12 Stunning Vieques Beaches You Need to Experience
Vieques Beaches: The Caribbean’s Best-Kept Secret
Vieques, Puerto Rico is a stunning island with some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. Known for its unspoiled natural beauty, Vieques is home to a variety of beaches, each with its own unique charm. Whether you’re looking for a secluded spot to relax or a lively beach for swimming and snorkeling, Vieques has something to offer everyone.
In addition to its beautiful beaches, Vieques also offers visitors a variety of other things to do, such as hiking, biking, and bird watching. So if you’re looking for a Caribbean getaway that’s off the beaten path, Vieques is the perfect place for you.
The Best Vieques Beaches for Snorkeling
Do you love searching the Caribbean waters for fish and other marine life? If so, these are the Vieques beaches for you.
Mosquito Pier
There are a few mosquito landmarks on Vieques. Mosquito Pier is on the island’s northeast side and is very popular with snorkelers and divers. Near the pier, there are a few small beaches like the one pictured above. The beach itself is fairly narrow but the water is calm and this is a great spot to set yourself up for the day if you want to spend some time snorkeling around the pier. Visitors have spotted colorful schools of fish, sea turtles, jellyfish, lobster, starfish, and more!
La Chiva (Blue Beach)
La Chiva can be a little tricky to find if you’re strictly following Google. So first things first, follow directions to National Wildlife Refuge via route 997. Once you get further in, you’ll see signage for the different beaches. In fact, there is a “Blue Beach” on Google maps – that is not the correct one.
You can definitely come here to relax, but many take advantage of the shallow beach for snorkeling. Be careful if walking into the water here, you may find fragile young coral or sea urchins!
The Best Vieques Beaches for Swimming
Playa Esperanza
Esperanza is a great area to use as a home base when visiting Vieques. Stay in one of these guest houses and watch the sunrise with a good book and coffee. The sunset pictured above is what can greet you each evening.
The beach here stretches all along the southern coast of the island. There are thin sections not suitable for swimming but further east near the pier there are crystal clear, calm waters perfect for a relaxing beach day. Unlike many Vieques beaches, this one has plenty of restaurants, bars, and shops nearby.
Playa Negra
Playa Negra is one of the most unique Vieques beaches. Its dark sands most obviously stand out. But in addition, getting to this black sand Vieques beach requires a short trek.
You can easily find the trailhead on Google Maps and park carefully along the street near the art gallery nearby. Bring sturdy shoes that you don’t mind getting mucky. It’s a 10-minute walk from the trailhead to the beach, and depending on recent weather, it may be very muddy and wet.
There are no facilities here, so plan ahead and bring what you need!
Playa Caracas
Playa Caracas is one of my favorite Vieques beaches. As you can see in the photos above, it has the most striking white sand, accompanied by iconic turquoise waters. Because this beach is a little further off the beaten path, it’s fairly quiet while still being easy to access.
Caracas has a bathroom and gazebos for picnicking. There are plenty of trash cans, grills, and parking as well. Best of all, there are wild horses! This beach is their home and it only adds to the unspoilt charm of Playa Caracas.
The Best Vieques Beaches for Sunbathing
Playa Sun Bay
Playa Sun Bay is one of the least shaded Vieques beaches, which makes it perfect for working on your tan. If you need a break from the sun, bring an umbrella! This beach is closer to Esperanza, meaning you’re closer to the shops and restaurants, but it can get busy – and for good reason.
One note of caution, the horses here can get pretty aggressive. There are some showers and the horses have been known to use them as their personal water fountain.
Playa Media Luna
Media Luna Beach is nestled in a bay, making it one of the calmest of Vieques’ beaches. There are no facilities here but this quiet, beautiful beach is totally worth a visit.
More Vieques Beaches!
Navio
Just east of Media Luna, you’ll reach Navio Beach. The road here is bumpy and hole filled but still reachable with a regular car if you’re careful. If you like body surfing, bring your boogie boards for some fun in Navio’s waves. The bright blue waters are an intense contrast against the white sand. Playa Navio is also popular among explorers and photographers for its hidden caves.
