
Ancla del Pirata
Also known as: Pirate's Anchor (Ancla del Pirata)
Best time to dive
January to December; December to August; November to April
What you might see
- BarracudaLikely
- Manta rayPossible
- Whale sharkPossible
Sightings are seasonal probabilities, not promises - even in peak season nature does its own thing.
Certification & difficulty
Open Water - advanced conditions (currents/depth); dive within your training.
Snorkelling
Snorkel-friendly - Shallow upper reef suits confident snorkelers; run as a boat scuba dive
Safety notes
Remote Guanahacabibes location (~300 km from Havana) with limited nearby emergency/medical infrastructure; otherwise standard boat-diving practice. Named for a giant ~2-ton 18th-century anchor resting on the coral, encrusted with corals and crustaceans.
Permits & fees
Inside Guanahacabibes Peninsula National Park (UNESCO Biosphere Reserve); diving is arranged exclusively through the government-operated Maria la Gorda International Diving Center; proof of certification/logbook and a signed waiver required; no separate park dive-permit fee documented
Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.
Location
Nearest hub: Maria la Gorda
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand dive report. Coordinates are approximate.

