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Last updated on February 5, 2022
Punta Perdiz is most famous amongst Cuba’s snorkeling spots. This piece of coastline sheltered inside the Bay of Pigs (Bahia de Cochinos) is fringed by a reef located about 100 meters from the shore. Sea whips and corals sprinkle the seabed, and a large number of Caribbean fish, including butterflyfish and angelfish, dwell in the reef. This is the perfect place for a snorkeling and sunbathing day between Playa Larga and Playa Giron.
Punta Perdiz is located on the famous Bay of Pigs’ north shore. You will most probably access it from Playa Giron (5mi/8km south of the spot) or Playa Larga (11mi/18km north of it), driving down the coastal road.
Just like Caleta Buena, there is an entrance fee (15 CUC) that also includes a buffet, drinks and beach equipment rentals for a day. Not willing to pay a fee? There are other coast access points along the road, but the shore is rocky, and entering the water can be challenging.
Be careful, as sharp rocks along the shore might cut you. Enter the water from the dedicated place in front of the restaurant, where a small ladder has been set up. Beware the numerous sea urchins.
You can explore the whole reef fringing the coast and located about 100 meters from the shore. Once in the water, you will first swim across an uninteresting sandy seabed (↕1-8ft/0.5-2m). Corals then progressively cover it (↕6-12ft/1.5-4m). From here, there will still be about 40 meters to swim to the reef drop-off. This last part isn’t of great interest for snorkelers either because of its very important water depth.
Over the reef itself, you will come across damselfish fighting for their territories, bluehead wrasses darting along the rocks and small groups of sergeant majors that might remain close to you, staring with curiosity. If you’re lucky, you will spot a rock beauty (Holacanthus tricolor), a small but bright-colored fish said to be one of the most beautiful in the Caribbean reefs.
The restaurant settled on the harbor is the only one around. This all-you-can-eat buffet is included in the entrance fee. There are few accommodation options in the area, most visitors come here for a day from Playa Larga or Playa Giron.
Jump into Punta Perdiz underwater world in this video 👇 shot by Maima.
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.
