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Vieques Island, Isla de Vieques, Puerto Rico, Best Beaches
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The best Vieques Island has to offer is the beauty of the beaches. Wide bays, small secluded coves, white sandy beaches, black sandy beaches, Isla de Vieques has plenty of
solitary and beautiful beaches waiting for you. Whatever you fancy you will find it here. The following is a guide to planning your beach days in Vieques Island. Used to be that the Navy controlled 66% of the land in Vieques but that is not so anymore. Most Vieques beaches are opened to the public all year round except for road maintenance and such. Some beaches are off-limits because they are in the process of being cleaned of contaminations and unexploded ordnance after the Navy left. These Isla de Vieques beaches are clearly marked and access is restricted by land and sea.
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Index to this page contents
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Ensenada Honda Huge bay, used to protect boats from hurricanes. It has a couple of snorkeling spots at the entrance to the bay.
Great for fishing. |
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Playita at Puerto Ferro Bay Nice, secluded beach next to the Tres Palmitas boat ramp at the Puerto Ferro Bay.
Great snorkeling from here to the entrance of the Bay. |
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Bahía Tapón This bay is not even accessible by boat. The entrance to the bay is very shallow. There is a nice reef right at the entrance. You can access is on a trail that starts from the road leading to Caracas Beach, right at the intersection with the Tres Palmitas road. You could also get there by kayak from Caracas.
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| The following beaches are in public lands under the control of the Recreation
and Sports Department of the government (Sun Bay Beach) or the Department of
Natural Resources. They are opened to the public at all times.
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Balneario Sun Bay Sun Bay Beach has been awarded Blue Flag status for the first time in December 2012.The most spectacular bay you will ever see. Great for swimming. It has facilities and a campground. Call (787) 741-8198 for campground info.
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Sun Bay Beach is one of the widest bays in Vieques, a pleasure to walk, and is close to Esperanza's restaurants.
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Media Luna Beach
Shallow Bay, you can walk over 40 feet into the Bay with the water at your waist. Very popular with families with small kids.
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Navio
Small Vieques beach with a strong surf. It is secluded. You have to get to Media Luna beach first, and from there to Navio beach.
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Esperanza Beach
Great swimming.Good snorkeling around the keys and to the west side of the beach. Several restaurants along the beach. Hiking trail to key connected to the beach by a narrow sand path. |
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Gallito Beach
Located in the north coastline of Vieques, close to the airport. Popular spot among local surfers with the right conditions. |
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La Chata Beach
This is the local surfers favorite beach.
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Playa Negra
Located next to Gallery Galleon, following a dry stream until it gets to the beach. The sand is mostly black.
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The west-end Navy base was used for storage of ordnance. The lands were returned
to the government of Puerto Rico in April 2001. The beaches are now opened to the public 24 hours. |
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Rompeolas
Over a mile-long jetty and pier. Diving spot for advanced divers. Great night fishing spot. Note that the pier area has been closed for construction of the new facilities for the short ferry route from Vieques to Puerto Rico. The beach on the west side of the jetty is very calm and clear. Great spot for novice divers or snorkelers.
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Punta Arenas
A favorite spot among boaters from Puerto Rico and a beautiful beach. Great swimming. Several picnic gazebos available. There are several beaches here extending along the whole west side of the Island. This area is a Reserve. Not opened at night.
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Playa Grande
Located on the south side of the old west Navy base. Now open to the public 24 hours. The surf is too strong for swimming here. It is a great sightseeing location because the road takes you close to the beach along the whole south side of the Island. Good for fishing. |
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When the gates at former Camp García were brought down by Viequenses (see the news,
or Español)
on May 1st, 2003, the old Naval training facilities had already been transferred to Fish and
Wildlife. A new national refuge was created and is now the
largest national refuge in the Caribbean. Many areas within the Vieques Island refuge are still
closed to the public. These areas are identified as such and the roads are
blocked for your protection. The most popular beaches on the area have been inspected by the Navy and by EPA and
declared safe for the public.
The Vieques NWR staff will keep the community informed of new changes. For additional information, please call 787-741-2138 or pass by the USFWS office from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
Note that the Navy changed the names of these beaches during their occupation, and the people of Vieques is now trying to restore the old names. Fish & Wild Life have been helpful by posting signs with the old names. Please, learn the new names as we are trying to preserve them. |
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La Chiva
(previously known as Blue Beach) A long bay that holds several beaches. There is a key here easy to get to by kayak or snorkeling. There are some gazebos.
CAUTION. The key off Bahia La Chiva and the adyacent waters have been marked off-limit due to munitions found in land and in water. You are warned to say away from it until further notice. For more information check Vieques Blog
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Caracas
(previously known as Red Beach) Fish & Wildlife built several gazebos along the beach and keeps the area very clean and tidy. This is a favorite spot among locals and tourists so get here early to get your gazebo for the day. It is easier to reach than Bahía La Chiva.
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Pata Prieta Secluded bay with mostly soft surf and good snorkeling on the corners. Located between Playa Caracas and La Chiva. |
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Playuela Large straight beach located before Playa Caracas. |
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La Plata Beautiful bay, great swimming
and exploring beach. It is the last accessible beach on the Fish &
Wildlife Reserve. Located after La Chiva. |
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Snorkeling,
Scuba diving, Sailing, Kayaking, Jet Ski, Biking, Charters and Tours
Updated Jan 30, 2013
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