If you have fond memories of admiring exotic marine life, including crabs, on your summer holidays – you’re in for a treat. Every year in Cuba, a spectacular sight occurs when millions of red, and some yellow crabs, emerge from the Cuban forest to make their epic journey to the Bay of Pigs. This is so they can get to the waters and spawn by the sea. It’s no easy feat, with crossings and highways making it impossible for all the crabs to survive this perilous journey.
In Playa Girón, on the east side of the Bay of Pigs, the destination is overrun by these scuttling creatures once a year. Whilst tourists flock to see the marvel and take photos of the migration during the Spring rains, the locals are not as pleased to see them. The crabs cause utmost havoc upon travelling, especially as they damage and burst many tyres when locals try to make their way through them.
They tend to travel in the early morning and evening to avoid the heat, so people are warned to avoid the roads during those times.
The best time to experience this spectacle is in April, but this is not guaranteed, and you may even be able to see them all the way up to June.
Playa Giron
Is it worth visiting?
If you’re staying near Playa Girón, it’s worth making the trip to visit this magnificent sight. Especially for photographers, as you’ll get some really unique and amazing pictures as well as experience one of nature’s most incredible scenes.
Visiting Playa Girón and the Bay of Pigs
Playa Girón is a stunning beachfront destination in Cuba with stunning coral sand and reefs and a crystal-clear turquoise ocean to explore. It’s also famed for being the landing point for a failed US-backed invasion in 1961, which was met by fierce rebel fighting from revolutionaries led by Fidel Castro. If you’re into history and culture, there are museums and monuments dedicated to this event which you can explore in the city.
In short, Playa Girón is a perfect spot for those who want to explore the incredible sea life, snorkel or dive, and learn a little about the history of the area, too.
The red crab migration is a part of life for Cuban people, but as a tourist, is an absolutely incredible sight to behold. So, why not plan a visit to Playa Girón to explore the beautiful oceans, rich history and, of course, the spectacle of millions of scuttling crabs making their way to the ocean bay on your next trip to Cuba?
Love Cuba is the UK’s leading Cuba holiday specialist. Click here for more info on Cuba holidays, Multi Centre Cuba Holidays or Tailor Made Cuba Holidays please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team of Cuba holiday specialists on 0207 071 3636 or email enquiries@lovecuba.com
