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Last updated on February 5, 2022
Located at the entrance of the Bay of Pigs, Caleta Buena is a translucent protected cove with superb rock landscapes and abundant undersea life. Shoals of surgeonfish and striped red mullets can be found along the spectacular rocky outcrops, scarcely troubled by the moray eels that have found a home there. This spot, ideal for beginners, is one of the most accessible and popular snorkeling in Cuba.
Caleta Buena is located approximately 5 miles/8 kilometers southeast of Playa Girón. From this city, head east on the coastal road. It is possible to rent bikes (5$/day) or scooters (25$/day) in Playa Girón. Admission to the beach is CUC$15 and includes a lunch buffet and open bar.
On the rocky edge of the cove, you will spot several small ladders where you can easily enter the water.
Caleta Buena forms a very little cove that you can explore in its entirety. Begin by exploring the rocky drop-offs surrounding the bay (↕6-14ft/2-4m), where bluehead wrasse and small groups of sergeant major find shelter. Be careful, because there are a lot of sea urchins in the area, and the sea bed is stony.
At the center of the bay, the water is deeper (↕14-20ft/4-6m). The seabed is sandy, interspersed with rocks, sea fans, and small patches of hard and soft corals. In this area, you will easily spot blue tang, stoplight parrotfish, and several species of butterflyfish.
Caleta Buena is completely sheltered, and the visibility is generally excellent. There are sometimes many visitors at this location, so watch out for other snorkelers and for people who have fun jumping into the water from the rocks above the cove.
There are no hotels near Caleta Buena, but a range of accommodation is available in Playa Giron, some 5 miles/8 kilometers from here.
These snorkeling spots are accessible to beginners and kids. You will enter the water gradually from a beach, or in a less than 3ft. deep area. The sea is generally calm, shallow, with almost no waves or currents. These spots are usually located in marked and/or monitored swimming areas. It is not necessary to swim long distances to discover the sea life. This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell. You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.
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Snorkeling spots are part of a wild environment and their aspect can be significantly altered by weather, seasons, sea conditions, human impact and climate events (storms, hurricanes, seawater-warming episodes…). The consequences can be an alteration of the seabed (coral bleaching, coral destruction, and invasive seagrass), a poor underwater visibility, or a decrease of the sea life present in the area. Snorkeling Report makes every effort to ensure that all the information displayed on this website is accurate and up-to-date, but no guarantee is given that the underwater visibility and seabed aspect will be exactly as described on this page the day you will snorkel the spot. If you recently snorkeled this area and noticed some changes compared to the information contained on this page, please contact us.
The data contained in this website is for general information purposes only, and is not legal advice. It is intended to provide snorkelers with the information that will enable them to engage in safe and enjoyable snorkeling, and it is not meant as a substitute for swim level, physical condition, experience, or local knowledge. Remember that all marine activities, including snorkeling, are potentially dangerous, and that you enter the water at your own risk. You must take an individual weather, sea conditions and hazards assessment before entering the water. If snorkeling conditions are degraded, postpone your snorkeling or select an alternate site. Know and obey local laws and regulations, including regulated areas, protected species, wildlife interaction and dive flag laws.
