Feb 11-18, 2010 - Marea del Portillo

INTRODUCTION:
Delve into the underwater mysteries of Marea del Portillo, Cuba on an exclusive eco-snorkelling adventure! Your home for a week is situated in a secluded and unspoiled sheltered bay of black sands surrounded by the Sierra Maestra Mountains and bordered by coconut palms and exotic flora. Explore the coral reefs and mangroves with a marine biologist where a profusion of tropical fish and sponges abound. Learn about the delicate life of underwater creatures through hands-on snorkeling adventures and informative lectures from a talented team. Be directly involved in an international project of a coral reef monitoring program for a leading non-profit environmental organization (Project Aware). Even have the chance to be filmed in action for an upcoming documentary! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn, experience and contribute to the protection of our coral reef ecosystems while enjoying a truly unique vacation adventure.

Escort and director Sharilyn Kennedy
Sharilyn Kennedy graduated with honors from the University of Guelph with a Bachelor of Science in Marine
and Fresh Water Biology. During this time she studied in New Brunswick and Barbados where she examined
oceanography, tropical marine biology and aquatic toxicology. Excluding Canada, She has been diving in
Malaysia, Japan, Puerto Rico, Italy, Barbados and most recently Cuba. She has enjoyed snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef and the second longest reef in the world in Belize. Sharilyn also worked in the aquatic ecology lab at Queens University in Kingston, Ontario. She was tasked with identifying zooplankton and invasive species of the Great Lakes watershed. Sharilyn currently resides in Kingston Ontario where she is a member of Dr. Kenn Feigelman’s Deep Quest/2 Exploration team and a master’s student in biology at Queen’s University.

Eco-package includes:
• Charter air Toronto to Manzanillo de Cuba
• Transfers to/from resort to airport
• Accommodations with an all inclusive meal and activity program
• 5 eco-snorkel excursions that include a mangrove tour, night snorkel
• An inter-tidal walking adventure
• Information presentations on marine life, reef protection and Project Aware
• All snorkeling equipment and instruction (if needed)
• Project Aware information package including monitoring guide
• Waterproof fish and coral identification charts
• Waterproof flashlight
• P&G Eco-Snorkel T-Shirt
• Full services of a dedicated marine biologist and snorkeling team members including local expert dive-guides

Package

starts from $1295 for double occupancy

at Marea Del Portillo Hotel
depending on room selected. Single supplement is available.

Not included: Personal expenses and gratuities, travel insurance (medical and cancellation), Cuban departure tax paid locally CUC 25 upon departure and Canadian departure taxes $210.

Guide to Playa Marea del Portillo
Marea del Portillo is the most important tourist resort in the Granma province.

Located on the Southeast coast of Cuba, the famous Marea del Portillo Beach is at the foothills of the Sierra Maestra Mountains. This provides a dramatic backdrop to the exotic black sand beach that stretches over 2 km. Not far from Marea on the road to Santiago de Cuba you will come across an amazing view of the highest mountain in Cuba, 2005m Pico Turquino.

Also close to Marea del Portillo lies the Desembarco del Granma (Granma Landing) National Park, which was declared a World's Natural Heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The beautiful El Salto Waterfalls is about two hours from Marea del Portillo.

In addition, just 500 meters away from the beach is Cayo Blanco, a small islet considered an ideal place for romantic people and boasting exceptional sea bottoms.

You can dive to an old Galleon with 36 canyons and their characteristic round balls, as well as other of the ships belonging to the squad of Cervera, the "Christopher Columbus" which still shows a high degree of preservation.

Towards Cabo Cruz, in the Southeast edge of the eastern region, fabulous sceneries open up around the coral reef located here with moose horns corals, sea fan and all sort of fish that you can admire due to the existence of Marea del Portillo diving center.

If you accommodate in any of the hotels of Marea del Portillo, you will be able to discover the charms of Cayo Blanco and its underwater beauties as well as to access to the facilities and services that its marinas offer.