Playa Porto Mari

Playa Porto Mari is best known for what lies underwater: a double reef, two parallel coral ridges separated by a sandy channel, that you can reach straight from the beach. Snorkelers and divers follow a marked route out over the first reef, across the channel and onto the second, spotting reef fish, coral and the occasional turtle. It is one of the most rewarding shore-snorkel sites on the island.

Above the water it is an easy, comfortable beach: a tidy stretch of white sand with calm, clear water, a beach bar, loungers, restrooms and a dive centre. The other claim to fame is the resident pigs, which sometimes amble down from behind the beach to the sand and shallows, a quirky local attraction (admire them, but do not feed or crowd them).

Make the most of Porto Mari

• A small entrance fee applies, with loungers and gear available to rent.
• Follow the marked snorkel trail to find the double reef; the dive centre can brief you.
• Mornings bring the calmest water and best visibility.
• No lifeguards; the water is generally calm, but the reef edges can be sharp, so watch your footing.

Porto Mari sits beside Sint Willibrordus, a short hop from the polished Playa Cas Abao and the free local cove of Daaibooi Beach. Combine it with either for a full day on the central west coast.