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In this research the structure of the gorgonians communities is described for several reefs in the north-oriental coast of La Havana, Cuba (23° 09' N, 81° 52' W and 23° 08' N, 81° 48' W). The surveys were realized from December 2002 to February 2003, in stations located in five biotopes (reef crest, coral heads, fore reef slope, spur and grove zone, and river channel). A 1m² frame was used as sampling unit. The most abundant species were Plexaura flexuosa, Gorgonia ventalina and Pseudopterogorgia americana. The highest values of diversity and density were obtained in the spur and grove stations. Also highest percentages of species resistant to sediments were observed in theses stations. In most of the stations gorgonians resistant to hydrodynamic tension where frequents, this can indicate that the perturbations by waves are common. The results based in percentages of species resistant and non-resistant to contamination show a tendency to the increase of water quality through the East of La Havana. The percentage of injured colonies was low (less than 7% of all the sampled colonies) and the stations with more injured colonies were the most affected by waves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]