Cuba best snorkeling places – 10 spots not to miss out

Cuba, a breath-taking Caribbean destination with sandy beaches and crystal-clear water, is one of the world’s most exotic islands and a paradise for snorkelers. The archipelago’s coral reefs are teeming with life: plenty of tropical fish, sharks, dolphins, and turtles are waiting for visitors to explore them. To find the best conditions for some underwater adventure, let me tell you what Cuba’s best snorkeling places are!

When to go snorkeling in Cuba?

Cuba is the largest Caribbean Island. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea where the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean meet. The climate is tropical, moderated by trade winds that blow year-round. There are two main seasons: the dry runs from November to April, and the rainy begins in May and ends in October. Tropical storms (sometimes hurricanes) are common from August to October; these months are not suggested for visiting the island.

For the best conditions, schedule your Cuba snorkeling trip between December and April when the weather is mostly sunny, and the chance of rain and hurricanes is low. The average air temperature is 25-27C/77-81F in this period of the year. The sea temperatures are between 24.5-25.5 °C (76-78 °F) from Jan to March and 27-28 °C (81-82,5 °F) in April and May.

If you wish to do some sightseeing besides water activities, the best time to come is between December and February, when it is not too warm during the day, so you can enjoy excursions. If snorkeling (and diving) is the main priority, book your trip after March. This is when the weather warms up beautifully, but note that it is the busiest period in Cuba.

Related post: Best snorkeling places in the Caribbean

Top 10 Cuba’s best snorkeling places

You will be right on this island if you are a fanatic snorkeler who can spend long hours in the water. The list of Cuba’s best snorkeling places is endless, and I agree that it is not easy to decide which is the best among the many lovely beaches and amazing underwater landscapes, but let’s start with the 10 best ones:

Maria la Gorda

Maria la Gorda is probably one of the least accessible spots among Cuba’s best snorkeling places, so it is less visited. This biosphere reserve on the western end of the island features a great variety of fauna and a beautiful underwater view. You find here caves and historical shipwrecks, as well as different types of reef fish, sharks, murrains, and interesting black corals.

Those who wish to stay longer can stay at the on-site Maria la Gorda hotel. The property is an old state-owned vacation resort that nowadays offers simple accommodation mainly for divers, so don’t expect luxury here.

Cayo Santa Maria

Cayo Santa Maria (located in the central part of Cuba) definitely has to be on your travel itinerary when looking for excellent snorkeling in Cuba. The area offers unspoiled beaches, shallow reefs, and turquoise lagoons with a varied underwater landscape featuring walls and huge coral formations. Snorkeling all along the main beach is possible, but the area in front of the Melia Buenavista Hotel is the best!

Jibacoa Bay

This bay offers great snorkeling for beginners and people who love swimming in shallow water. There is a small reef very close to the beach, where you can observe several fish species, eels, and crabs. This gorgeous bay is the favorite of nature lovers. It is truly a piece of paradise with amazing things to see under and above the surface as well.

The best part of the reef lies just between the Hotel Villa Tropico and Memories Jibacoa All-inclusive Resort so consider staying at one of these hotels so you will have easy access to the best places to snorkel. If you are looking for some excellent snorkeling in Cuba, be sure the Jibacoa Bay is on your list!

Related posts:
– Grand Cayman snorkeling
– Snorkel spots in Tobago

Playa Esmeralda

This lovely resort town on the northern coast of Holguin is ideal for families. The beach has easy access to the water, but since it is rocky, wearing water shoes is suggested. Not far from the shore, there is a fantastic coral reef in shallow water where schools of squids and colorful fish will entertain and amaze the kids and adults as well.

Guardalavaca

Just about 10 miles from Playa Esmeralda, another lovely beach is recommended for those who love exploring the ocean. There are small coral patches and fish to see close in the shallow water, and the main reef is just about 150 meters far from the shore, offering excellent snorkeling conditions.

The town of Guardalavaca on the northern coast is a popular tourist area thanks to its close proximity to the Holguin Airport. The area’s most popular hotel is the 5-star Hotel Brisas Guardalavaca, but it is easy to find accommodation near the Guardalavaca beach in all price ranges.

Bay of Pigs

The Bay of Pigs is an isolated inlet on Cuba’s southern coast, the Zapata Peninsula, in the Gulf of Cazones. This area is known as the real side of Cuba with its lovely, laid-back towns such as Playa Larga and Playa Giron. The coast here is fringed by an abundant reef that runs just about 100 meters far from the shore, featuring some of Cuba’s best snorkeling places, which are:

Punta Perdiz: This is a maintained beach on the Playa Giron coast with easy access to the water through natural steps and ladders. In the shallow water, you can swim amongst hundreds of colorful fish and different coral species. Note that there is an entrance fee, but it includes food and drinks, too!

Caleta Buena: a natural saltwater pool where sea fans, sponges, moray eels, and tropical fish can be observed in safe, calm water. It is an excellent place for beginners and kids to snorkel.

Check out other Caribbean destinations:
– Where to snorkel in Mexico
– Jamaica snorkel places
– Dominican Republic snorkeling places

Cayo Coco

Cayo Coco is a paradise of beautiful beaches and nature, named after the coco trees. Its bright white beach with fine sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters attracts hundreds of visitors who come here to enjoy the wonderful nature on land and sea.

You might see many birds here, such as gray herons, cormorants, pelicans, mockingbirds, and pink flamingos. For snorkeling fanatics, Cayo Coco offers a ‘swimming in a tropical aquarium’ feeling. The excellent visibility and incredible diversity will undoubtedly amaze everyone! If you are lucky, you might spot a reef or angel shark, too. Hint: the best snorkeling area lies in front of the Melia Cayo Coco Resort.

Playa Rancho Luna

Near Cienfuegos Bay, on the less-visited southern part of Cuba lies Playa Rancho Luna. Due to the long distance, not many tourists come to this area; therefore, the coral reefs are healthier than at the easily reachable locations. Those who walk the extra mile and visit this relaxed beach say that Playa Rancho Luna offers the best beach snorkeling in Cuba regarding the variety of fish and corals, including rare elkhorn corals and gorgonians.

There are changing and restrooms available, as well as bars and restaurants. If you are thinking about spending a few nights here, the Rancho Luna and the Pasacaballos hotels offer affordable accommodation.

Cayo Levisa

The little cay of Cayo Levisa is probably the most idyllic Cuba snorkeling spot, with nice corals in an unspoiled environment. This tiny island is accessible from Palma Rubia only by boat, making it ideal not only for snorkeling but also for other water sports. Cayo Levisa is part of the Colorados Archipelago Reef system and features a big population of Black corals, in addition to many different fish species. There is only one hotel on the island, the Villa Cayo Levisa.

Playa Santa Lucia

On the central coast of Cuba, Playa Santa Lucia is a popular tourist destination that offers affordable accommodations, miles-long white-sandy beaches, and some of Cuba’s best snorkeling places. However, this part of the island is often windy, the beaches are protected by the barrier reef that runs parallel to the shore offering ideal conditions for snorkeling in the inner lagoon.

It is possible to observe some sea creatures near the shore, too, but the reef offers the best snorkeling, with abundant species to see. However, it would be best to take a boat to get there. Sign up for catamaran snorkeling trips that are offered by the on-site resorts as well as by private companies on the beach.

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