Planning a trip to Cuba in October and was curious if any of the guys on the board had ever been for Spearing or otherwise ??

My Family fled Cuba in the mid 60's, I was born in the Florida and going to Cuba has been a lifelong dream for me. Like many Cubans My parents fled Cuba in the 1960's to give their family an oppurtunity at a better life. As a child, and actually to this very day, The constant stories of the life that was led by all over there (Pre-Castro) has just overwhelmed my curiosity into my heritage and lineage in the old Country. Even after nearly 45 years since my Parents left Cuba there are still nearly 70 relatives that are pretty much strangers to me, and I feel it's my respondsibility to familiarize myself with that part of our family tree. My Family was big into the Commercial fishing business in Cuba back in the day by both Hand reel and " A Pecho", I thought it would be a wonderful oppurtunity to get to meet my extended family as well as the reefs they Fished for generations. This trip also allows me to take much needed money to those that are my own blood yet are no where near as fortunate as I am. Supporting a cummunist regime, I think you may be a little of there Bro....

BigWill, where in Cuba are you going to? What kind of spearfishing did you have in mind, scuba, boat, shore dive, jump off the Malecon? :D

Gitmo puts on a spearfishing tourny every year for service members. check with some of the military guys that work over there they maybe able to point you in the right direction. ---Do what you got to do.

I cannot support you in any way whatsoever traveling to Cuba and supporting a communist Regime.

But it's OK to shop at Wallmart? Almost everything in Walmart comes from China, that would be Communist China by the way. And it's ok to wage a war in Iraq and pay for it with money borrowed from China? :crazy::whistle::slap:

But it's OK to shop at Wallmart? Almost everything in Walmart comes from China, that would be Communist China by the way. And it's ok to wage a war in Iraq and pay for it with money borrowed from China? :crazy::whistle::slap:

My entire family minus a couple cousins and uncles fled Cuba because of the oppressive regime. No one left eager to come here and leave their paradise behind, they left because several of my relatives were killed publicly. So it's a bitter subject. My cousin visited 2 years ago with his university. He told me he broke away from the "Tourist" area and risked going into the town where the Cubans live. He said he will never go again after seeing what they live with, the dreadful conditions, the poverty and the shear fear to express their indivualism. We bring our relatives here to visit. They can relax here and enjoy freedom for a change.
Our dealings with China are despicable. But I pick my battles.
I didn't mean to sound cold or rude, I had many a heated argument with my Candian co-workers when I lived in Toronto that would go and visit Cuba and return bragging about the $600 (canadian) weekling Sandal's like all inclusive ammenities with Airfare!

Speareasy, My plan was to see as much of Havana, Varadero, and mostly Trinidad. My families roots are from an area called "La Boca" in Trinidad, Santi Spiritus that is were I plan to spend most of my time. I'd also like to see the Hemingway marina possibly charter a vessel for 2-3 days and see how good the Fishing and Diving really is. My understanding is that everything (boating, fishing, spearing,diving, just some examples) is available to Tourist's yet the Natives are not allowed any these privileges, unless they are in the company of a tourist. So hopefully I'll have the chance to do all these activities with my extended family, Let's see............

La Habana to Varadero coast is depleted. Except for the eastern beaches From Tarara to Brisas del Mar where there is sand the coast is made up of diente de perro/sharp rocks. Where there is rocky coastline the water gets very deep very fast. I don't know if you spear on scuba or freedive. I used to shore dive all that area. Theoretically you need a license for spearfishing which you get somewhere near Marina Hemingway. It costs cubans around $5 and foreigners around $50. As a foreigner though it is unlikely that you will ever be stopped and even more unlikely to be requested you show a license. The license is a small plastic tag that you can carry in the water with you, different color every year.

Everything is owned by the government including charters. There is a scuba charter boat out of Tarara, just east of Havana, they adamantly refused spearguns on the boat. I think it will be difficult to charter a boat for spearing. If you go the legal route, supporting the regime BTW, the only 2 places you can look around La Habana are Marina Hemingway and Marina Tarara.

I don't remember 100% but spearing on scuba may be illegal. The reason I don't remember is because so many things are illegal but everybody does them anyway including spearing on scuba. I would go "particular" and rather give the money to someone with a catamaran to take me out. They also have guys doing air fills and renting tanks out of their house. However they've been cracking down very hard on guys trying to make a buck like that and losing your boat and dealing with police may just not be worth the risk to them any more.

Remember that in Cuba whenever you're seen with a Cuban automatically that cuban is under suspicion and subject to envy by the rest who do not have access to such a resource. It is an unfortunate consequence of the Castro regime and should not reflect bad on the national character.

IMO a nice dive would be to hook up with an experienced spearo/diver who can direct you to a place with tanks if you need them. Rent an old chevrolet for the day and make a trip to "Puerto Escondido". You can scuba or freedive there from the shore and there is some beautiful bottom structure. It is about an hour drive from Habana.

