The Gulf of Batabanó, also called the Batabanó Gulf, is an inlet or strait off southwestern Cuba in the Caribbean Sea, separating mainland Cuba from the Isle of Youth.

Overview

The gulf's northern border begins at the southern coast of Cuba in Pinar del Río Province, Artemisa Province, Mayabeque Province and Matanzas Province, ending at the Zapata Peninsula (Península de Zapata), a length of about 80 mi. The northeastern section of the gulf is also called Ensenada de la Broa. The gulf stretches south about 50 mi to the Isle of Youth. The gulf is shallow–less than 200 ft deep–and contains about 350 smaller islands of the Canarreos Archipelago (los Archipiélago de los Canarreos) besides the Isle of Youth. The gulf is a center of sponge fishing.