ScubaLibre Varadero
ScubaLibre Varadero
5
Scuba & SnorkellingShark DivingPrivate ToursNature & Wildlife ToursDay Trips
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About
Scubalibre Varadero Diving Club offers several Scuba Diving Courses. Graduates will earn their International Certificates, including Discovery Courses (resort course). Our tours include; Reef Snorkeling tours, Reef dives, wrecks, caves, wall, deep, and night dives to depths of up to 131feet (40 meters).
Varadero, Cuba
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Awards
Travellers' Choice
2024
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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5.0
528 reviews
Excellent
492
Very good
25
Average
7
Poor
1
Terrible
4
TimeTraveller55
Banff, Canada56 contributions
Dec 2019
My son and I had a great diving experience with Scuba Libre. I had pre-booked three days of diving, one of which was to be at the Bay of Pigs and two days near Varadero where we were staying. But the weather wasn't great near Varadero so the location was changed to the Bay of Pigs for all of the dives. Despite the long drive, we were grateful for the location change as diving conditions were much calmer at the Bay of Pigs where the diving is also better. Scuba Libre arranged for pickup at our resort, and provided all the gear we needed. Carlos and Isabelle were great dive leaders with clear instructions and attention to all of the divers throughout the dives. They knew the dive sites well and we felt very safe. The shore support was excellent as well with the tanks, BCDs, regulators etc. prepared for us. I was concerned about diving in Cuba because of the reputation for marginal quality equipment, but Scuba Libre's equipment was first rate and as good as anything I've used on dives in the US and Caribbean. Because the drivers stayed with our bags and other non-diving gear on shore, our belongings were safe while we were diving. Between dives, Scuba Libre provided some snacks, but we were happy that we brought some sandwiches as well for the long day. Because of the long drive to the Bay of Pigs (2.5hrs), I was pleased with the quality of driving for the two drivers we had. Overall a great experience with Scuba Libre that I would recommend highly.
Written January 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dannelle
1 contribution
Nov 2019
Did a snorkel trip in November 2019 - travelled in style in a vintage car. The trip ended up taking nearly the entire day returned to the resort closer to 4PM. Our guide went above and beyond even stopping to get us a lighter when we indicated we weren't able to get one at the resort. Overall would definitely recommend, although it wouldn't hurt to bring a snack because it is a long day and there is nowhere to get food until you head to the Saturno cave on the way back to Veradero. We also quite enjoyed swimming in the Saturno Cave.
Written May 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lena X
1 contribution
Mar 2023
I had initially booked the Coral Beach & Saturn Cave Snorkeling Adventure. However, due to an issue with their move to a new booking system, my booking did not register on their end. Consequently, the tour had already left on the day of our booking when they realized. However, we got rescheduled to the next day to the Bay of Pigs of tour as the waters in Varadero were very choppy compared to the Caribbean Sea. Although the ride was long, they had actually booked a taxi just for my partner and me on a private tour with the instructor to make up for the mishap. This turned out to be a nice intimate experience for us. During the ride, the instructor even made a stop to get mangoes from a local vendor which we got to try after snorkelling in the Bay of Pigs. It was a pleasant surprise as there were no mangoes at our resort. We got to see a lot of different cool fish at the Bay of Pigs!
After snorkelling, our instructor offered us the possibility of dining at a local Cuban restaurant for an additional cost which I would recommend as the food is much better than what you can get at a resort. My favourite meals during my trip to Cuba were when I dined outside of the resort. The restaurant was very mom and pop, which made it feel very authentic. We got lobster, crab and beef!
Overall, I would recommend the experience to those wanting to enhance their trip in Cuba!
After snorkelling, our instructor offered us the possibility of dining at a local Cuban restaurant for an additional cost which I would recommend as the food is much better than what you can get at a resort. My favourite meals during my trip to Cuba were when I dined outside of the resort. The restaurant was very mom and pop, which made it feel very authentic. We got lobster, crab and beef!
Overall, I would recommend the experience to those wanting to enhance their trip in Cuba!
Written April 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for sharing your experience with the Coral Beach & Saturn Cave Snorkeling Adventure. We are sorry to hear about the issue with the booking system, but we are glad to know that our team was able to provide you with a private tour to make up for it. It's great to hear that you had a nice and intimate experience with your partner and the instructor during the ride to the Bay of Pigs, and that you enjoyed trying out the local mangoes and seeing the different fish during the snorkeling tour.
