Colorado Dive & Travel Adventures

Jardines de la Reina - Gardens of the Queen
Scuba diving in the Gardens of the Queen in Cuba is one of the global diving hotspots this year. This area has been a marine park for over 20 years and the protection has paid off. Dr David E. Guggenheim, an American marine biologist and senior fellow at the Ocean Foundation in Washington stated that Jardines de la Reina is "the most incredibly well protected and flourishing reef I've ever seen".

Coral reefs are often called "the rainforests of the ocean." They're not just biologically diverse and stunningly beautiful, they're a source of food and income for much of the world's population, and they're in danger.

Scientists estimate that 25 percent of the world's reefs have died off and what's left is at risk. There is, however, one spot in the Caribbean that marine biologists describe as a kind of "under-water Eden," a coral reef largely untouched by man. It's called the Gardens of the Queen.

Diving in Jardines de la Reina is unique due to a collaboration between the government and privately owned Italian company Avalon which holds the licence for Scuba diving in the park, allowing a maximum of 1200 divers per year and granted permits to live in the marine sanctuary on a liveaboard.

Jardines Avalon F II (JAF2)
Jardines Avalon F II (JAF2) is a 130 foot vessel, with 10 state rooms, that started operating since April 2014. It is air conditioned with private bathrooms. All live aboards are intimate, comfortable and stylishly designed yachts, where each space is created to provide its guests with maximum comfort and safety. The atmosphere was conceived and designed to provide our guests with an experience of a lifetime.

Its overall capacity is 20 passengers and 9 crew members. The design and interior decor give the yacht a touch of intimacy, refinement, a sense of warmth and simplicity. The boat has the perfect balance of substantial exploration capabilities and a unique and noble style. It guarantees all our guests a pleasant, exciting and exclusive voyage through Jardines de la Reina.

Jardines Avalon F II (JAF2) has 10 deluxe cabins, each with ensuite bathrooms. Each room includes air conditioning and heat controls, electricity plugs, as well as storage in drawers. Each room has panoramic windows to enjoy the breathtaking view of the Caribbean beaches.
There is a spacious and comfortable combination lounge, dining room and bar area on the boat deck. In cabins and common areas there are electric sockets available for you to plug in your personal items (220 volts and 110 volts).

Jardines Avalon II's beverages selection includes fruit juices, soft drinks, iced water, iced tea, coffee, and a full bar of beer, wine and spirits.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zreWSBxxLs

Diving Package includes:

• 7 nights accommodations aboard Jardines Avalon F II (JAF2) with ensuite bathrooms
• 3 dives per day (17 day dives + 1 night dive)
• All meals and snacks while onboard
• Alcoholic beverages, and soft drinks (up to 6 per day)
• Eco-adventures (beach and mangrove exploration, crocodile encounters)
• Tanks and weights

Dive Package Does Not Include:
• International Flights DEN to Havana (HAV), return via Camaguey (CMW)
• Meals not specified
• Rental dive gear
• Scuba training
• Crew gratuities
• Nitrox - $120

Complete Package Pricing - $4460, which includes items shown below:
• $3950 per person (based on double occupancy)
• Transfers - Havana to Jucaro Marina (6 hrs) - $150, return to Camaguey (2 hrs) - Free with half/full charter
• Conservation fee - $120
• Port fee - $240

Complete trip details: http://coloradodivetravel.com/trips/caribbean/cuba/cubas-gardens-of-the-queen-june-3-10-2023/

Optional Land Tours in Havana – completely optional and extra, for Havana or eastern part of the island, but not to be missed. I will send a separate email to discuss this completely

Payments in country or on the boat are Euros, or USD cash only, no credit cards accepted anywhere, no ATM’s anywhere in Cuba. **Please do not mark any payment instrument with “Cuba” or “Havana” – this will cause your bank to withhold your payment.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE:
• Deposit: $1000 to reserve your space (non-refundable)
• Subsequent Payment: $1500 due June 1, 2024
• Final Payment: Balance is due on September 1 2024

Passport requirement – must have 6 months remaining until expiration date upon return to USA.

Travel and dive accident insurance are highly recommended, and available to purchase!

** AIRFARE SOLD SEPARATELY **

If interested, please contact Andy Skuntz via email, askuntz@yahoo.com or call 719-322-6941.

