VIEQUES

Board the Puerto Rico Ferry for the stunning island of Vieques, located 6 miles east of mainland Puerto Rico. Vieques is known for its natural beauty, but the island offers visitors more than just stunning scenery and pristine beaches. Vieques may be small, only 21 miles long and 5 miles wide, but the list of things to do here is endless. From horseback riding on black sand beaches to snorkelling with sea turtles, there's a whole host of activities for visitors that can't be found anywhere else in the world!

THINGS TO DO IN VIEQUES

Illumination of plankton at Maldives. Many particles at black background.

VISIT MOSQUITO BAY

If there's only one thing to do on the island, this is it. Mosquito Bay is the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world. In fact, there are only 5 bioluminescent bays on the entire planet and 3 of them are in Puerto Rico. Book a glass-bottom kayak tour to get the best view of this natural phenomenon. The darker the night, the brighter the bioluminescence, so book your tour around the moon phases if you can be flexible.

Stand up paddle boarding or standup paddleboarding on quiet sea at sunset with beautiful colours during warm summer beach vacation holiday, active woman, close-up of water surface, legs and board

TAKE A DIP

There are plenty of water activities on the island of Vieques. Visit one of our favorite beaches, such as Playa la Chiva, Playa Media Luna, or Playa Caracas, and spend the day swimming alongside schools of brightly colored fish, manta rays, and sea turtles. Rent a stand-up paddle, jet ski, kayak or rowboat to see Vieques from a different perspective.

black sand beach

FIND THE BLACK SAND BEACH

Located on the southwest coast of the island, you'll find one of Vieques' most unique beaches. Playa Negra is a true hidden gem that deserves a top spot on your bucket list. You may even be greeted by a "wild" horse upon arrival, as they are often found grazing along the coast. Technically, most of the horses are owned, but the locals give them free rein to explore the island.
Wild Brown Horses

EXPLORING ON HORSEBACK

If you're looking for an adventurous day out with some scenic views along the way, then this could be the perfect activity to suit your needs. Get off the beaten tourist track by taking a horseback ride through the rolling hills and along the sandy beaches of Vieques.
Vieques old cannon

LEARN SOMETHING NEW

The historic Fort Conde de Mirasol was built in 1845 during the Spanish era. The unfinished fort overlooks the town of Isabela Segunda and is built of brick and features historic cannons. Here you will find a small museum where you can learn about the history of Vieques and admire beautiful works of art.
Turtle closeup with school of fish

GO WILD

The Vieques National Wildlife Refuge is the largest national wildlife refuge in the Caribbean. Many of the beaches, such as Pata Prieta and Playa Punta Arenas, located in the southeastern part of the island, are included in the refuge. The refuge has a wide variety of mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds and aquatic creatures spread over 17,771 acres of land. You will need to hire a four-wheel drive jeep to access some of the isolated areas.
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DID YOU KNOW?

  • Some 190 different bird species have been observed on Vieques.

  • Vieques is on Travel + Leisure's 2020 list of the best islands in the Caribbean.