We also appreciate your recommendation to dine at a local Cuban restaurant, as it provides a more authentic experience and better food compared to resort dining. It's good to know that you enjoyed the mom and pop restaurant, and the variety of seafood and beef dishes offered there.
Thank you again for choosing our snorkeling adventure and for taking the time to share your positive review. We hope to have the opportunity to provide you with more enjoyable experiences in the future!
Written April 22, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
StruckLucky
Manchester, UK8 contributions
Dec 2019 • Friends
We reserved the 2x Certified Shore Dives at the Bacunayagua dive site through the ScubaLibre website with VC Tours. I would not recommend diving with ScubaLibre for the following reasons listed below. The cost of the dives was 80 CUC per person, of which we were required to pay 15% (12.5 CUC) in advance to reserve our booking.
The cost included collection from our Airbnb which we had prearranged. Yet, on the day of, the collection car was 40 minutes late and it was difficult contacting the company due to lack of internet access in Cuba. Finally, we were collected and told that the dive site was not actually in Varadero, but on the north coast some 1.5 hours away to the west, half way between Varadero and Havana. When we arrived at the dive site, our dive instructor Carlos seemed very erratic and impatient, giving snappy instructions and appearing annoyed with us 4 clients. Furthermore, the diving at the Bucanayagua site was very uninspiring with very little marine life to be seen. Maximum depth reached was only 10m, which we could have experienced just by snorkelling at the same sight, whilst paying a fraction of the price. Also, during the dive, Carlos made no effort to point out interesting marine life or guide us in any way. The equipment provided was averagely maintained. The mask I was provided caused me significant problems during my dive as it would not make an adequate seal on my face, resulting in a leaky mask for most of the dive. Carlos seemed very condescending when providing instructions and seemed annoyed at our presence there. It seemed as though the whole setup was a bit like a diving factory and not much though or effort was given to providing paying divers with a satisfactory experience. Overall, I would not recommend as I believe we could have experienced the same, if not better diving in a better location simply by snorkelling instead, for a fraction of the price. If you want quality diving, don’t dive at Bucanayagua.
The cost included collection from our Airbnb which we had prearranged. Yet, on the day of, the collection car was 40 minutes late and it was difficult contacting the company due to lack of internet access in Cuba. Finally, we were collected and told that the dive site was not actually in Varadero, but on the north coast some 1.5 hours away to the west, half way between Varadero and Havana. When we arrived at the dive site, our dive instructor Carlos seemed very erratic and impatient, giving snappy instructions and appearing annoyed with us 4 clients. Furthermore, the diving at the Bucanayagua site was very uninspiring with very little marine life to be seen. Maximum depth reached was only 10m, which we could have experienced just by snorkelling at the same sight, whilst paying a fraction of the price. Also, during the dive, Carlos made no effort to point out interesting marine life or guide us in any way. The equipment provided was averagely maintained. The mask I was provided caused me significant problems during my dive as it would not make an adequate seal on my face, resulting in a leaky mask for most of the dive. Carlos seemed very condescending when providing instructions and seemed annoyed at our presence there. It seemed as though the whole setup was a bit like a diving factory and not much though or effort was given to providing paying divers with a satisfactory experience. Overall, I would not recommend as I believe we could have experienced the same, if not better diving in a better location simply by snorkelling instead, for a fraction of the price. If you want quality diving, don’t dive at Bucanayagua.
Written January 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Auriane
4 contributions
May 2022 • Solo
Amazing diving experience with Scubalibre in Varadero!
This was my first time diving and I was a bit anxious about it. But Yuri, my instructor, was extremely helpful, he gave me really good and professional training at the start and me relax while under the water, which really made me feel safe and comfortable.
The dive itself was beyond expectations for a first time diving. I was not expecting to get a chance to dive so quickly in the open water and get to see so many submarine wild life! Yuri was also taking pictures, so I recommend bringing an extra €10 euros to make sure you do not miss on an opportunity for amazing pictures.
I could honestly not hope for a better first diving experience, I recommend 100% Scubalibre 😊
This was my first time diving and I was a bit anxious about it. But Yuri, my instructor, was extremely helpful, he gave me really good and professional training at the start and me relax while under the water, which really made me feel safe and comfortable.
The dive itself was beyond expectations for a first time diving. I was not expecting to get a chance to dive so quickly in the open water and get to see so many submarine wild life! Yuri was also taking pictures, so I recommend bringing an extra €10 euros to make sure you do not miss on an opportunity for amazing pictures.
