Many divers are familiar with Cuba's Gardens of the Queen and the fantastic diving there. Now, Oceans for Youth is expanding its offerings in and around Cuba, including future Travel Programs to Zapata and the Isle of Youth.

Here's a preview of what the Isle of Youth has to offer from Oceans for Youth Board Member Wayne B. Brown and photos from Scuba Diving Associate Publisher David Benz.

Q: In a few words, what was the purpose of the trip? What attracted Oceans for Youth to the Isle of Youth?

A: After hearing about the healthy reefs of the Isle of Youth, I had to see if it could benefit from the same type of eco-program we have in other areas with our Oceans For Youth people-to-people license. These eco-programs provide an amazing amount of money directly back to the reefs and marine environment where they are collected to sustain the current environment and continued protection. While it is a National Marine Reserve, additional funds are necessary to ensure 24/7 protection.

Q: How does diving around the Isle of Youth differ from Gardens of the Queen (since many Americans have at least some exposure to that via media if not first-hand). How does it compare to the rest of the Caribbean?

A: The Isle of Youth and Cayos de San Filipe islands have incredible underwater topography where sloping walls come up to 20 feet in a lot of areas providing an interesting dive profile for every dive. If you have been to the Gardens of the Queen, you know that the walls start too deep for recreational diving.

Q: What most surprised you about diving around the Isle of Youth?

A: I was joyously surprised at the amazing health of the reefs in the Isle of Youth. Vast expanses of healthy hard and soft corals with little to no algae is always a pleasure to see. A thriving Cuban marine system that very few have been diving in. The program will also visit the Cayos de Sam Filipe island chains and it’s marine protected areas.

Q: What was your most memorable moment diving the Isle of Youth?

A: It had to be the Embudo de Coral (funnel of coral). The reef starts at 18 feet and has a large crack that coupon like a funnel onto the wall. Very unique seascape and the amount of juvenile Nassau grouper on that dive was wonderful to see.

Q: When will Oceans for Youth begin offering an Isle of Youth itinerary?

A: The Oceans for Youth people-to-people program in the Isle of Youth will start January 2019 and is already becoming very popular!

Check out more photos from the Isle of Youth: