Beaches | Cayo Largo, Cuba

The Beaches

Click to see a map of Cayo Largo's beaches.

Cayo Largo is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean! These gorgeous beaches cover the entire length of the south coastline of this little island. They are divided in 7 sections for a total lenght of approximately 24 kilometers. Cayo Largo's beaches are made of extremely fine white sand and are bathed by turquoise and crystalline waters. Cayo Largo's beaches have THE whitest and finest sand in Cuba, and perhaps even all the Caribbean!

They are from West to East:

Playa Sirena (no hotels)
Location: Western tip of Cayo Largo. Orientation: Facing west.
Facilities: Restaurant, bars, palapas, lounge chairs, massage, gift shop, bathrooms, changing rooms, shuttle and taxi service. For more information, please visit our page dedicated to Playa Sirena

Playa Paraiso (no hotels)
Location: Southwest coast of Cayo Largo. Orientation: Facing west.
Facilities: Snack bar, palapas, lounge chairs, taxi service.
For more information, please visit our page dedicated to Playa Paraiso

Playa Mal Tiempo (no hotels)
Location: South western coast of Cayo Largo. Orientation: Facing southwest.
Facilities: Palapas, lounges chairs, taxi service.
For more information, please visit our page dedicated to Playa Mal Tiempo

Playa Lindarena (6 hotels)
Location: South central coast of Cayo Largo. Orientation: Facing south-southeast.
See the NOTE on beach stability below.

Playa Blanca (2 hotels)
Location: Northeast of Cayo Largo. Orientation: Facing south-southeast.
The remaining length of Playa Blanca (toward east) is virgin (see Northeast Cayo Largo).
See the NOTE on beach stability below.

Playa Los Cocos (no hotel)
Location: Northeast of Cayo Largo. Orientation: Facing south-southeast.
Virgin beach. No facilities and no taxi service.
For more information, please visit our page dedicated to Northeast Cayo Largo

Playa Tortuga (no hotel)
Location: Northeast end of Cayo Largo. Orientation: Facing south-southeast.
Virgin beach. No facilities and no taxi service.
For more information, please visit our page dedicated to Northeast Cayo Largo

Playa Luna (no hotel)
Location: Northwest of Cayo Largo. Orientation: Facing north.
Virgin beach. No facilities.
This secluded beach with tranquil shallow waters is lined with mangroves. Playa Luna doesn't have the idyllic setting found at the western beaches. The entrance to the water is dotted with seaweed and, regrettably, some trash as well. It's not the ideal place to swim, but a nice location for bird watching.

A note on beach stability
This is by far the most discussed topic about Cayo Largo... "How's the beach in front of hotel xxx?" Why the recurrent question? Because the situation changes all the time, from week to week, even from day to day! The stretches of beach where the all-inclusive resorts are located (Playa Lindarena and Playa Blanca) can be unstable at times. It means that the strip of sand sporadically disappears underwater (partially or totally) after strong winds, high surf or tide shifts. This beach erosion is generally more frequent on the eastern side of the hotel zone (Grand Memories Cayo Largo, Villa Natura and Villa Caprice), while the west end of the hotel zone (Memories Cayo Largo and Starfish Cayo Largo) tends to be more stable. BUT FORTUNATELY, Cayo Largo has 25 km or beaches, so there are always nice strips of sand nearby!

Type of beach:
The beaches in the hotel zone are mostly facing south; it means that if you sit on the beach facing the sea, the sun is in front of you. As said earlier, the sand is very fine and sparkling white, so it is never hot, even in the afternoon sun. The entrance to the water is not too steep nor too gentle, so no need to move in the water for many meters before having water at shoulders' level. Almost all beaches have a soft sandy bottom with very few rocks, except for a small strech in front of hotels Villa Lindamar, Villa Coral and Villa Serena where you'll find some rocky areas and coral heads close to shore.

Type of sea:
Cayo Largo is off the southern coast of Cuba, therefore it's in the Caribbean sea. In the hotel zone and the eastern parts of Cayo Largo, the sea is usually choppy, so it's not unusual to see yellow and red flags in these sectors, especially on windy days. However, these wind-generated surface waves produce little undertow, which facilitate swimming. Sometimes when the wind turns and comes from the north, the sea becomes very calm. Another thing to consider is the phase of the moon; tides is higher at new and full moons. Unlike the eastern parts, the sea is much calmer along the south-western coast (Playa Sirena, Playa Paraiso and Playa Mal Tiempo). The crystal-clear waters surrounding this small limestone island are abundantly populated with a diverse marine life, making Cayo Largo a divers and snorkelers paradise. The sea temperature averages 23C in the winter and 30C in the summer. Learn more about Snorkeling and Scuba Diving

A walker's paradise!
The longest walkable stretch of beach without almost any obstacle is usually from the hotel Starfish Cayo Largo walking west up to Playa Sirena. The sand is white, fine and compact so it is never too hot for the feet and it forms a hard surface on the surf's edge which makes walking easier. At other stretches of beach (especially on the east side of the island), the shore may be rocky in many places and the surf higher, we suggest bringing sandals or water shoes. Don't forget also to bring water, apply sunscreen, and wear a hat when taking long walks along the beach.

The dunes
The hotels are all oceanfront (except for Villa Marina, adjacent to the marina) but they have been built a little back behind the dunes. The beaches are accessible via several raised footbridge for a minimum impact on the dunes' flora and fauna. These dunes also serve as a natural protection against tropical storms and hurricanes, thus minimizing damages to hotels.

Clothing Optional beaches
Cayo Largo is world-famous among naturists. There are miles of secluded beaches, and many resorts have designated areas on the outskirts of their beach where sunbathing and swimming in our birthday suit is tolerated. Try it, it's so liberating! To learn more, visit our website on Clothing Optional beaches in Cuba

IMPORTANT NOTES :

It is strictly forbidden to ride ATVs (or any other kind of vehicle) on the beach.
If you decide to take the long walk from your hotel to the western beaches, bring water, apply sunscreen, wear a hat, and bring sandals (you may sometimes have to step on rocks depending on beach conditions and tide).
Please respect this pristine environment; always pick up your trash.
Please, do not take starfish out of the water; this marine animal does not breathe air! Only a few minutes (or a few seconds repeatedly) is enough for them to die, they can also die of stress, they are not a toy!
Cayo Largo's beaches are nesting sites for sea turtles (May to September). Never disturbed sea turtles during nesting season, they are very sensitive to disturbance, which may prevent them from laying their eggs. Never step on a nest or disturb a hatching.