Punta Arenas and Green Beach

In the summer and weekends green beach is lined with yachts from Puerto Rico and St. John enjoying this sunny spot for swimming and some of the best snorkeling on the south side of the beach.

Punta Arenas is to the right of green beach at the northwestern tip of Vieques Island where the Caribbean and the Atlantic meet and you can see the two oceans join. The currents are very strong at this point and swimming is not allowed.

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Playa Gallito

Playa Gallito also known as Gringo Beach

Close to the airport and on the west side of the W hotel this Vieques beach has parking right off the road offering easy access. A sandy beach that is great for swimming, surfing and snorkeling. This beach is popular with locals who enjoy its convenience.

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La Chata Beach

Seasonal breezes across the Atlantic make this beach ideal for surfing. The coral at the shallow part of the beach make it prohibitive for swimming but perfect for snorkeling amongst the sea life in the summer months when the waters of Vieques are calm. Along this tropical beach you can enjoy beautiful views of Culebra and Culebrita during the day or picturesque sunset walks in the late afternoon.

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Playuela

Playuela also known as Garcia Beach

A beautiful stretch of tropical beach that is separated from Playa Caracas by a sea cliff. To get there just turn right at the sign on the way to Playa Caracas. It is a bit of a walk from the parking area (approx. 1 mile) however, this is why Playuela is so peaceful.

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Playa Caracas

Playa Caracas also known as Red Beach

Easy to reach, this long stretch of beach is convenient for driving up and dipping in. Covered cabanas make this spot ideal for gatherings and picnics. With its turquoise waters, surrounding hills and soft sand it has become a favorite for locals.

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Pata Prieta

Pata Prieta also known as Secret Beach

The calm clear waters of this smaller Vieques beach make it an ideal spot to unwind. There is a beautiful coral stretch of beach to the right making this a wonderful place to snorkel. A smaller parking area ensures that there will never be too many people.

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La Chiva

La Chiva also known as Blue Beach

Expansive Blue Beaches, this long stretch is perfectly picturesque. There is no way to describe the beauty of this beach. You have to see it for yourself. Relax, sunbathe, snorkel along the sandbar and explore this Vieques beach. There are small individual parking areas along the road with entrances to this beach.

Insiders' Tip: Look for the sign marked #10 it is a favorite spot where there is a large sandbar and it's shallow forever.

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Escondida

If you are looking for a romantic beach on Vieques Island, this is it—beautiful white sands and turquoise water surrounded by green hills in an intimate cove. With only one access point and room for only two cars, this beach is the ultimate cozy retreat.

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Playa de La Plata

Playa de La Plata also known as Orchid Beach

On a calm day you can see the most amazing shades of blue here. Short walks just beyond both sides of the beach take you to rocky terrain where you can explore the cacti in the drier climate zones.

* "Plata" means silver in Spanish, so it's also referred to as Silver Beach.

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Esperanza Beach

This is a great beach for snorkeling since there is a lot of marine life by the Old Sugar Pier, as well as out by the cay (also known as Cayo Afuera, the small island off the coast). Look for stingrays, spotted eagle rays, turtles, sardines and other sea life here.

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Sun Bay Beach

The first of the public beaches, Sun Bay has restrooms, showers, telephones, plenty of parking and campgrounds. Palm trees line this beach. With picnic tables, accessibility, and facilities, this is the ideal spot for families and picnics.

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Media Luna

Shallow, secluded and calm, Media Luna (Half Moon) is great for sitting in the serene water and relaxing. It's a bit of a bumpy ride to get here and a contrast to Navio’s rolling waves (seasonal) farther up the road.

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Navio

Secluded and small, this is one of the prettiest beaches on Vieques island. Beautiful hillsides surround this intimate beach, and when the surfs up, this beach is a blast. It is a bumpy ride and the furthest of the public beaches, but it's well worth the adventure.

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Playa Negrita

Playa Negrita also known as Black Sand Beach

Even many locals don’t know of this beach! This is a black, volcanic-sand beach that is accessible only by a small hike (bring shoes) down a footpath to the beach. To get there, head away from Esperanza and look for the dirt road on the left side after passing Gallery Galleon. Walk along the trail. (There's a sign at the trailhead saying, “No tires.”) Take a left immediately before the cliff that overlooks the beach. The island scenery here is amazing and it is a wonderful place to explore.

*The black sand is composed of Magnetite, a naturally occurring iron mineral. It is one of just a few minerals that are attracted to a magnet.

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Playa Grande

The “Big Beach” is lush with palm trees, big rocks, and beautiful island views. Perfect for a meditative walk along the beach and relaxing while taking in the fantastic scenery.

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