Snorkeling

Most beaches in Holguin are lined with coral reefs that are in many cases close enough to shore to go snorkeling right off the beach, allowing experienced snorkelers as well as beginners to discover the area's rich and colorful marine life. Many boat tours and catamaran cruises also include snorkeling in their program, see our Excursions section for more details.

Although fish are abundant and we found the reef to be overall healthy, it has suffered periodic damage from hurricane, so its aspect vary throughout the years. In many areas you may see broken and/or bleached corals, the damages are not only caused by hurricanes but also by careless swimmers and snorkelers (standing on corals, suntan lotion, paddle boat, etc.), and by the warmer seawater that results from climate change.

Here are the best off-beach snorkeling spots around the resorts:

Playa Guardalavaca Aerial view
(Hotels: Gran Muthu Almirante Beach, Club Amigo and Brisas Guardalavaca)
The snorkeling area extends the entire length of the beach. The seabed starts being cover with coral about 100 meters from shore. This beach is relatively exposed so the sea can be wavy at times, although calm enough most of the time thus allowing snorkeling to be a more than pleasurable experience. The numerous darker shapes visible in the water are patch reefs.

Playa Esmeralda Aerial view
(Hotels: Paradisus Rio de Oro and Sol Rio de Luna y Mares)
The best snorkeling spot is at the east-end of the beach, there are plenty of patch reefs and fish at the foot of the cliff along the Paradisus hotel. If you're an experienced snorkeler, it's possible to reach an extensive and very nice coral gardens about 400 meters from the Paradisus headland, but be aware of currents and boat traffic as it is a popular snorkeling stop for boats and catamarans. Near the headland at the west end of the beach (hotel SRLM side), you'll can also find a flat reef with some corals and many fish, but there's a slight current here making the return swim a bit difficult, especially on windy days.

Playa Pesquero & Playa Estero Aerial view
(Hotels: Aston Costa Verde Beach Resort, Playa Costa Verde, Playa Pesquero, and Iberostar Holguin)
Plenty of rocky areas, patch reefs and colourful fish can be found almost the entire length of the beach, but the best spots are at both ends of the beach. The north end of the beach (hotel Fiesta Americana, ex. Blau) has a rocky bottom and many coral patches, especially out around the headland were you'll find a healthier reef, you can either walk in from shore or use the ladder by the dive center. The south-end (in front of hotel Playa Pesquero) is a nice spot too, not as much coral on this side but plenty of colorful fish. Playa Pesquero is more sheltered from to the prevailing wind than the other beaches, therefore most likely to provide great snorkeling conditions most of the times

Playa Yuraguanal (hotel Memories), Playa Blanca et Playa Don Lino, and Playa Covarrubias (hotel Muthu Las Tunas Playa Covarrubias):
We haven't had the chance yet to snorkel from these three beaches, but we have heard and read many reports from people who experienced very decent snorkeling right off the resorts in these areas.

Click here to view a map of Holguin beaches

If you are interested about snorkeling in Cuba, we invite you to also visit our Neptune website. It contains a lot of information, underwater photos and videos about several Cuban destinations, and some other countries also.
Neptune Holguin page