It’s nothing personal we think, but fish don’t like people much. On Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo you’ll be able to see a few fish darting around and, if you swim out (away from the people) you´ll see more, but never large quantities. But this is not so on Cayo Romano, you see Cayo Romano has no hotels, buildings or people. The Cayo Romano Island, just 20 minutes from where you are staying, is entirely uninhabited. Just expanses of the same beaches you have visited near your resort, yet with nobody on them. Yes, if you enjoy Snorkeling, don’t waste a second to visit Cayo Romano.
How to get to Cayo Romano?
From Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo, if you have rented a car or scooter, you’re almost there! Simply look at the road in front of your hotel with your back to the sea and Cayo Romano is left. There’s only one road, so it’s easy, drive past the Jardines del Rey airport, then straight ahead. The road runs through the center of Cayo Romano. The street is cement paved and has not yet been asphalted but, it’s perfectly passable if not a little dusty…
The first left turn takes you to the virgin and uninhabited northern coastal beaches, then on to Cayo Paredon Grande on the same road. From any of these heavenly coves you’ll find that within a few meters of the beach the sea is literally teeming with fish, coral and marine life.
There’s an even better spot though, don’t take the first left but the second (about 2km later) and you´ll arrive at a beach and coastline with numerous palm lined coves. The beach here is around 4km in length and, once again, totally deserted.
Finally, if you don’t turn left at the second turn off, instead continuing ahead, you’ll reach the end of Cayo Romano. Here you’ll find several lagoons where fish come to breed and smaller species spend their first months before venturing out to sea.
Why snorkel on Cayo Romano?
You’re invariably going to see a total transition of fish behavior. The fish are both closer to the shore and more numerous, totally unfazed by your presence. The untouched beaches are littered with starfish, with crabs jetting back and forth from the sea. Around the month of December, Sea Turtles lay eggs on the beaches here which is quite a spectacle. The coral reefs are packed with fish nursing their offspring and rocky coves are simply teeming with all sorts of marine life. At the last spot we mentioned, you´ll also be able to explore some densely populated marine lagoons which stretch between the reefs and the shoreline. There is one “Blue Hole” in this area which is perfect for seeing larger species. There are no poisonous fish in Cuba, no sharks or predators anywhere near the coast and, few, if any, sea urchins (unless you swim in rocky cove areas) to stand on!
Forget snorkeling where you’re staying and try this! Virgin untouched beauty.
