Punta Perdiz: the kind blue where the Caribbean dives in peace

By: Rachell Cowan Canino/ Photos: Abel Rojas Barallobre

Arriving at Punta Perdiz, a corner of the southern coast of Matanzas, is to encounter a landscape worthy of the word beauty, a place where national and foreign visitors agree on the dominant harmony and admiration for the enchanting blue of the Caribbean Sea waters. It is nestled in the heart of the Ciénaga de Zapata, the largest wetland in the insular Caribbean and a biodiversity sanctuary that holds three important management categories: Biosphere Reserve, Ramsar Site, and National Park.

Unlike other diving destinations that require long boat trips, here the underwater paradise literally begins from the shore. Punta Perdiz is one of the eleven environmentally certified diving spots in the Ciénaga, and it is home to one of the best-preserved seabeds in the country, with a large coral reserve, seagrass beds of lush beauty, and pleasantly warm waters at any time of the year. Various species of corals, gorgonians, sponges, large fish, and schools of colorful tropical fish abound.

But what makes Punta Perdiz unique is that diving and snorkeling can be practiced from the shore, without the need for boats, making it an accessible paradise for all kinds of travelers, from beginners to the most experienced. In addition to open-sea diving, cave diving in flooded caves can also be practiced in the area, a modality that attracts the most daring divers. The dive center has highly qualified staff and all the conditions to carry out dives according to international standards, as well as lifeguards and doctors specialized in underwater medicine. It is no coincidence that it has established itself as the most sought-after non-hotel facility by visitors in the area.

The dive center has traditionally been a magnet for markets with a diving tradition such as the United Kingdom and France, although currently Russia remains the main international source market. But since the first half of the year, they have also been working on encouraging the domestic market, offering nationals the option of day passes, an all-inclusive service that includes an open bar, shaded areas, beach beds, restrooms, showers, and lunch at the buffet from twelve noon to three in the afternoon.

The facility, managed by Cubanacán, is open every day from ten in the morning until five in the afternoon. And after immersing themselves in those crystal-clear waters, visitors can recharge at the eponymous restaurant, very attractive for its design that simulates a ship, where it offers buffet service and open bar. The comments from those who have visited highlight the comfort of the areas, the quality of the culinary offerings, and the attractiveness of the surroundings.

For tourism professionals, Punta Perdiz represents a golden opportunity: it is located just eleven kilometers from Playa Girón and about two hours south of Havana, which allows for full-day trips from the main tourist hubs such as Varadero or Havana. It can be perfectly combined with other attractions of the Ciénaga de Zapata: the Ciénaga de Zapata National Park, the Bermejas Wildlife Refuge for observing endemic birds (including the tocororo, the national bird, and the bee hummingbird, the smallest bird in the world), and the Zapata Peninsula, where thousands of pink flamingos paint the landscape.

That is why, when tour operators ask us where they can find in Cuba an authentic, accessible diving experience in a protected natural environment, we always recommend starting here. In Punta Perdiz there are no large hotel infrastructures or crowds. There is a kind blue that grants tranquility, harmony, and peace, a workforce dedicated to excellence, and the opportunity to explore a seabed recognized for the richness of its biodiversity and conservation.

Although many resist the temptation to dive into the always pleasantly warm water, there are those who choose just to lie down close to the sea and gaze at the dazzling color that distinguishes it. Because in Punta Perdiz, even contemplation is a form of diving: an immersion in the most serene beauty of the Caribbean.