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Located halfway between the historic city of Trinidad and the resorts of Playa Ancón, Playa Caribe is an authentic beach in southern Cuba. Together with the nearby spot of La Batea, it is one of the best options for snorkeling in the area. Starting from the beach, you can explore its beautiful coral reef and encounter snappers, surgeonfish, grunt, groupers, and even small stingrays.
 
Playa Caribe, Ancon
Playa Caribe, Ancón.

How to get to Playa Caribe snorkeling spot?

Playa Caribe is a nice beach located about 10km south of Trinidad, on the road to Ancón. It is possible to park near the beach or in the Grill Caribe‘s small parking lot. If you don’t have a car, the best option is to take a taxi, as public transportation is limited in the area. The distance between the resorts of Playa Ancón and Playa Caribe is only 2mi/3km.

Playa Caribe snorkeling map, Cuba

Water entrance for snorkeling Playa Caribe

We recommend entering the water from the sandy beach, in front of Grill Caribe restaurant.

Playa Caribe snorkeling exploration tips

The reef extends all along the beach. Starting from the shore, you’ll first snorkel over some sandy areas without much interest, before some coral and rock ridges appear. From 40-50 meters from the beach, the reef becomes denser, before sloping down to the depths. Throughout the area, the depth varies between 5ft/1.5m and 23ft/7m.

Yellow stingray in Playa Caribe
A yellow stingray on the sand, at the foot of the reef.

The corals of Playa Caribe, typical of Cuba, are rather healthy. In some places, gorgonian “forests” have grown, creating an enchanting underwaterscape. In most of the area, beautiful patches of Porites and brain coral cover the seabed. Many sea urchins of different species are also found on the reef.

Gorgonian and sea fan in Playa Caribe
Playa Caribe’s reef is rich in sea fans and sea plums.

A nice diversity of fishes live the reef, including cardinalfish, several species of grunts, snappers, several species of butterflyfish, as well as parrotfish and surgeonfish.

The fishes are particularly numerous around the gorgonians, which offer a reassuring shelter. Yellow stingrays are sometimes seen in the deeper waters, both on the sand and on the rocks.

Red hind in Playa Caribe
A juvenile red hind on the reef.

Visibility is generally good in Playa Caribe, where the sea is calm most of the time. Do not enter the water if the sea is wavy.

Restaurants and accommodation nearby

Grill Caribe restaurant is located on the beach.

 

  • Level required Beginner
  • Maximum depth20ft/7m
  • Water entranceFrom a sandy beach
  • LifeguardNo
  • Visitor numbersMedium
  • Access costsFree
  • Restaurants nearbyYes

MAP Spot

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.