On
the north coast of Cuba, exactly at the Sabana-Camagüey Archipelago,
lie the keys, isles and islets that the Spanish conquerors named –between
1513-1514– Jardines del Rey (King’s Gardens), in honor of
Fernando the Catholic, Spanish king at the time. Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo,
caressed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, located in one of the most
beautiful coral reefs of the world, are unique places because of the wide
range and profusion of their sea species and luxuriant vegetation.
Both keys belong to Ciego de Ávila City, 460 km. east of Havana City and 110 km. west of Camagüey, and are linked to the main island via a 27 km. long road over the sea called pedraplén that crosses Bahía de Perros (Bay of Dogs) north of the province.
The
keys are also linked to each other by the same pedraplén. There
is an airfield at Cayo Coco. Crossing this road may be an amusing and
interesting trip, because dolphins both sides of the pedraplén
and huge colonies of pink flamingos can be seen from it.
Lies
on the Atlantic Ocean, 400 km. south of Nassau at Bahamas. It’s
Cuba’s fourth largest island. This 370 sq.km. coral key is about
37 km. long. The vicinity of a 400 km. long coral reef, considered by
experts as the second most important in the world, after the one in Australia,
constitutes one of the natural wonders of this region, while allowing
for diving in warm waters of very good visibility. This small island has
9 km. of snowy white beach running along the Atlantic side, while the
south coast is mostly mangroves.
A
gifted reserve for flora and fauna, this zone shelters species like lime-dwelling
birds, gray herons and the pink flamingos, these last in a large flock
of more than 30 000 individuals, one of the largest in the world. It’s
also the favorite habitat of other bird species like cormorants, woodpeckers,
mockingbirds, pelicans and lots of duck species.
10-20 meters away, the coral reef with more than 10 km. adds on attractiveness to the place. The diversity and wealth of sea species make the divers believe they are at a true aquarium. Few places in the world can compete with such beauty. Tarpons, tranchinatus, big red snappers, stonebasses, sharks and barracudas are to be found in the area, which makes the Coco Diving Center a most alluring diving option.
