Orlando Fernández De La Crúz was born in Santurce, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

When he decided to attempt the crossing of the Strait of Gibraltar, he requested and received the help and training of Pedro Díaz.

[1] In 2008, Fernández swam 12 hours straight during his participation in "100 x 35", a TV program directed by Julián Gil.

[4] On May 19, 2011, Fernández departed from Cadiz, Spain, and swam the Strait for three hours and 57 minutes covering a distance of 18 kilometers in 65 °F waters.

Fernandez plans on swimming from Vieques to Palmas del Mar in Humacao, in a benefit drive to help the Children with Cancer Foundation.