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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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Punta
Arenas |
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Index to this page contents
| 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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Sun Bay Beach The most spectacular bay you will ever see. Great for swimming. It has facilities and a campground. Call (787) 741-8198 for campground info.
The only other beach with facilities (portable toilets) is Caracas beach
inside Fish & Wildlife Reserve. |
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Bay Beach
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Click on the left to see more pictures of Sun Bay
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Media Luna
Shallow Bay, you can walk over 40 feet into the Bay with the water at your waist. Great for kids or laid back adults.
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Luna
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Click on the left to see more pictures of
Media Luna Beach
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Navio Beach
Small Vieques beach with a strong surf. It is secluded.
You can catch a game of beach volleyball among residents here on Sunday
afternoons.
Photo Courtesy Melissa Chase
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| Navio Beach
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Playa Esperanza/Esperanza Beach, Vieques 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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Playa
Esperanza
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Click on the left for more pictures of Playa Esperanza. |
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Playa
Gallito/Gringo 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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Playa Gallito
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Click on the left for more pictures of Playa Gallito. |
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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 (Mosquito Pier)
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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Mosquito Pier
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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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Punta Arenas
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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. |
| Playa Grande |
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Photo by Oscar Bermúdez |
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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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Bahia 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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Bahia La Chiva
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Playa Caracas or Bahía Corcho (previously
known as Red Beach) Fish & Wildlife built several
gazebos along the beach and added portable toilets. 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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Playa Caracas
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Click on the left for more pictures. |
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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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Pata Prieta
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Playuela Large straight beach located before Playa Caracas. |
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Playuela
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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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La Plata
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More pictures
Diving
locations
Snorkeling,
Scuba diving, Sailing, Kayaking, Jet Ski, Biking, Charters and Tours
Updated Mar 02, 2011
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