Things to see and do Vieques - Culebra

Commonly known as "Bio Bay", the bioluminescent bay of Vieques is the island's main environmental treasure. If there are five in the world, including three in Puerto Rico, this one is probably the most spectacular, by its size and brightness. They are micro-organisms, dinoflagellates, which are signaled by a small neon light as soon as the water gets agitated around them. A simple observation is therefore not enough. No agitation, no reaction. The micro-organisms at the origin of this phenomenon are however very fragile, which is why swimming, day and night, is forbidden. Indeed, many conditions are necessary to allow these micro-organisms to survive: the presence of mangroves, whose dead leaves enrich the plankton, a constant quality and temperature of the water. This requires the reduction of human pollution by artificial lights and products dejections. Human sweat, perfumes or mosquito repellents applied to the skin can considerably harm them. That's why it's better to just visit by canoe. The survival of this biological treasure depends on it. Unfortunately, at certain periods, several dozen kayaks, chartered by local agencies, are on the water at the same time and that makes a lot of people at the beginning. But it is difficult to be apart and the excursions are generally well organized and respectful of the environment.

This small, rare and fascinating beach is located on the south coast, west of Esperanza (at the intersection of Route 996 and PR-201 take a left). You can park along the road and must take a dirt road to get there. There is a sign indicating the trail. Count 10 minutes of walking at a good pace, through a beautiful coastal forest. At the arrival, you will discover a dreamy cove, at the foot of a cliff, and a beach of magnetic black sand. This one would even have virtues for the skin. Natural spa guaranteed.

This beach, located on the west side of Culebra, is particularly pleasant for snorkeling, especially for those who are new to the sport. It is home to many sea turtles. On the other hand, you will have to be very careful with sea urchins, it is in this part of the island that there are the most. Playa Melones has the advantage of being quickly accessible by foot from downtown Dewey. On the other hand, it is not a beautiful beach, the water is not clear and the sand is covered with coral remains in some places.

The museum is administered by the Culebra Foundation. You will discover old maps, a whole bunch of objects of sailors, old ammunition… The visit allows you to dive in the heart of the island.

The lighthouse of Culebra, or rather what remains, still cannot be visited today. At the beginning of 2003, Culebra was granted some $ 700 000, but the estimated cost of the work would be much higher than that amount. Its construction dates from 1882 to completion in 1886. For a long time, it remained the Oldest Lighthouse in the Caribbean, before the US Navy closes in 1975.

Culebrita (small Culebra) is an island east of Culebra. You will find a taste of paradise. If you find a small boat or a water taxi, then you can join this magical place of wild beauty, on which there is an absolute dream beach, the Playa Terrace, a true postcard landscape. It is difficult to find a more enchanting framework than this one. Turquoise, quiet and shallow water, white sand, olympian calm… Experience to live for half a day or even a day for those who enjoy idyllic escape.

A portion of the main island of Culebra and all the surrounding islets, or 25% of the total area, are designated as a National Wildlife Refuge. Best of all, one of the first bird parks in the United States is located in Culebra. It was founded in 1909 by President Roosevelt. Nearly 60,000 birds visit the island each year. The area is also known to be home to rare species of turtles, which come to nest in the sand of the archipelago every year. The natural park offers many opportunities for walks.

This is probably the beach that looks the least like its sisters on the island. With its pebbles and small rocky cliffs, it offers a much less hospitable setting than the other beaches in the area. Even cacti grow there! The place is nonetheless beautiful. The area is particularly pleasant for snorkeling, especially for beginners. For that you have to go to the left side of Punta Soldado. The beach is accessible on foot by a path from the parking lot (about 20 minutes on foot).

Every day at 18 a. m., the group meets near Trade winds on Flamboyán street for a departure to Mosquito Beach and its famous Bioluminescent bay. 

