A tiny, uninhabited cay in Cuba's Canarreos Archipelago, Cayo Rico delivers an authentic deserted-island experience — white-sand beaches, crystal-green shallows, coral reefs, and a resident iguana population that greets you on arrival.
Cruise ships anchor offshore and tender passengers to the beach — there is no pier infrastructure on this uninhabited cay.
💡 Pro move: The cay is uninhabited apart from a small beach restaurant for excursion groups — no ATMs, no shops, no taxis. Everything else you need should come with your excursion package.
Cayo Rico has no docking infrastructure; all ships anchor and tender guests to the beach.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| SeaDream Yacht Club | Anchor off Cayo Rico beach📍 | Tendered |
| Most cruise/expedition lines | Anchor offshore, west side📍 | Tendered |
Excursions here are nature-first — snorkeling on the coral reefs, iguana encounters on nearby Cayo Iguana, and fresh-caught lunch on the beach.
A short boat ride to the adjacent Cayo Iguana, home to hundreds of friendly iguanas completely accustomed to visitors. You can hand-feed them leaves and observe them up close in their natural habitat.
Find iguana tours →The waters around Cayo Rico sit atop healthy Caribbean coral reefs. Clear, warm water and abundant marine life — fish, rays, and coral formations — make this one of Cuba's best snorkel spots.
Find snorkeling tours →The classic Cayo Rico package: a trimaran or local vessel sails you over, you get beach time on pristine white sand, then a fresh lunch of fish, chicken, or lobster pasta with an open bar of Cuban drinks.
Find beach day packages →Cuban naturalist guides lead small groups around the cay's shoreline, explaining the unique ecosystem — endemic birds, reptiles, and the protected marine reserve. Offered by SeaDream and expedition operators.
Find guided nature tours →Cayo Rico is small and uninhabited — walks are informal beach strolls along the shoreline rather than organized routes.
Walk the length of the accessible beach from the tender landing point along the western shore. The sand is fine and white, the water brilliant green. Iguanas often bask near the tree line.
Climate normals for Cayo Rico, Canarreos Archipelago, Cuba (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 78°F / 26°C | 74°F / 23°C | 6 |
| Feb | 78°F / 26°C | 75°F / 24°C | 4 |
| Mar | 79°F / 26°C | 76°F / 24°C | 4 |
| Apr | 81°F / 27°C | 78°F / 26°C | 6 |
| May | 82°F / 28°C | 79°F / 26°C | 16 |
| Jun | 84°F / 29°C | 81°F / 27°C | 15 |
| Jul | 86°F / 30°C | 82°F / 28°C | 12 |
| Aug | 86°F / 30°C | 82°F / 28°C | 15 |
| Sep | 85°F / 29°C | 82°F / 28°C | 18 |
| Oct | 84°F / 29°C | 80°F / 27°C | 17 |
| Nov | 82°F / 28°C | 78°F / 26°C | 10 |
| Dec | 80°F / 27°C | 76°F / 24°C | 7 |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)