Santa Marta sits on a natural bay with its own city beach, but the best sand is at El Rodadero, a resort area just south of the centre. The waters here are calm and warm, with good snorkelling and diving. For something wilder, the beaches inside Tayrona National Park are spectacular -- though currents can be strong.
Big-game fishing is excellent off the coast, and at certain times of the year tarpon run in the Manzanares River. About two hours south, Cienaga Grande on the Magdalena River is a freshwater fishing paradise.