Vieques
Puerto Rico · 20 m
Description
Vieques lies thirteen kilometres off the east coast and is the larger of the two island municipalities, a long low island of scrub, wild horses and empty beaches. The United States Navy held two thirds of it as a bombing range until 2003, and the land it left became a wildlife refuge, which is why beaches here are undeveloped and reached down dirt tracks. Mosquito Bay on the south coast holds the brightest bioluminescent water measured anywhere in the world, and kayaks go out after dark when there is no moon. Horses wander loose across the roads.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 3 to 7 days (optimal 4 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: December – April
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Mosquito Bay, the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world
- Playa Caracas and the southern coves
- Wild horses on the roads and beaches
- Sun Bay balneario
- Vieques National Wildlife Refuge on the former navy land
- Playa Negra black sand beach
- Esperanza waterfront and the malecón
- Snorkelling at Playa Grande and Media Luna
- Fortín Conde de Mirasol
- Ceiba tree and the island back roads
- Ferry crossing from Ceiba to Isabel Segunda
Getting there
- Airports:
- VQS
- Seaport:
- Reachable by ship or ferry