Also called "Red Beach", it is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island (yet another one!), accessible from the interior. Since it is located 7 km east of Esperanza, you have to enter the National Wild Refuge to find the way. Relatively small compared to Esperanza Beach, it is lined with wooden cabins set up for easy picnicking. It remains very busy throughout the year, especially on weekends. On weekends, you can go to La Chiva beach (Blue Beach).

It is one of the most accessible beaches on the island, and also one of the most beautiful. In Vieques, the perfect rounding of this bay extends for almost 1 km. From Esperanza, you can reach it by going along the coast and cutting off a little. From Flamboyan Street, it takes about 10 minutes. Alternatively, you can reach it by car through the entrance along Highway 997. The beach is managed by the Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources, so it has a few extras: bathrooms, showers, changing rooms, barbecues, kiosks, etc.

This is undoubtedly a splendid beach. The mixture of vegetation, fine sand, turquoise and transparent water is superb. Aesthetically, it is difficult to do better. And as the beach is less accessible than the magnificent "Red Beach", you will probably often find yourself alone or almost, in low season. Surrounded by small cliffs, the beach gives the impression of having arrived on a deserted island, so much the feeling of being cut off from the world seizes you. On the other hand, be careful, the waves are sometimes quite violent.

If you like long walks on the beach, snorkeling or hiking in crystal clear water, if you want to see a lot, you should visit the beautiful bay of La Chiva. Once called "Blue Beach" by the U.S. Navy, the name is no longer used and the locals prefer its official name of La Chiva. It is also in winter the best spot on the island for surfers. Some areas are closed to visitors and are marked with signs; for your safety, please respect them.

This beach will quickly become a paradise for those who want to be alone on a fine sandy beach, one of the most secluded on the island. The access by land is not the easiest, but your efforts will be rewarded. If you want to observe the corals and fish with a mask, snorkel and fins, this is one of the most extensive places on Vieques. The beach is also known as "Green Beach". It is part of the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge. It is best to go in the morning to avoid the sand flies that arrive in the afternoon.

This beach is the children's paradise. And also adults who can relax monitoring, the water being so calm. Fine sand and steep coast in perspective. The location is ideal for a few starfish, hence the name of the beach. It is located along the coast, at Laguna Kiani, in the west of the island.

As paradoxical as it may seem, it's night to visit it. Here is the famous Bioluminescent bay. There are only 5 in the world. To get there, you must go through an agency that organizes the excursions (see the "Sports and Leisure" section of Esperanza).

On the way to this beach, located on the northeast coast of Culebra, the rural and popular atmosphere of the island gradually disappears to give way to large estates and majestic houses. Once the coast is reached, the visitor feels alone in the world again and discovers one of the most beautiful beaches of Culebra. Zoní is just as captivating as its famous sister, Flamenco, but less crowded (because it does not have parking, sanitary facilities, food stands, etc.). Its fine sand and turquoise water make it a postcard landscape.

To access this site, you take a small dirt road from the parking lot of Flamenco Beach. The beginning of the path is located west of it. It takes about 20 minutes to reach Carlos Rosario beach, which is much quieter than its neighboring Playa Flamenco. Once there, the change of scenery is total. Snorkeling enthusiasts will quickly find their happiness: if you have a little experience, you can explore "The wall", a long underwater wall covered with coral. The site is worth the detour, especially since it remains little visited.

It is not a fantastic beach in itself (a lot of rocks and not much sand), but it is easily accessible from Dewey (in only 5 minutes by car) and it is undeniably interesting. The place is indeed very pleasant to observe the sea bed, many fishes, turtles and even rays. Moreover, it is easy to reach the beach of Melones by sea. Not having the best reputation of the island, it remains little frequented and can be an interesting option if you are looking for a little intimacy.

It is one of the most difficult beaches to reach by land on the island. Count on a good half-hour walk to go up to the top of Mount Resaca and then to go back down to the sea. The short hike is in no way restful, but may be worth the detour if you feel like surfing on a deserted and wild beach. Indeed, it is not really fantastic for swimming because of the strong waves. But the more athletic will enjoy the walk and will take advantage of the striking landscapes.