Caguanes National Park

Caguanes National Park is a protected coastal area on the northern shore of Ciego de Ávila Province in central Cuba. It is significant for its coastal karst, mangrove wetlands, coral reef fringes and seabird nesting habitat.

The area was declared a protected area by Cuban authorities to conserve its marine and karst ecosystems and the seabird colonies that use the cays for nesting. Management focuses on limiting destructive fishing and preserving cave and mangrove habitats.

The park lies along the north coast of Ciego de Ávila Province, facing the Atlantic and the archipelagos off Cuba’s central northern shore. Access is typically by short boat trips from nearby coastal communities on the province’s northern seaboard.

• Photo tip: Best light for photography is early morning or late afternoon when low sun accentuates cave entrances and limestone textures.
• Access: Boat access is common; local guides run short trips to the cays and to snorkeling sites over nearby reefs.

What to See #

• Caves: Coastal karst caves and sinkholes containing stalactites and dripstone formations; some caves open onto mangrove-lined lagoons and small inlets.
• Cays and reefs: A chain of small limestone cays and islets fringing the northern shoreline, with shallow reefs and seagrass beds used for fishing and snorkeling.
• Mangroves: Mangrove forests and tidal lagoons that form nursery habitat for fish and feeding grounds for seabirds and shorebirds.