Jardines del Rey Dive Sites and Map Location
The underwater surroundings Jardines del Rey treasure more than 30 diving spots that include coral reefs, sponge and Gorgonian colonies, as well as subaquatic tunnels and caves where varied species of the local fauna can be observed.
Its coral reef runs for over 32 km. (20 miles), most of it is 10 meters (33 feet) deep, thus forming coral "bands". There are many and well-developed sponges, gorgonians and corals, but the main attraction is the variety of fish. Just a few sites in the Caribbean can compare to this seabed, so any diver can feel if diving in an aquarium.
Divers should visit sites like Jaula I, II, III and IV, situated in a large area that is between 17 and 30 meters (56 and 98 feet) deep, so that they can enjoy big black groupers, nassau groupers, dog snappers.
Las Coloradas, which is 12 meters (39 feet) deep, is another site where there exist many species of fish. Tarpons, jacks, dogfish, parrotfish, and shoals of grunts, yellowtail fish and schoolmasters can be easily found in this area.
The most exciting site in Cayo Coco is, beyond any doubt, Los Tiburones. It is located in a big coral hillock bottom crossed by tunnels and narrow channels. Divers will find barracudas, horse-eye jacks, crevalle jacks, bar jacks, also grunts, dogfish, groupers and yellowtail snappers for feeding practices, and several kinds of two-meter-long (65 feet) sharks that swim peacefully around or rest on the bottom.
Dive Sites Map Location
La Jaula Depth: 30 meters
Enormously attractive, this site combines big gorgonians, sponges in variegated shapes and colors, large snappers (Lutjanus sp.), groupers (Epinephelus sp.), stingrays (Dasyatis sp.) and eagle rays (Aetobatus narinari). Quite often, reef sharks (Carcharhinus sp.) and nurse sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum) roam the area.
Las Coloradas Depth: 12 meters
This zone has a very irregular bottom, with small caves, crevices and tunnels, large gorgonians and sea fans forming a massive boulder populated by schools of curious tarpon (Megalops atlantica), big parrot fish (Scarus sp.), queen angelfish (Holocanthus ciliaris),angelfish (Pomacanthus sp.) and a great variety of tiny coral fish.
Casasa Depth: 5 meters
The coral bottom here is interrupted by sandy stretches. The biggest attraction is the presence of great barracudas (Sphyraena barracuda), several species of turtles, stingrays (Dasyatis sp.), and schools of grunts (Haemulon sp.), schoolmaster (Lutjanus apodus) and other coral fish species.
Los Tiburones Depth: 16 meters
A zone formed by large rocks of coral origin communicating through narrow passages at their base in which reef sharks (Carcharhinus sp.) make their way. There are also numerous groupers (Ephinephelus sp.), snappers (Lutianus sp.), several species of barjacks (Caranx ruber), horse-eyejacks (Caranx latus) and many medium-size coral fish.