Jardines de la Reina, Cuba´s marine sanctuary

NAMED BY CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS, THIS GROUP OF ISLANDS IS ONE OF THE BEST PRESERVED ECOSYSTEMS IN THE CARIBBEAN, CONSIDERED BY EXPERTS TO BE AN EXCLUSIVE PARADISE FOR FISHING AND DIVING

The distinguished Genoese sailor would be astonished at the impressive beauty of places of incredible fascination and charm, which Queen Isabella of Castile considered gardens of Her Majesty. Perhaps Admiral Christopher Columbus would analogize the spectacular views of the labyrinth of islands which adorn the horizon with the infinite ranges of the blue and crystalline waters to the Gardens of the Alcázar Fortress of the Christian Monarchs in Cordova, where Columbus went in 1436 in search of financing for his momentous adventure.

Of island formation, Jardines de la Reina is located along more than 360 km of the southern coast of Cuba, between the Gulf of Guacanayabo and the Bay of Casilda, with about 661 keys and small key formations.

Thousands of sessile organisms, fish, crustaceans and marine invertebrates develop here, with adequate biodiversity offsets and stability in the food chain, which has allowed to have a varied representation of our species. In the case of fish, their large size is unusual, as well as the abundance of their populations, which makes this site one of the most spectacular in the world for contemplative diving.

To the north of the first line of keys, spaces of water open up filled with alluvium sediments

coming from the rivers, channels and runoff of the low-lying areas, which carry large amounts of nutrients. Extensive and abundant mangrove swamps border and sometimes close the keys and small keys, sustaining a very special fauna and flora while root tissues constitute true sanctuaries for the reproduction and growth of the most incredible fish and marine organisms. It is normal to see hutias getting into the water and swimming toward new spaces to alternate between feeders, and have succulent mangrove shoots.

In some of the little beaches, perhaps used to human presence, they approach with caution and calmness searching for a crust of bread or a piece of fruit, surrounded by hermit crabs who crowd on West Indian top shells, leaving marks on the sand behind the remains of food.

The anhingas and great blue herons reveal the location of their nests in the green weave

of the mangrove swamp by following the trail of their white evacuation in the areas chosen for nesting.

The characteristic silhouette of the Brown Pelican is almost iconic: flying over the waters and constantly diving in pursuit of schools of sardines, anchovies and whitebaits, which travel in large schools in shallow water and navigable channels.

Ensenachos, with "straits" that constitute a true siphon at the mercy of the tides, exhibits several areas of marine biotopes, ranging from spaces of very slow-moving water to channels with currents of considerable speed.

Due to their geoformation, some of these keys have special conditions to retain fresh water from rain, which is accessed directly from the surface of small lakes, "casimbas" or wells generally caused by human action.

Kilometers and kilometers of white-sand beaches are the setting at different times of the year for a stampede and race to life of thousands of small turtles that leave the warmth of their “layings” under the sand to go to the infinite sea.

This paradise has always fascinated men and women. Few places in the world treasure such an interesting, close and friendly relationship between human beings and nature as a result of the elimination of commercial fishing more than 20 years ago, a decision that contributes to hand down to future generations a true paradise, a garden fit for a queen.