### MALDIVES LIVEABOARD, “WHERE DREAMS COME TRUE”

The archipelago of the Maldives is formed by 25 atolls and almost 1,200 islands. The vast majority of the islands are uninhabited. It is considered one of the top diving destinations in the world, and the Maldives diving is one of the mostexciting experiences in life.

With a wonderful tropical climate, breath-taking and unspoiled desert islands, and a spectacular underwater world of stunning beauty. So… Still, thinking about choosing a Maldives Liveaboard? Just stay reading to discover the best liveaboard fleet in the Maldives

### MALDIVES BLUE FORCE ONE

Our Maldives Blue Force One has been awarded as the best Maldivian liveaboard boat (2018). We have designed a perfect boat for you to enjoy your diving vacation without skimping on comfort and details. Details such as an outdoor jacuzzi, solariums with sun loungers, an outdoor bar, a large lounge, and modern cabins make it an ideal boat for non-divers.

The Blue Force One has a different design than the other liveaboard boats in the Maldives. As a Premium diving boatcompeting with resorts, we decided to give more comfort to the guest and extend the trip experience farther than just the diving activity.

#### SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE:

Addu, Ghaafu Alifu & Ghaafu Dhaaly, Fuvahmulah. Embarking and disembarking in Kooddoo depending on the stage.

Most interesting spots on the route:
* GAAFU ALIFU & GHAAFU DHAALU: Doing the “Southern Hemisphere” route, you will have the opportunity to go more in depth into one of the most beautiful atolls of the Maldives, Gaafu Alifu and Gaafu Dhaalu, visiting all its marvelous places. The famous Vilingili and Kooddoo channels of are only a part of the many attractions that this huge atoll has to offer. We also find densely coral garden, blue dives next to the reef like Gemmanafushi Beru where we go out to find hammerhead and silky sharks and more.
* ADDU: Famous for its manta dives at Maa Kandu cleaning station where we can enjoy the presence of these majestic creatures. Addu is also home to the largest wreck in the Maldives, The Bristis Loyalty, 150 meters! But not only that, in this atoll we also find incredible blue walls where we have the chance to find tiger, silvertip and grey reef sharks.
* FUVAHMULAH: One of the main attractions of this route, Fuvahmulah is where we will spend one of our days during the trip. This island south of the equators offers exciting dives such as the southern plateau, with strong currents, we will have the chance to see from hammerhead sharks to thresher and tiger sharks, or the famous Tiger Zoo or Tiger Wall where we will have the opportunity to see tiger sharks up close, with the possibility to choose the “attracting” dives (hiding waste from the fish processing plant under the rocks). other pelagic animals are common in Fuvahmulah (tunas, jack fish, marlin, etc…)

#### The highlight of South Maldives diving

The route is unique and out of all the usual circuits. The quality of the dives is extraordinary. The amount of life (schools of jacks, schools of sharks and other pelagics, whale shark at night, mantas, tiger shark, mola mola, sailfish …), the quality and exuberance of the reefs, thilas with corals like the Maldives 25 years ago turn the route into the best of Maldives!

For Addu Atoll, we are booked to stay at Equator Village, and we will dive with AquaVenture - this is the best possible combination, in the Deep South.

###### Scuba Diving with AquaVenture in Addu Atoll

Since 2013 we are running Aquaventure PADI 5 Star Dive Center, it's the first local dive center in Addu. Our international team of instructors and divemasters have years of experience as well as thousands of dives in Addu Atoll and know the diving sites, and channels as no other here in the Deep South.

IT IS COMPULSORY TO HAVE FOR SOUTH HEMISPHERE 100 LOGGED DIVES

For trip inclusion and exclusions, please visit the webpage for this trip, https://coloradodivetravel.com/trips/indian-ocean/maldives/maldives-blue-force-one-addu-atoll-february-10-22-2025/

Pricing starts at $4437, this is one week about Blue Force One and Addu Atoll at the Equator Village. All pricing options are also on the webpage.

Questions?? Do you want to join us? I will not respond to RSVPs on meetup, rather email or call me - please don't wait, this boat will fill up.

Thank you,

Andy SKuntz
719-322-6941
info@coloradodivetravel.com