bed, portholes.

Diving

• Usually 3 dives per day, include 1 night dive / week.

• 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：Available with additional cost ($100/week)
• 15L Tanks：Limited available, provided free of charge
• 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：12, include 3 - 5 dive guides

Gardens of the Queen 8D/7N

Duration :
From Saturday to Saturday for 8D/7N each week.

Arrival Information :
We suggest arriving into Cayo Coco Airport (CCC), Santa Clara (SNU) or Camaguey airport (CMW). Transfers from these airports are US$50 per person one way to Jucaro port. Guests arriving into these airports, the flight must arrive no later than 12:30pm to ensure same day arrival to the port and navigation to Jardines de la Reina.

If clients prefer to arrive and depart in Havana, they must arrive in the city on Friday, overnight, then take the collective land transfer to Jucaro port (US$100 / person / way - 6 hours). This transfer leaves Havana in the morning (6 - 8AM) and ensures that clients will arriving at the port in time to board and navigate on Saturday.

US Citizens :
The cruises fall under the "Workshops, clinics, public performances and other athletic competitions"general license 515.567(b). Marine Biologists working with Avalon will be collaborating with the clients about marine park conservation and the Gardens of the Queen’s unique ecosystem and clients will actively be engaging in the conservation initiative and efforts during their dive week.
Please feel free to read more about this program at BlueSanctuary.Org

Daily Program
You will board your mothership on Saturday by no later than 2pm and navigate to Jardines de la Reina which takes between 3.5-5 hours. Here you will be located within the middle of the archipelago having the quickest access to the best dive sites.

We have over 80 dive sites throughout the archipelago and we reach them in 33 foot diving skiffs accommodating 10-12 divers in each group. We impose a limit on divers per site per day, therefore you will always dive in small groups, rotating sites throughout the week.

On Avalon Fleet II and Jardines Avalon III, you will be able to do up to four dives per day including night dives. On these boats we also have Nitrox on board. On the Avalon Fleet I and the Tortuga you will be doing up to three dives per day including night dives. All air is supplied from our dive center and replenished throughout the day.

The daily schedule is very flexible and subject to your group’s desires. Typically, you will go out in the morning for a dive then return for a snack then make a second dive before lunch. You will return to the mother boat for lunch then a short rest then make two or one afternoon dives depending on which vessel you are staying on.

You will always be diving with a Cuban dive master that has spent their life exploring this reef. They are all trained in first aid and are very experienced in all aspects in diving and diver safety. Additionally, many of them are trained marine biologists and will happily educate your group on the uniqueness of the ecosystem through seminars, briefings and presentations throughout the week. Our diving programs ensure both an enriching environmental experience as well as a close human connection to this amazing country and archipelago.

In Jardines de la Reina, our season is year round. A normal week includes 17 dives + 1 night dive from Sunday to Friday; return to the mainland is on Saturday morning at around 9AM. It is possible to book extra dives on request.

Jardines de la Reina

There are more than 80 dive sites in the Gardens of the Queen, and yet more to be discovered, all dive sites are well protected from wind and marine currents.

The biggest populations of adult fish in the Caribbean, Sharks, Snappers and Groupers; Jewfish up to 400 pounds are an everyday experience. Sharks are one of the main attractions and you can see them everywhere. You can easily dive with 6 different species: Silkies, Reef, Lemon, Black tip, King Hammerhead and nurse sharks. From July to November you have the chance to swim with Whale Sharks. Gardens of the Queen is certainly one of the last virgin reefs known by man. Dive and snorkel sites are well protected from the winds and sea currents. Visibility is more than 40 meters. There is a wide variety of fish and corals.

In addition, this marine park acts as a critical refuge for North American birds migrating along the route through Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to South America. This wildlife sanctuary hosts more than 68 species of migratory birds.

Crocodiles Snorkel : There is an area back in the mangroves where dive operators over many years have developed a relationship with a few resident American crocodiles. Less aggressive than the infamous Nile and Australian crocodiles, American crocodiles are normally shy, but not in the Gardens of the Queen.

This is an absolutely magic environment of clear water (at high tide anyway), with abundant seagrass below and mangrove forest above. If an over/under photo with a crocodile is on your wish list, there may be no better place on the planet to get one.