I could honestly not hope for a better first diving experience, I recommend 100% Scubalibre 😊
Written May 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JeffCanada
Canada139 contributions
Dec 2022
Had a very good day diving with Scuba Libre. They picked me up at my hotel in Varadero and we drove 2+ hours to Bay of Pigs. I was the odd one out in a car with 5 guys, 4 of who spoke excellent Spanish. The driver was excellent, and I was glad for that because there were no seatbelts in that 1950s Chevy.
My divemaster was George and he was absolutely the best divemaster I've ever had. Loved the dives as there was a great diversity of sea life and everything was taken care of by the team. George and the team don't ask you to do anything but stay safe and have fun.
Only thing I wish was that I had packed a lunch (I read that we would stop somewhere to eat and we didn't) also, and recommend you don't pay fully in advance beyond the deposit - bring US Cash if you can. This dive was a gift to me and we had an awkward conversation on the ride back where they tried to get me to pay even though I knew the whole package had already been paid for. It took some time to explain to them that there was no amount owing, though I did also give George a big tip. This misunderstanding was an exception to an otherwise amazing day of diving.
My divemaster was George and he was absolutely the best divemaster I've ever had. Loved the dives as there was a great diversity of sea life and everything was taken care of by the team. George and the team don't ask you to do anything but stay safe and have fun.
Only thing I wish was that I had packed a lunch (I read that we would stop somewhere to eat and we didn't) also, and recommend you don't pay fully in advance beyond the deposit - bring US Cash if you can. This dive was a gift to me and we had an awkward conversation on the ride back where they tried to get me to pay even though I knew the whole package had already been paid for. It took some time to explain to them that there was no amount owing, though I did also give George a big tip. This misunderstanding was an exception to an otherwise amazing day of diving.
Written January 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us, Jeff. We are glad to hear that you had a good day diving with us and that you were impressed with the beautiful Bay of Pigs and the diversity of sea life. We are also thrilled to hear that you had an excellent divemaster, George, who made your dives enjoyable and safe.
We apologize for any confusion regarding the lunch stop and for the awkward conversation about the payment on the way back. We strive to provide a smooth and enjoyable experience for all our customers and we are sorry that we fell short in this regard.
We appreciate your feedback and will work to make sure that similar misunderstandings do not occur in the future. Thank you for your understanding and for choosing Viva Scuba Libre.
Written February 8, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ilias Chantzakos
Düsseldorf, Germany204 contributions
Oct 2022
We booked a double-dive (90USD) and snorkeling (40USD) trip with Scubalibre in October 2022.
We were picked up on time from our hotel and driven for ~2 hours to the Bay of Pigs (Punta Perdiz) in a 1950s American car, which was a fantastic (if not very comfortable) experience on its own.
The waters at the bay were calm and crystal clear (no waves or currents, great visibility), the 30m/100ft wall dive was rewarding, and snorkeling off the coast was also very interesting with lots of different fish and corals to be seen easily.
Our guide/dive master (George?) was kind and informative.
I would highly recommend ScubaLibre for diving in Cuba!
We were picked up on time from our hotel and driven for ~2 hours to the Bay of Pigs (Punta Perdiz) in a 1950s American car, which was a fantastic (if not very comfortable) experience on its own.
The waters at the bay were calm and crystal clear (no waves or currents, great visibility), the 30m/100ft wall dive was rewarding, and snorkeling off the coast was also very interesting with lots of different fish and corals to be seen easily.
Our guide/dive master (George?) was kind and informative.
I would highly recommend ScubaLibre for diving in Cuba!
Written October 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marcus H
East Harling, UK30 contributions
Oct 2024 • Solo
I booked 2 dives with scuba libre varadero to playa coral/coral beach & I have to say they were a couple of best dives I’ve had for awhile they were so relaxing ,the dive site(coral beach) wasn’t far from my hotel it was me & a young lady from Columbia & our guide just the right numbers…lol.
I chose scuba libre varadero because I’m a member of scuba libre Wymondham Norfolk also wanted a t-shirt lol.
I was picked up from my hotel on time in a classic cuban 50’s car fantastic normally it’s a rusty truck,van or car did feel abit bad getting in it for return trip still damp from my dives but no where at site to change into dry clothes.
You can rent dive equipment as part of the price but I bought my own regs because i use a full face mask I won’t go back ..lol anyway the bcd looked well maintained n looked after also the other equipment I saw was the same.
Coral beach was a typical beach dive site busy with divers kitting up but plenty of room you also have groups of people snorkelling that might get in your way I nearly got stood on by one at the end of my last dive god knows how they didn’t see me in a metre of water .
