Beach in Monte Hermoso, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Monte Hermoso Beach
One of Argentina's most unique beaches — facing southwest rather than east, Monte Hermoso is famous for being one of the only Atlantic beaches where you can watch both the sunrise and sunset over the water. The beach is wide, flat, and often has beautiful shells.
Monte Hermoso beach is one of the most geographically unusual shores on Argentina's Atlantic coast, located approximately 100 kilometres east of Bahía Blanca in the southern reaches of Buenos Aires Province. Most Atlantic-facing beaches in Argentina face directly east or northeast, but Monte Hermoso's coastline bends to face almost due southwest — a consequence of the complex curve of the Buenos Aires shoreline near the mouth of the Río Colorado. This orientation produces an extraordinary phenomenon: Monte Hermoso is one of the only beaches in the world where the sunrise and the sunset are both visible over the open water from the same beach, each at a different end of the day and each over the Atlantic horizon.
The beach itself is wide, extremely flat, and composed of fine, powdery sand that is pale beige in colour and rich in shells and shell fragments. The combination of tidal exposure and the beach's gentle gradient means shells accumulate in natural windrows along the shore, making Monte Hermoso one of the best shell-collecting beaches in Argentina. The water is calm by Argentine Atlantic standards, rated excellent in quality, and runs a warm, greenish hue in summer conditions when temperatures reach 20–22°C. The flat profile and warm, shallow water make Monte Hermoso one of the safest swimming beaches in the province.
The resort town behind the beach is modest in scale — a family-friendly community of permanent residents supplemented by summer visitors. Balnearios operate along the main beach frontage with standard facilities: sun loungers, freshwater showers, and basic food service. Lifeguard coverage is active during the summer season. The Faro Recalada lighthouse, one of the tallest in South America at 65 metres, stands at the eastern end of the beach and is visitable for panoramic views of the coastline and surrounding pampas.
Low tides expose particularly wide sand flats ideal for kite flying, and consistent onshore breezes support kitesurfing further along the coast. The town has a functional tourism infrastructure with a cluster of hotels, restaurants serving fresh seafood, and a campsite close to the shore.
Best for: sunsets, photography, families, shell collecting, kite flying
Location
-38.9881, -61.2997 — View on map
Highlights
- One of the only beaches in the world where both sunrise and sunset are visible over the open water on the same day
- Extraordinarily wide, flat, shell-rich shoreline — among the best shell-collecting beaches in Argentina
- Faro Recalada lighthouse at the eastern end, one of the tallest in South America, open to visitors for panoramic views
- Warm, calm, shallow water rated excellent quality — among the safest swimming conditions on the Buenos Aires coast
- Consistent onshore breeze supporting kite flying and kitesurfing on the wide exposed tidal flats
Tips
- Time a visit to catch both sunrise at one end of the beach and sunset at the other — the southwest orientation makes double-horizon moments genuinely spectacular and worth planning around
- Shell collecting is exceptional after tide changes in low-wind conditions — the best shells accumulate in visible windrows
- The lighthouse is open for visits during summer; check locally for current hours as they vary seasonally
- Low tide exposes several hundred metres of flat sand — arriving two hours before low water maximises beach space and the best tidal flats
- Sunscreen is critical: the open, flat profile and reflective pale sand intensify UV exposure significantly
FAQ
Can visitors really see both sunrise and sunset over the sea at Monte Hermoso?
Yes. Due to the beach's unusual southwest-facing orientation, the sun rises over the water at the eastern end and sets over the water at the western end on the same day. This is a genuine geographical phenomenon and a major draw for photographers and visitors.
Is Monte Hermoso good for families?
Yes, it is considered one of the most family-friendly beaches on the Buenos Aires coast. The flat, wide, shallow water and calm conditions suit children of all ages, and the town is quiet and safe with a community feel.
How far is Monte Hermoso from Buenos Aires?
Approximately 650km southwest of Buenos Aires — roughly a 6.5-hour drive. The nearest major city is Bahía Blanca, about 100km west, which has an airport and train connection from Buenos Aires.
What is the Faro Recalada lighthouse?
The Faro Recalada (also known as Faro Monte Hermoso) is one of the tallest lighthouses in South America at 65 metres. Built in the late nineteenth century as a navigation aid for ships entering the Río de la Plata region, it is open to visitors during summer and offers panoramic views from the top.
Accessibility
The beach is exceptionally flat and wide, making it more physically accessible than most Argentine beach destinations. The hard-packed sand near the waterline at low tide is navigable for wheelchairs without assistance. The town's tourist infrastructure is modest; confirm adapted facilities with the Monte Hermoso municipal tourism office before arrival.
When to visit
December through March. The beach is less crowded than the northern resort towns — January is busy but manageable — making it a good option for families who want a genuine summer beach without the intensity of Mar del Plata. The rare double sunrise-sunset experience is worth planning a full day visit around.