Beaches of Lake Nahuel Huapi and Lake Moreno

Bariloche has a beach summer too, just with its own rules: the water comes from snowmelt, the shore is usually fine pebbles, and the wind sets the tone for much of the day. Along the Nahuel Huapi and Lake Moreno there are beaches for every taste, from ones with lifeguards and kayak rentals to ones where everything you need has to fit in your backpack.

Heading out along Avenida Bustillo, the first classic stop is Playa Bonita, around kilometer 8: a long stretch of shore for sunbathing, with Huemul Island right across the water. A few kilometers further, near kilometer 12, comes Bahía Serena, a favorite with families: the water is shallow, a little warmer, and the bottom is sandy. Both rent kayaks and stand-up paddleboards.

On the Circuito Chico, the bridge over Lake Moreno splits it into two arms, Moreno Este and Moreno Oeste, and each side has a beach with its own character. On one side is Playa del Viento; on the other, a sign advertises the "playa sin viento" (the windless beach), with a diving school and kayak rentals. Smaller and more sheltered than the Nahuel Huapi, Lake Moreno usually has calmer water.

For a wilder day, there is Villa Tacul, past the Llao Llao, inside the Llao Llao municipal park. The beach is small but sits at the edge of the forest, and trails lead from there to Lago Escondido and Cerro Llao Llao. There are no services or shops nearby, so bring water, food and warm layers.

Every summer the city runs a water safety program from December 1 to February 28. In the 2025-2026 season there were lifeguards at Centenario, Centro, Bonita, Serena, Moreno (Playa del Viento), Los Coihues and Arelauquen, every day from 2 to 8 p.m.

• Tour type: Leisure and sightseeing
• Difficulty level: Easy
• Tip: If you are going with children, pick a beach with lifeguards; bring water shoes for the pebbles and a jacket for the afternoon, and take your trash back with you.