A bit ruff getting in to start with & putting on my fins had help from our guide then under we went we started about 2 metres then made our way out into deeper water there was current move forward 1 then back 2 I’ve never kicked so much like I did on these 2 dives but the further out we went the current disappeared.
The dives wasn’t anything exciting as far as things to see typical coral fish some large lion fish hidden under the coral hangs put my torch on in the over hangs to search them out.got down to 15-16m & was under about an hour .
Like I said these 2 dives were some of the best dives I’ve done for awhile simply because of how relaxing it was .
If you are looking at doing the bay of pigs I think it would be worth it we went there on a day out there are a large amount of fish hanging out due to them being fed bread but it is about 2 hours from the grand Aston which is where we were .
In conclusion I would highly recommend scuba libre varadero for his friendliness ,professionalism & the prices the t-shirts are good as well $20 check them out.
I chose scuba libre varadero because I’m a member of scuba libre Wymondham Norfolk also wanted a t-shirt lol.
I was picked up from my hotel on time in a classic cuban 50’s car fantastic normally it’s a rusty truck,van or car did feel abit bad getting in it for return trip still damp from my dives but no where at site to change into dry clothes.
You can rent dive equipment as part of the price but I bought my own regs because i use a full face mask I won’t go back ..lol anyway the bcd looked well maintained n looked after also the other equipment I saw was the same.
Coral beach was a typical beach dive site busy with divers kitting up but plenty of room you also have groups of people snorkelling that might get in your way I nearly got stood on by one at the end of my last dive god knows how they didn’t see me in a metre of water .
A bit ruff getting in to start with & putting on my fins had help from our guide then under we went we started about 2 metres then made our way out into deeper water there was current move forward 1 then back 2 I’ve never kicked so much like I did on these 2 dives but the further out we went the current disappeared.
The dives wasn’t anything exciting as far as things to see typical coral fish some large lion fish hidden under the coral hangs put my torch on in the over hangs to search them out.got down to 15-16m & was under about an hour .
Like I said these 2 dives were some of the best dives I’ve done for awhile simply because of how relaxing it was .
If you are looking at doing the bay of pigs I think it would be worth it we went there on a day out there are a large amount of fish hanging out due to them being fed bread but it is about 2 hours from the grand Aston which is where we were .
In conclusion I would highly recommend scuba libre varadero for his friendliness ,professionalism & the prices the t-shirts are good as well $20 check them out.
Written November 10, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John
Montreal, Canada3 contributions
Feb 2023
We had a great experience with Scuba Libre! The service was very personalized and laid back but professional. Our guide, Evelin, was knowledgeable and very patient. The reef itself is pure magic, hundreds of fish, crystal clear water and minutes from fun wonky rocky stair entrance. Plus, our guide snapped a bunch of super photos for us! I highly recommend using ScubaLibre - you will not be disappointed!
Written February 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with ScubaLibre, Johnny. We are thrilled to hear that you had a perfect snorkeling adventure with our personalized and professional service. Evelin is truly knowledgeable and patient, and we are glad that she was able to make your experience even more memorable. We take pride in our beautiful reef and are glad that you appreciated its magic. Our team is always happy to snap some great photos for our guests to take home as memories. Thank you for recommending us, and we hope to see you again soon for another adventure!
Written March 31, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Steven F
1 contribution
Apr 2024 • Family
George arrived at my hotel promptly at 8 am and in one of the awesome old chevys Cuba is known for. A quick 25 min drive and me and my two sons arrived for our discovery scuba dive. There was only the three of us, George and Carlos the driver. George spoke excellent English. We arrived at a small area just off the reef.
George did an excellent job covering all the gear and the do’s and dont’s for our dive. The gear was all in great condition. The reef was amazing. We saw a ton of fish and George was constantly pointing out everything as we went. We were all new to diving and George was very patient and helpful with us all while we figured it out, always felt safe and George was always right there. We chose to do a second dive on the reef and it did not disappoint. Now that we all knew what to do and expect we were really able to enjoy the reef and all of its awesomeness on the second dive, I highly recommend this if doing your first discovery dive.
On the second dive we swam through a small cave/opening, saw several puffer fish, and many colourful schools of fish in all shapes and sizes were constantly surrounding us. Getting in and out is a little tricky but George is there, be sure to listen and take his help and you won’t have issues. It’s the ocean and there are waves so you need to take care.