I've never been to Sancti Spiritus but I had friends from there. They told me it's a boring small town. I'm sure I'd get bored there after 1-2 days. La Habana is where it's at and you'll have a blast si te dejas llevar.

If you go diving with a charter out of Marina Hemingway or Tarara don't let them take you to the reef at Brisas del Mar, or the first drop off, these are newbie places that are quick business for them.

Regardless of all the restrictions and the scarcity of fish it's the place I'd rather be than any place in the world. The visibility is usually very nice.

Deep sea fishing for Marlin, Wahoo and dolphin is excellent if you're in the right season.

If the U.S. ever ends the embargo and we are free to go there...I will be first in line with cash and a real-estate attorney to purchase some beach-front property.

I have never been there, but I am well traveled to many South American countries and when I flew over Cuba on every trip, my mouth watered. I can assume it looks no different than many portions of S. America or even Central America or even some of the islands off our coast and to the south we can travel to.

By the way Rinaldo; Is your wife Cuban as well?

If the U.S. ever ends the embargo and we are free to go there...I will be first in line with cash and a real-estate attorney to purchase some beach-front property.

I have never been there, but I am well traveled to many South American countries and when I flew over Cuba on every trip, my mouth watered. I can assume it looks no different than many portions of S. America or even Central America or even some of the islands off our coast and to the south we can travel to.Essentially the US embargo is in place because Cuba screwed the established American businesses when Castro came into power. In a sense this embargo continues protecting Americans from being screwed again. If you think you can deal with Cubans in Cuba in a normal business like fashion you are in for some losses. If you have experience dealing with Latin American institutions you may be able to swing it, mentioning a real-estate attorney however indicates otherwise :D

By the way Rinaldo; Is your wife Cuban as well?

Yes sir.
Both of us were born here however.

Yes sir.
Both of us were born here however.

So you both are Cuban-Floridian Crackers...

No, I always take a real-estate attorney when it comes to real property. I have found it better to bring one to the table for intimidation as well as for conciseness.

It's a smart move generally speaking. Just as a curiosity be aware that legally foreigners are not allowed to buy real estate property in Cuba. Even the land on which foreign owned hotels are built is leased. Thus rendering the services of an attorney useless for a personal purchase. There has been some very limited construction of homes for sale to foreigners but the price was ridiculous and there are many restrictions, those too were leases. Few are the foreigners who can live a contented life under the Castro regime.

Incidentally Cubans, although own property are not allowed to sell it, not even to other Cubans. If a Cuban wished to relocate he must trade homes with someone who wishes to switch with them. This is a system that was copied from the soviet block. Needless to say there are inticate ways around this but whenever a foreigner is involved its doomed. Best advice you'll ever get if you're thinking Cuba :D

If the U.S. ever ends the embargo and we are free to go there...I will be first in line with cash and a real-estate attorney to purchase some beach-front property.

I have never been there, but I am well traveled to many South American countries and when I flew over Cuba on every trip, my mouth watered. I can assume it looks no different than many portions of S. America or even Central America or even some of the islands off our coast and to the south we can travel to.


I'm sure you're not the only one....My friend has a deed to land that was his grandfather's before Castro took it...He like many other families are going to want back what belong to them,when the old man finally croaks......I dont know what a U.S real estate attorney would be able to do in Cuba with whatever "NEW" government is in power.

Just because the old man croaks I don't know that things will change that quickly. One of the reasons that Castro's regime continues is because Cuba is an island, much more easily controlled and isolated from outside influences as far as the population is concerned.

I'm pretty sure once he's dead, not much will change,I hope it does ...but that makes the Cuban people here and there one step closer to reclaiming what was once their's....

Speareasy, thanks for all the helpful advice I'll definetely check out the area's you mentioned. The relatives I have there can arrange scuba/freediving according to them (inside guy I'm sure). I think that one of my cousin's has a permit to fish out of his own boat, that would be my best route, but only if it doesn't jeopardize him in any way. If not I'll try to set-up a freedive charter somehow..How long has it been since you were in Cuba?

Illicit, you may travel to Cuba as long as you travel via a third party, fly to Mexico, Bahamas,Grand Cayman then to Cuba, I couldn't tell you how many True Blooded Americans I know that have visited Cuba. Apply for a Visa and a re-entry permit and upon there approval you are good to go.

Illicit, you may travel to Cuba as long as you travel via a third party, fly to Mexico, Bahamas,Grand Cayman then to Cuba, I couldn't tell you how many True Blooded Americans I know that have visited Cuba. Apply for a Visa and a re-entry permit and upon there approval you are good to go.

That was true for the previous administration (President Clinton ) but not for this president. It used to be you could pay the cost to a Canadian firm, so you never spent any money while in Cuba and get around the law, not so now, used to be you could sneek in and out by boat, not so anymore. Hell, us customs officials have been known to meet planes in Cancun arriving from Cuba, I would refuse to show them my passport, except Mexican customs are there to aid them (Mexico is scared to death of Cuba being opened to Americans, the loss of tourisim would be huge) The laws havent changed, its the zeal in which they are being enforced, but dont take my word for it, check it out carefully, its going to cost you in the end.

