Water Sports | Varadero, Cuba

Watersports and Boat/Catamaran Tours

Varadero is an ideal destination for watersports and enjoying the waters off-shore. Most all-inclusive resorts offer a range of non-motorised water sports free of charge, for example: kayaks, pedal boats, sailing, hobie cats, sail and boogie boarding, snorkeling, introductory scuba diving lesson, water bicycles, water polo, etc.

The motorized water sports ($) are mostly offered by the Varadero's marinas, such as: Scuba Diving & diving courses, swim with dolphins (dolphinarium or sea pen, see below), game fishing, catamaran cruises (half-day and full-day, see below), life-on-board (5 or 7 days on a catamaran), jet-ski, speed boat, water skiing, banana boat, glass-bottom boat, etc.

Here are some of the most popular water activities, boat tours and catamaran cruises available in Varadero:

Seafari Cayo Blanco
This full-day excursion is one the most popular activity in Varadero, setting sail from the Marina Chapelin, a large and comfortable catamaran will take you off-shore to enjoy the beauty of the turquoise waters surrounding the Varadero’s peninsula; you can relax on the shaded areas or on the nets as you glide gently over the waves. The first stop is a coral reef where you can enjoy snorkeling (equipment in provided), then the catamaran drops anchor off the gorgeous and virgin beach of Cayo Blanco (a small deserted island) where you can enjoy a delicious lunch with several options (lobster, fish, shrimp, squid, chicken,..) while listening to the sound of live traditional Cuban music, and have free time to swim in the ocean, play games, do some non-motorised water sports, or simply relax on the beach. Then the catamaran sails back to Varadero while you relax on board. This excursion also includes a dolphin show at the Varadero Delfinario (dolphinarium). More info and prices here: Excursion – Seafari Cayo Blanco

Crucero del Sol
This full-day catamaran cruise is one the most popular activity in Varadero. Setting sail from the Marina Gaviota, a large and comfortable catamaran will take you off-shore to enjoy the beauty of the turquoise waters surrounding the Varadero’s peninsula; you can relax on the shaded areas or on the nets as you glide gently over the waves. The first stop is a coral reef where you can enjoy snorkeling (equipment in provided). And then the catamaran drops anchor off the gorgeous and virgin beach of Cayo Blanco (a small deserted island) where you can enjoy a delicious seafood lunch (lobster, shrimps and fish) while listening to live traditional Cuban music. You will have free time to swim in the ocean, play games, do some non-motorised water sports, or simply relax on the beach. Then the catamaran sails back to Varadero while you relax on board. This excursion also includes a 15-minutes interactive swim with dolphins at Rancho Cangrejo (an open-sea dolphinarium) where you get to perform different tricks with them. More info and prices here: Excursion – Crucero del Sol

Seatour
This full-day catamaran cruise is also popular and is cheaper than the 2 above because it doesn't include a dolphins interaction. The first stop is a coral reef where you can enjoy snorkeling (equipment is provided), then the catamaran drops anchor off the gorgeous and virgin beach of Cayo Blanco (a small deserted island) where you can enjoy a delicious lunch with several options (lobster, fish, shrimp, squid, chicken, etc.) while listening to the sound of live traditional Cuban music, and have free time to swim in the ocean, play games, do some non-motorised water sports, or simply relax on the beach. Then the catamaran sails back to Varadero while you relax on board. More info and prices here: Excursion – Seatour

Swim with Dolphins with show (at the Delfinario)
This excursion includes the pickup from your hotel and the transfer to the Delfinario where you will see a dolphin show and afterwards swim with the dolphins. There are usually 2 dolphin shows (about 30 minutes each) daily. Visitors can swim and interact with the dolphins for approximately 20 minutes in the water and get to perform different tricks with them such as free interaction, touching, kssing, jumping, acrobatics, etc. More info and prices here: Excursion – Swim with Dolphins Delfinario

Swim with Dolphins open-sea (at Rancho Cangrejo)
This excursion includes the pickup from your hotel to the marina where a boat will take you off-shore to "Rancho Cangrejo" whih is an open-sea dolphinarium. You can swim and interact with dolphins for approximately 30 minutes and perform a variety of exercices with these intelligent marine mammals, such as free interaction, touching, kssing, jumping, acrobatics, etc. More info and prices here: Excursion – Dolphins Adventure

Boat Adventure
Navigate your own two-seater watercraft (speedboat or aquaray jet-ski) through the channels and mangroves between the islands of the southern part of the Varadero’s peninsula and the Cardenas Bay. During this 2-hour ride you will see Cayo Libertad, Punta Gorda and Cayo Buba, an islet where you will visit a mini-zoo. This unique adventure combines the trill of riding you own watercraft with the opportunity to discover and observe the fauna and flora of the area, such as flamingos, crocodiles, iguanas, pelicans, parrots and other aquatic birds and wildlife. Each craft can hold up to 2 people; boat driver must be 18+ years, life jackets are provided. More info and prices here: Excursion – Boat Adventure

Varasub
Address: Avenida Playa, Varadero. Phone: (54 45) 61 3713 / 66 7027. The 48-passenger glass-bottom boat offers a 90-minute underwater viewing. Drinks (water, soda, beer, rum cocktails), transfers to and from you hotel to the marina, and the services of a guide are included. This semi-submarine takes you to the reefs located off the North coast the Varadero peninsula. The actual viewing time over the coral reef is approximately 30-40 minutes. The boat doesn’t actually submerge but the viewing area is under the water line; it’s the perfect way to discover the beautiful underwater world without getting wet!

Cayo Piedra Underwater Park
Address: Marina Gaviota, Carretera de Las Morlas km 21, Varadero. This park, located in the northeast of the Varadero peninsula, is a real divers and snorkelers paradise. It features a coral reef with tunnels and caves, and several wrecks (ships and planes) that have been sunk there on purpose for recreational exploration. Large schools of colorful tropical fish and crustaceans gather and swim through the wrecks.

Nautilus
Address : Marina Gaviota, Carretera de Las Morlas km 21, Varadero. This is large glass-bottom boat for easy viewing of the coral reef without getting wet.