Bay of Pigs

The Bay of Pigs (Bahía de Cochinos) is a coastal inlet on Cuba’s southern shore in Matanzas Province, historically significant as the site of a 1961 amphibious invasion. The bay comprises broad sandy beaches, shallow lagoons and adjacent wetlands.

Historic landing sites such as Playa Girón and Playa Larga feature museums, memorials and interpretive exhibits about the April 1961 invasion, and these locations are primary draws for visitors interested in 20th-century history. The bay also offers coastal recreation: snorkeling and diving on nearby coral reefs, sport fishing and birdwatching in the adjacent marshes.

Nature-oriented visits concentrate on the nearby Ciénaga de Zapata wetlands, one of Cuba’s largest swamp areas, which supports diverse birdlife, mangrove systems and coastal lagoons; guided boat and nature tours operate from settlements around the bay. Beaches on both shores provide recreational swimming and access to dive operators based in local towns.

In April 1961 a CIA-backed force of Cuban exiles landed at beaches on the bay in an attempt to overthrow the Cuban government; the operation failed after several days of combat and subsequent capture of many invaders. Since that event the landing sites have been memorialized in Cuban museums and remain important historical landmarks.

The bay lies on Cuba’s southern coast in Matanzas Province, along the southern shoreline of the island roughly east-southeast of Havana; nearby towns and road connections provide access for visitors traveling from central Cuba.

• 1961 invasion sites: The bay is known for the 1961 amphibious invasion by U.S.-backed exile forces, which took place in April 1961 and ended in defeat for the invaders; several landing beaches retain museums and memorials.
• Diving and reefs: The bay and nearby coastal areas offer coral reefs and clear waters used for snorkeling and diving, with protected sites and local dive operators based in nearby towns.

What to See #

• Playa Girón: A small beach and settlement on the bay's western shore that was the primary landing site during the April 1961 amphibious invasion and now contains a museum and memorials.
• Playa Larga: A long coastal shelf and beach area on the bay's eastern side that served as a secondary landing area during the 1961 operation and is used today for fishing and coastal access.
• Ciénaga de Zapata (Zapata Swamp): A large wetland and lowland ecosystem adjacent to the bay that contains mangroves, marshes and coastal lagoon habitats important for birds and marine life.