Sun Bay, Media Luna, and Navio are all Vieques beaches in the same general section, one right after the other, just east of Esperanza.
Playuela
Traveling east further into the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge, Playuela is on the way to Caracas Beach. (Just don’t miss the entrance!) We visited several of these close beaches on the same day.
Playuela (also called García Beach) is one of the most secluded beaches on Vieques. It wouldn’t be uncommon for you to have it, and the tiny island of Cayo Chiva all to yourself. Hiking enthusiasts can explore the Cerro Playuela trails, which boast spectacular views of the Puerto Ferro Cliffs and the surrounding beaches.
Pata Prieta Beach
Pata Prieta Beach is a small cove even further east in the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge. Most of the Vieques beaches I’ve mentioned are fairly easy to reach. This one is a bit tougher due to the unpaved road. It can also be tricky to find but it’s labeled as “Secret Beach” on Google Maps.
Pata Prieta offers good snorkeling, especially in the summer months. There are times of course when the water is less calm, but many report seeing rays here. Most of the time, the waters are perfect for a relaxing swim for both adults and children.
Escondida Beach
Escondida means “hidden” and it seems like a very appropriate name. The road here is a bit rough but this beach does feel like it was secretly created for the few special humans who can find it.
Playa La Chiva is close by and much more popular. You could visit both and have the best of both worlds! In very recent months, visitors have reported a lot of seaweed but don’t let that completely deter you.
Beach at Parque de la Ceiba de Vieques Reserva Natural
This is one of the Vieques beaches we found by accident. We were scouting the northern coastline looking for starfish and other marine life close to shore. We also wanted to see the famous 400-year-old Cieba tree nearby, which is absolutely worth a stop! This spontaneous find though ended up being our favorite sunset spot.
Vieques Beaches I Would Skip
Playa Punta Arenas
Maybe this beach has changed or we just caught it on an off day. The drive was long and filled with potholes and the beach was very narrow and very buggy. We did get to see a beautiful horse (pictured above). There are many positive reviews for this beach, so don’t let me scare you off. There is something cool about traveling to the very edge and corner of an island.
Tips for Visiting Vieques’ Beaches
When to Visit
Truthfully there’s not a bad time to visit Vieques. The weather is fairly similar year-round and doesn’t have distinct seasons like in other locations. The best months for good weather and lower crowds are April and May.
Late August through mid-November are also great for lower airfare and cheaper accommodations. The summer months of July and August tend to the be rainiest, but it’s still warm and good for hopping those Vieques beaches.
How to Get There
The best way to get to Vieques is via a ferry boat. It leaves out of Ceiba, on Puerto Rico’s eastern coast, six or more times per day. You can find the schedule and buy tickets here. Adult non-resident roundtrip tickets will only set you back $4! Make sure to buy tickets early. If they run out online, you can usually still buy at the terminal. The boats usually fill up, so ensure you arrive in Ceiba at least an hour before your departure time.
Where to Stay
Esperanza overall is the best area to stay in, and there is no shortage of great guest houses and hotels to stay in! This area gives access to some of the most popular Vieques beaches too. Malecon House, El Blok, Tradewinds, and Hacienda Tamarindo are all wonderful, comfortable options. If you’d like more advice and help to book your stay in Vieques, email me.
Conclusion: Why You Should Visit Vieques’ Beaches
It’s hard to imagine but this article doesn’t even cover all of the alluring Vieques beaches that this island has to offer! Whether you prefer to snorkel, swim, or simply sunbathe, there are seemingly endless choices when visiting Vieques. Being here is truly like stepping into a postcard – don’t miss it!
Keep Reading Beyond Vieques Beaches…
What’s the Best San Juan Puerto Rico Beach?
Is San Juan Walkable? – The Best Self Guided Walking Itinerary
Where to Eat and Drink in San Juan 2023 – Hot Spots You Need to Try!
Featured Image: Photo by Ethan Jameson on Unsplash