We finished our day at the small cantina just beside with a fresh cooked lobster sandwich and lemonade, Eric was so friendly and the food was awesome. We were back at the hotel by 1 pm,
If you are on the fence about taking this trip don’t be. It was overall an amazing experience. George and Carlos are amazing and they take excellent care of you. Bring a few bucks to spend at the cantina or browse the little shop, these are locals and they really need the business. George will also take you to a great local place for a beer or two on the way back. Thanks George and Carlos, hope to be back again!!
One small note, if you are expecting some fancy operation here, stay on the resort this isn’t for you, but it is exactly what I wanted and George delivered!!
George did an excellent job covering all the gear and the do’s and dont’s for our dive. The gear was all in great condition. The reef was amazing. We saw a ton of fish and George was constantly pointing out everything as we went. We were all new to diving and George was very patient and helpful with us all while we figured it out, always felt safe and George was always right there. We chose to do a second dive on the reef and it did not disappoint. Now that we all knew what to do and expect we were really able to enjoy the reef and all of its awesomeness on the second dive, I highly recommend this if doing your first discovery dive.
On the second dive we swam through a small cave/opening, saw several puffer fish, and many colourful schools of fish in all shapes and sizes were constantly surrounding us. Getting in and out is a little tricky but George is there, be sure to listen and take his help and you won’t have issues. It’s the ocean and there are waves so you need to take care.
We finished our day at the small cantina just beside with a fresh cooked lobster sandwich and lemonade, Eric was so friendly and the food was awesome. We were back at the hotel by 1 pm,
If you are on the fence about taking this trip don’t be. It was overall an amazing experience. George and Carlos are amazing and they take excellent care of you. Bring a few bucks to spend at the cantina or browse the little shop, these are locals and they really need the business. George will also take you to a great local place for a beer or two on the way back. Thanks George and Carlos, hope to be back again!!
One small note, if you are expecting some fancy operation here, stay on the resort this isn’t for you, but it is exactly what I wanted and George delivered!!
Written April 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi there, I have never diving before - I'm not a very strong swimmer either. Is there a class for someone new like me? Also do you recommend for people who doesn't swim as well?
How soon in advance do we have to book and what is the price for April/May 2022? Thanks in advance!
Written March 28, 2022
Hello,
Thank you for considering Scubalibre Varadero, please visit us at our website for all the details, you can also contact us at info @ scubalibrevaradero. com
Written April 3, 2022
I am booked for 4 days of diving in 2 weeks time. I will be bringing my own equipment. How do you handle rinsing of gear after the dives? Do you have rinse tanks available at the dive locations, at your home base, or do I need to ensure that I have rinsing facilities at my hotel? I will be staying at an all inclusive resort. Thanks!
Written February 2, 2020
Hi,
You can leave your gear with us at the end of the dives we will rinsing and bring it back to your the next day ready for the dives.
Mention it to carlos the first day of the service.
Kind regards
Written February 4, 2020
Здравствуйте!Сколько стоит погружение?Я хочу сделать людям на отдыхе подарок
Written November 27, 2019
I will be doing a dive with ScubaLibre in a few weeks. Is it okay to bring along a bag of personal items (money, cell phone (for pics), camera)? Or is it better to leave that behind at your casa?
Written August 13, 2019
We took a bag with personal items, no problem at all. Make sure you take a towel also. Definitely take some money - you will want it to buy something to eat (or pack a lunch). We also took our cel phones for pics - some beautiful scenery. Enjoy!!!
Written August 27, 2019
Buenos días. Soy scuba diver advance. Me gustaría saber cuánto cuesta una inmersión. Gracias
Written August 10, 2019
Saludos!
Muchas gracias por considerar Scubalibre Varadero
Puede contactarnos a scubalibre @ scubalibrevaradero. com para poder brindarles toda la informacion.
Saludos
Written August 10, 2019
Hola, queria consultar dan una clase para principiantes? Gracias. Saludos!
Written December 23, 2018
Hola muchas gracias por considerar Scubalibre varadero.
Puede contactarnos por nuestro email para toda la informacion.
scubalibre @ scubalibrevaradero. com
Saludos
Written December 24, 2018
A Tripadvisor member
Troyes, France
Bonjour, Jacques10F. Que vouBonjour.
Dans la chambre, le frigo est-il ravitaillé tout les jours
et si les boissons bien variées (ex…eau, Bières, jus de fruits, ect…)
Merci .
Cordialement. Le 18 décembre 2018
Written December 17, 2018
A Tripadvisor member
Troyes, France
Bonjour.
Quelle différence il y a entre Starfish Cuatro Palmas et le las palmas
Merci
Cordialement le 18 décembre 2018
Written December 17, 2018
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