Here is an example;
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19214223/site/newsweek/?nav=slate?from=rss
or;
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19172881/
Michael Moore should qualify as a journalist, (as do politicians) but you have to have aproval and almost no one can get that now.

I cannot support you in any way whatsoever traveling to Cuba and supporting a communist Regime.
There are hundreds of amazing places to go in which you aren't literally helping a govt, that kills innocent people, stay in power.

I don't know what history your family has pre Castro but I can assure you mine and Bigwill's family do not sympathize with the current regime in any way shape or form. My father and uncles fought against Castro en el escambray. If you ask your family who were those guys you will see there is no love lost there. I have two sisters and over 50 other relatives that I haven't even met. I don't see how staying with family, using the local people to get around, and eating at our families homes is supporting a communist regime.

I don't know what history your family has pre Castro but I can assure you mine and Bigwill's family do not sympathize with the current regime in any way shape or form. My father and uncles fought against Castro en el escambray. If you ask your family who were those guys you will see there is no love lost there. I have two sisters and over 50 other relatives that I haven't even met. I don't see how staying with family, using the local people to get around, and eating at our families homes is supporting a communist regime.

I'm not going to get into a debate on this forum. I will however simply clarify my position so it isn't taken as an attack on an individual.
If you were to travel to Cuba and Not spend a DIME I would have not a care in the world and I would support your endeavor.
However, spending even one dime in Cuba is technically supporting the regime because Cuba is communist, there is no individuality. You could potentially endanger your family members by visiting with them and I am sure you will do what you think is best and either give them medicine, money or clothing. How will they explain that?

Everything they have must be accounted for. Communism was meant to create equality amongst the masses. If you give them a new shirt, a crisp dollar or a smile on their face their neighbors will envy them, they'll turn them in etc.
I have seen what Cubans are willing to do to leave that island, I've seen the bodies floating in the ocean. Anything that supports that is not kosher with me.
I didn't mean it as a personal attack in any way. If you are ok with knowing that there is a chance you can imprison your family member for enjoying the things you want to give them go for it. I couldn't do that.
As I said I'd rather bring a family member here and do my best to show them a good time, and hope they'd either decide to try to stay here or at the very least, return to Cuba with the message of what freedom really is. We want the people there to revolt and fight against the system.

Having personal opinions and acting on them are fine but basing them on incorrect information and using that to convince others of one's view point should be addressed. Cuba is not the way you describe it, specifically the part about endangering family or friends by association. It may have been like that before the "periodo especial" of the early 90's but is now a thing of the past. There is concern when an individual appears to have an income from an illegal activity but income from visiting family or gifts from foreigner friends are expected. There may be envy but it's quite negotiable.

Incidentally Cuba survives only because family members from the outside help financially without traveling there. If this were to stop completely IMO the Castro regime would fall quickly. The problem is knowing the reality of Cuba these family members on the outside can't stop helping.

Having personal opinions and acting on them are fine but basing them on incorrect information and using that to convince others of one's view point should be addressed. Cuba is not the way you describe it, specifically the part about endangering family or friends by association. It may have been like that before the "periodo especial" of the early 90's but is now a thing of the past. There is concern when an individual appears to have an income from an illegal activity but income from visiting family or gifts from foreigner friends are expected. There may be envy but it's quite negotiable.

Incidentally Cuba survives only because family members from the outside help financially without traveling there. If this were to stop completely IMO the Castro regime would fall quickly. The problem is knowing the reality of Cuba these family members on the outside can't stop helping.


I stand corrected and being corrected I will stand down.
My apologies for basing my belief on pre 90s sentiment. I haven't been to Cuba so I cannot speak on personal experience.

It's not a big deal Rinaldo. There's a lot of misinformation about Cuba floating aroung and a large part of it is to suit the needs of the US. Cuba actually encourages direct contributions from family members outside of Cuba to their relatives on the inside. The Castro regime makes money in so many ways on this process. Starting with the conversion to convertible pesos, Cuba's answer to the American dollar, and ending with the money being injected back into the economy buying consumer goods that are priced 3 times what they should be. Peace bro.

Rinaldo, that's pretty big of you to apologize, thanks. Speakeasy has it dead on!! Without the support the from the families here, those unfortunate's would have it even rougher than they have it now. If spending a few days with Our family there give's them any sense of hope or happiness it's worth any trouble or cost that we are more than willing to accept. Incedently Teamhookedup is my cousin and in the group going to Cuba.

Let's get back on track anyone else have any info on Cuba, I cant stand to talk politics especially all the BS in Cuba....

I tried 2 years ago to organize a World Wide spearfishing tournament out of Cuba, the Cuban Communist Party denied the event. They dont want any type of spearfishing appractice in there country.[/B]