Playa Giron is a small village at the entrance of the Bay of Pigs. It is south of Varadero, that is on the south shore of Cuba, on the Caribbean side, where the sea is clearer, warmer and calmer than on the Atlantic side. The water temperature is 27-29 °C in Summer and 26-28 °C in Winter. Playa Giron is about 150 km from Varadero, 220 km from Havana and 100 km from Cienfuegos.
Playa Giron enjoys an unusual micro-climate. Often, there is pouring rain 30 km away but you don't see a single drop falling on the village! In Summer, you may well see enormous black clouds in the distance that never reach Playa Giron.
Although Playa Giron is not a full-fledge resort like Cancun, Miami or Varadero, you will find numerous privately run inns or Bed&Breakfast houses ("casa particular", in Spanish) as well as an hotel and an international dive center. There are about 20 dive sites along the bay east shore where you will frequently find instructors and equipment to go dive right away.
The Bay of Pigs is an exceptional environment for swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving. As this bay is protected from the westerly, northerly and easterly prevailing winds, there is hardly any wave and the water is generally crystal-clear. Motor-boats are prohibited. Divers and snorkelers depart from the shore and find themselves immediately immersed in the colorful tropical underwater scenery. The drop-off is just a few swim-strokes away.
Ready for a dive from the shore in Punta Perdiz. As a boat is not required, you don't wait, you don't have to travel a long time on rough sea to go to a dive site and ... you don't get seasick!
A paradise for safe snorkeling or lazing about! This is Caleta Buena, a tiny bay a few kilometers away from Playa Giron. You will be amazed by such a quiet place where you can admire a profusely abundant sea-life with just a mask and a snorkel.
Mangrove in Caleta Buena.
You will find nearby numerous geological formations born from the interaction between water and land: caves ("cuevas", in Spanish), "cenotes" (sinkholes resulting from the collapse of the bedrock), underground channels between the sea and fresh water ponds, mangroves, etc.
You will find nearby numerous geological formations born from the interaction between water and land: caves ("cuevas", in Spanish), "cenotes" (sinkholes resulting from the collapse of the bedrock), underground channels between the sea and fresh water ponds, mangroves, etc.
Just about to dive! No boat, no wave, no effort! Note how the water is clear.
Constantly smiling dive buddies!
A never-ending show.
Yes, the water is really that clear!
Yes, the water is really that clear!
Underwater photo with the beautiful Cuban sky on top. This is probably what the divers' paradise must be like!