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Playa del Norte Beach

Пляж Дель-Норте
Cuba · Beach · Cayo Guillermo
crystal
Best month: January

Best for

Ideal for couples and families with children seeking a quiet holiday on an untouched beach. Suitable for swimming, snorkelling and nature watching. Not suitable for those seeking loud nightlife.

Best month

January

Water
+27.0°C
Length
1 000 m
A scenic beach on the northern side of Cayo Guillermo with white sand. It features calm water and scenic views, popular for swimming and walks.
Surface
sand
Waves
calm
Entry
gentle
Description Pros & Cons Best For Features Beach & Entry Water & Waves Swim Season Safety Infrastructure Vibe Nature Activities Tips Nearby
Description
General information about the beach
A scenic beach on the northern side of Cayo Guillermo with white sand. It features calm water and scenic views, popular for swimming and walks.
Pros and cons
Main advantages and disadvantages

Pros

  • White coral sand
  • Crystal clear turquoise water
  • Warm calm waters
  • Coral reefs for snorkelling
  • Untouched nature
  • Mangroves
  • Free access

Cons

  • Remote from mainland Cuba
  • Limited infrastructure outside hotels
  • No lifeguards
  • Access only via causeway
Best for
Who this beach is ideal for
Ideal for couples and families with children seeking a quiet holiday on an untouched beach. Suitable for swimming, snorkelling and nature watching. Not suitable for those seeking loud nightlife.
Features
What makes this beach unique
The beach is part of the Jardines del Rey archipelago, known for its coral reefs — the second largest in the world. Nearby is Playa Pilar, often called one of the most beautiful beaches in Cuba.
Beach & Entry
Surface, sand, water entry and bottom
Surface Type
Main surface type
sand
Sand Color
Main sand colour
white
Sand Texture
Grain size
fine
Water Entry
How steep the drop-off is
gentle
Shallow Distance
Metres to waist-deep water
25 m
Bottom Type
Main bottom type
sand
Water Shoes
Whether special footwear is needed
recommended
Beach Length
Beach length in metres
1 000 m
Water & Waves
Colour, clarity, temperature and waves
Water Colour
turquoise
Water Clarity
crystal
Underwater Visibility
20.0 m
Average Water Temp
+27.0 °C
Max Water Temp
+29.0 °C
Wave Type
calm
Wave Height
0.2 m
Swim Season
When the swimming season starts and ends
Season start
December
Season end
April
Best month
January
Safety
Currents, water quality, dangerous creatures, hospital
Rip Currents
Likelihood of rip currents
low
Water Quality
Water purity rating
excellent
Jellyfish Risk
Likelihood of jellyfish
low
Shark Risk
Likelihood of sharks
none
Crime Level
Overall safety level
safe
Hospital Distance
Kilometres to hospital
15.0 km
What exactly is dangerous
No serious threats. The beach is in a tourist area, safe. Standard precautions are recommended.
Dangerous creatures
sea urchins
Insurance & Connectivity
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Infrastructure
Amenities on and near the beach
Sunbeds
Yes
Umbrellas
Yes
Showers
Yes
Toilets
Yes
Changing Rooms
Yes
Lifeguards
No
First Aid
Yes
Parking
Yes
Wi-Fi
No
Kids Playground
No
Sports Ground
No
Restaurants Nearby
3 pcs
Best restaurants

Hotel Restaurants

Cuban, International

Hotel restaurants on Cayo Guillermo

Restaurante Playa Pilar

Cuban, Seafood

Restaurant near Playa Pilar with Cuban cuisine and seafood

Nearby cuisines

Cuban

Traditional Cuban cuisine with rice, beans and meat

Must try: Ropa vieja, congrí, lechón asado

Seafood

Fresh seafood from the Atlantic Ocean

Must try: Lobster, prawns, grilled fish
Vibe
Energy, crowd, silence and sunsets
Energy
sleepy
Crowd Level
uncrowded
Silence Level
quiet
Sunset Quality
beautiful
Nature
Trees and natural shade
Trees on Beach
Yes
Natural Shade
moderate
Activities
Snorkelling, diving, surfing, kayaking
Snorkeling
Yes
Diving
Yes
Surfing
No
Kayaking / SUP
Yes
Tips
What to bring, best time, local rules
What to Bring
SPF50+ cream Water Towel Swimsuit Water shoes Cash Hat Sunglasses First aid kit Snorkel mask
Best Time to Swim
The best time for swimming is the dry season from December to April. In the morning the water is calmer and there are fewer people. For snorkelling, the best time is morning.
Local Rules
Swim in the area marked by buoys. Do not touch the coral. Do not leave litter.
Getting there & Car rental
Flights, transfers and car rental to reach the beach
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Nearby
Attractions and places near the beach

