Farallon is one of the dives that gives Jardines de la Reina more than its well-known shark encounters. The site is formed by a large coral mountain split by four tunnels, creating a route through shaded passages before the dive opens back onto the reef. Sponges and corals line the structure, while large groupers, tarpon and Caribbean reef sharks provide the bigger-animal interest.

The top of the formation is around 17 metres and the main recreational route reaches approximately 29–31 metres. This makes Farallon better suited to an intermediate diver who has good buoyancy and is comfortable following a guide through overhead swim-throughs. The tunnels are not a place to rush or overtake. Divers should maintain space, avoid touching the coral and carry a torch to see the detail without relying entirely on another diver’s light.

Farallon is reached as part of a Jardines de la Reina liveaboard trip. The remote archipelago is too far offshore for ordinary daily diving from mainland resorts. Living close to the sites allows several dives per day, and the tender crew can select the safest route around current, visibility and the experience of the group. It also avoids spending valuable diving time repeatedly crossing from the Cuban coast.

For a contrasting wall dive, Pipin combines coral canyons with sharks, turtles and passing rays. Black Coral places more emphasis on black coral colonies and shark activity. Linking these sites within one itinerary is one of the advantages of staying in the marine park rather than treating Farallon as an isolated dive.

Night dives are offered on some Jardines de la Reina programmes, but the crew chooses a suitable sheltered site and Farallon should not automatically be assumed. A dive computer, torch and surface marker buoy are important equipment, and nitrox is useful for repetitive diving when properly certified.

SeaCrush’s Jardines de la Reina guide describes Farallon’s coral formation and tunnels. You can compare Cuba liveaboards to find an itinerary visiting the Gardens of the Queen.