March 28, 2024

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

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

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When quite a few vacationers stick to the mainland when traveling to Puerto Rico, there are actually in excess of 100 islands, islets, and cays that are aspect of this wonderful archipelago.  Many are uninhabited and wholly disregarded by the standard tourist. 

The islands of Culebra and Vieques aren’t totally isolated – in truth, they are extremely easy to get to – but they are a great deal significantly less traveled than other elements of Puerto Rico, earning them great 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 property to not only some of the finest beach locations in Puerto Rico, but some of the most effective seashores in the environment.  

Located only a handful of miles off the eastern coastline of mainland Puerto Rico (6 miles to Vieques and 20 to Culebra), these islands are mainly included in wildlife reserves, and for that rationale, are a great area 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 most well-liked attractions in Culebra and Vieques are the environment-renowned beaches and bioluminescent bays. There are also a large amount of routines to do inside the sprawling wildlife reserves, such as climbing, diving, snorkeling, bird-viewing, and even recognizing some wild horses! Right here are some of the amazing strategies you can commit your days on these stunning islands.

Stop by Some of the Very best Beach locations in the World

Culebra’s white-sand Flamenco Seaside was named a single of the major 25 shorelines in the globe by TripAdvisor.  Its relaxed waves and crystal-very clear waters make a good location for having fun with a comforting day or accomplishing some snorkeling.  The colourful graffiti-protected tanks that remain on the beach are a reminder of the island’s past as a naval foundation and a unique picture op.

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

Zoni and Tamarindo beach locations are well-known snorkeling and diving spots on Culebra, and you are most likely to see sea turtles or even manta rays.  If you’re up for a problem with a worthy reward, you can hike the rocky trail primary down to the secluded Resaca beach front.

On Vieques, you’ll discover the greatest of both of those worlds with pristine white beaches as properly as a black sand beach, Playita Negra.  Playa Esperanza and Sunshine Bay are regarded for their tranquil waters, and Pata Prieta, or “Secret Beach front,” is nonetheless another concealed gem exactly where you can shell out your day stress-free with tiny to no crowds.

For the reason that most of the shorelines on both islands are extremely secluded, the the greater part won’t have services of any type.  You will want to keep in mind to provide everything you will need, which includes h2o, foods, and some thing to safeguard oneself from the sunlight – and then, of training course, pack everything out when you leave. 

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

Kayak Among Bioluminescent Phytoplankton

Aside from its extraordinary beach locations, the top rated place of interest on Vieques is Mosquito Bay.  This place was in fact regarded by the Guinness Book of Globe Data as the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world. 

People can take a tour in a obvious-bottomed kayak via the bay and look at as the h2o glows blue when touched.  For an even much better experience, it’s suggested to go to during a new moon.  This, combined with the lack of gentle pollution right here, will permit 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

Lots of smaller sized, uninhabited islands encompass Vieques and Culebra, including Isla Culebrita and other cays.  You can effortlessly spend a day island hopping to some amazing, untouched islets for even extra distant and tranquil beach locations.  These cays are also the ideal place for snorkeling and diving among undisturbed marine existence.  You can get to these hidden places by h2o taxi, charter boat, or even kayak.

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

Investigate The Island’s Character By Jeep

Wildlife reserves go over a significant part of both equally islands.  In truth, the Vieques Countrywide Wildlife Reserve features 20,000 acres of guarded land and 9 nautical miles of a marine reserve.  Just one of the finest methods to discover the distant sections of the island is to rent a Jeep, scooter, or even golfing cart. 

This will allow you to beach front hop, discover distant climbing trails, uncover the island’s concealed gems, and probable come throughout some of the island’s many wild horses.   

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

How To Get There

Finding to Culebra and Vieques is fairly quick.  Both are accessible by tiny plane, with flights leaving numerous periods a working day from San Juan (Isla Grande airport and SJU).  The flights are only all-around 25-35 minutes, dependent on which island you’re likely to, and price tag all around $100.

Ferries are the more affordable selection, whilst not rather as convenient.  Ferries depart from the smaller city of Ceiba on the jap coast, which is about 40 minutes from San Juan.  The journey is 30-45 minutes, and tickets for possibly island will only set you out $2-$4.  Even though ferries depart quite a few situations a working day, they can get occupied, so it’s advised to buy your ticket in progress.

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This post originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com