Playa Pilar

One of Cuba-s most beautiful beaches with a 15-metre sand dune, 5 km away

Coral Reefs

Reefs for diving and snorkelling, the second largest in the world

Where to stay
Hotels and apartments near the beach
Frequently asked questions
Playa del Norte Beach: what is the water like at this beach?
At this beach, water colour — turquoise, clarity crystal, average temperature +27.0°C, warms up to +29.0°C in the warmest season. Check the exact temperature by month in the chart section.
Playa del Norte Beach: what are the waves like and is it safe to swim?
Waves at this beach are — calm. Average wave height — 0.2 m. Calm water is great for families with children and those who prefer not to deal with strong swell.
Playa del Norte Beach: what is the water entry and bottom like?
Water entry is — gentle. The shallow area extends for 25 metres from the shore. Bottom — sand. It is recommended to bring aqua shoes — parts of the bottom have rocks or corals. The gentle slope is safe for children and inexperienced swimmers.
Playa del Norte Beach: what kind of sand and surface does the beach have?
Beach surface — sand. Sand colour — white. Texture — fine. Beach length — 1 000 metres.
Playa del Norte Beach: when is the swimming season?
The swimming season starts in December. It ends in April. The best month for a holiday is January. This is when the water is warmest and the weather is most comfortable.
Playa del Norte Beach: is it safe to swim?
Water quality is rated as excellent. Rip currents are unlikely. Jellyfish risk — low. Always watch for warning signs and follow lifeguards instructions.
Playa del Norte Beach: which dangerous creatures live in the water?
The water contains: sea urchins. We recommend wearing protective footwear, not touching marine life and taking care when entering the water.
Playa del Norte Beach: what infrastructure is available on the beach?
The beach offers: sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, toilets, changing rooms, parking. All amenities are listed in the "Infrastructure" section above.
Playa del Norte Beach: are there lifeguards and a first aid station?
There are no lifeguards on the beach — be especially careful when swimming. A first aid station is available.
Playa del Norte Beach: where can I eat near the beach?
Popular places nearby: Hotel Restaurants, Restaurante Playa Pilar. Cuisines available: Cuban, Seafood. See the "Infrastructure" section for details.
Playa del Norte Beach: what should I bring to the beach?
We recommend bringing: SPF50+ cream, Water, Towel, Swimsuit, Water shoes, Cash, Hat, Sunglasses, First aid kit, Snorkel mask.
Playa del Norte Beach: when is the best time to swim?
The best time for swimming is the dry season from December to April. In the morning the water is calmer and there are fewer people. For snorkelling, the best time is morning.
Playa del Norte Beach: what are the rules and restrictions on the beach?
Swim in the area marked by buoys. Do not touch the coral. Do not leave litter.
Playa del Norte Beach: what activities are available?
The beach offers: snorkelling, diving, kayaking and SUP. See the "Activities" section above for details.
Playa del Norte Beach: who is this beach best for?
Ideal for couples and families with children seeking a quiet holiday on an untouched beach. Suitable for swimming, snorkelling and nature watching. Not suitable for those seeking loud nightlife.
Playa del Norte Beach: what makes this beach unique?
The beach is part of the Jardines del Rey archipelago, known for its coral reefs — the second largest in the world. Nearby is Playa Pilar, often called one of the most beautiful beaches in Cuba.
Playa del Norte Beach: what are the pros and cons of the beach?
Pros: White coral sand, Crystal clear turquoise water, Warm calm waters, Coral reefs for snorkelling, Untouched nature, Mangroves, Free access. Cons: Remote from mainland Cuba, Limited infrastructure outside hotels, No lifeguards, Access only via causeway.
Playa del Norte Beach: what is near the beach?
Nearby you can visit: Playa Pilar, Coral Reefs. Detailed descriptions in the "Nearby" section above.
Playa del Norte Beach: how do I get to the city of Cayo Guillermo?
The beach is located near the city of Cayo Guillermo. Full information about the city — hotels, restaurants, attractions, transport — is available on the city page for Cayo Guillermo.

City

Cayo Guillermo

Full information about the city: prices, hotels, attractions.

Best month

January

Useful information

Country: Cuba
Type: Beach
Coordinates: 22.600000, -78.666700

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