Why These Much less-Traveled Caribbean Islands Should Be Your Next Beach Vacation Destination

While many vacationers keep on with the mainland when visiting Puerto Rico, there are literally over 100 islands, islets, and cays which are a part of this lovely archipelago. Many are uninhabited and fully missed by the standard vacationer.

The islands of Culebra and Vieques aren’t solely remoted – in truth, they’re very straightforward to get to – however they’re much much less traveled than different components of Puerto Rico, making them splendid for a secluded getaway.

Boats docked at a bay on Isla Culebrita in Puerto Rico

Fondly dubbed the “Spanish Virgin Islands,” Culebra and Vieques are residence to not solely a few of the finest seashores in Puerto Rico, however a few of the finest seashores on the planet.

Located just a few miles off the japanese coast of mainland Puerto Rico (6 miles to Vieques and 20 to Culebra), these islands are largely lined in wildlife reserves, and for that motive, are an ideal place for mountaineering, snorkeling, and diving.

Wild horses walking on the beach on the island of Vieques in Puerto Rico

What To Do in Culebra and Vieques

The hottest sights in Culebra and Vieques are the world-renowned seashores and bioluminescent bays. There are additionally loads of actions to do contained in the sprawling wildlife reserves, together with mountaineering, diving, snorkeling, bird-watching, and even recognizing some wild horses! Here are a few of the wonderful methods you may spend your days on these spectacular islands.

Visit Some of the Best Beaches within the World

Culebra’s white-sand Flamenco Beach was named one of many prime 25 seashores on the planet by TripAdvisor. Its calm waves and crystal-clear waters make a terrific setting for having fun with a calming day or doing a little snorkeling. The colourful graffiti-covered tanks that stay on the seaside are a reminder of the island’s previous as a naval base and a novel picture op.

Top 5 Travel Insurance Plans For 2023 Starting At $10 Per Week

Colorful tank sitting on a white sand beach at Flamenco Beach in Culebra Puerto Rico

Zoni and Tamarindo seashores are fashionable snorkeling and diving spots on Culebra, and also you’re prone to see sea turtles and even manta rays. If you’re up for a problem with a worthy reward, you may hike the rocky path main all the way down to the secluded Resaca seaside.

On Vieques, you’ll discover the most effective of each worlds with pristine white seashores in addition to a black sand seaside, Playita Negra. Playa Esperanza and Sun Bay are recognized for his or her tranquil waters, and Pata Prieta, or “Secret Beach,” is yet one more hidden gem the place you may spend your day enjoyable with little to no crowds.

Because a lot of the seashores on each islands are very secluded, the bulk gained’t have services of any form. You’ll need to keep in mind to convey all the pieces you want, together with water, meals, and one thing to guard your self from the solar – after which, in fact, pack all the pieces out while you depart.

Bioluminescent plankton glowing blue in a bay with boats in the background

Kayak Amongst Bioluminescent Phytoplankton

Aside from its unimaginable seashores, the highest focal point on Vieques is Mosquito Bay. This space was truly acknowledged by the Guinness Book of World Records because the brightest bioluminescent bay on the planet.

Visitors can take a tour in a clear-bottomed kayak by way of the bay and watch because the water glows blue when touched. For a fair higher expertise, it’s prompt to go to throughout a brand new moon. This, mixed with the shortage of sunshine air pollution right here, will assist you to see the phytoplankton at their brightest.

The Caribbean Sea and white sand backdrop of Playa Zoni beach on a sunny day in Culebra, Puerto Rico

Island Hop To Nearby Islands

Many smaller, uninhabited islands encompass Vieques and Culebra, together with Isla Culebrita and different cays. You can simply spend a day island hopping to some unimaginable, untouched islets for much more distant and tranquil seashores. These cays are additionally the right spot for snorkeling and diving amongst undisturbed marine life. You can get to those hidden places by water taxi, constitution boat, and even kayak.

Fisheye view under water revealing native vegetation and coral reef at Tampico Beach on Caribbean island of Isla Culebra

Explore The Island’s Nature By Jeep

Wildlife reserves cowl a big portion of each islands. In truth, the Vieques National Wildlife Reserve consists of 20,000 acres of protected land and 9 nautical miles of a marine reserve. One of the most effective methods to discover the distant components of the island is to lease a Jeep, scooter, and even golf cart.

This will assist you to seaside hop, discover distant mountaineering trails, uncover the island’s hidden gems, and sure come throughout a few of the island’s many wild horses.

Turtle swimming among colorful coral reef with swimmers and divers observing nearby

How To Get There

Getting to Culebra and Vieques is comparatively straightforward. Both are accessible by small aircraft, with flights leaving a number of instances a day from San Juan (Isla Grande airport and SJU). The flights are solely round 25-35 minutes, relying on which island you’re going to, and value round $100.

Ferries are the extra economical choice, though not fairly as handy. Ferries depart from the small city of Ceiba on the japanese coast, which is about 40 minutes from San Juan. The journey is 30-45 minutes, and tickets for both island will solely put you out $2-$4. Although ferries depart a number of instances a day, they’ll get busy, so it’s really useful to buy your ticket prematurely.

Traveler Alert: Don’t Forget Travel Insurance For Your Next Trip!

↓ Join Our Community ↓

The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the most recent reopening information, conversations, and Q&A’s taking place every day!