Cuban Beaches, Keys, Marinas & Diving

The brochures also say Holguin but the all-inclusive resorts that draw so many Canadians are actually 60 kilometres away in Guardalavaca, Playa Esmerelda, Playa Pesquero and Playa Yuraguanal.

Located on Nipe Bay, the biggest in Cuba, this is an enticing paradise for visitors because of its virgin beaches and its exotic flora and fauna. Cayo Saetía spreads over 42 km., is heavily forested (65 % of its area) and possesses 12 little beaches among which El Peñón, Almendra and Gaviota stand out.

Known as Emerald Beach because of the deep green of its waters, this beach that lies on the coastal strip of the Ciego Caleticas estuary has an overall length of 900 m.

Guardalavaca stretches over 3 km. of beach among steep cliffs, facing the Atlantic Ocean, 54 km. north-east of Holguín province. Its warm, quiet waters, turquoise blue in color, are protected by coral reefs, 300 m. into the sea, creating an ideal microclimate for sea life.

Such a beautiful thing has never been seen, were the words -according to historical testimonies- said by the great admiral of the oceans, Christopher Columbus, on October 27 of 1492 after setting foot on Cuban soil for the first time; in a far place of the eastern waterside, Bariay, located today within the territorial limits of the province of Holguín. With more than 9 300 km2 of surface, 25 % of which is covered by forests, this province is located in the northeast portion of the Island and, despite of the advanced development of its tourism infrastructures, the sugar agricultural industry and the exploitation of its enormous nickel deposits are two of the province's most important economic supports.