Snorkeling Puerto Rico: Crash Boat Beach

General Description:   Crash Boat is one of those special places that is better than expected once you get there.   There is a long pier into the water along with 3 separate island piers where the snorkeling among the pier pilings is incredible.    Coral grows on the pilings, but the fish swimming among the pilings is what will leave you with the feeling that you have experienced something special.  On the beach, there are a couple of hut bars along with food vendors that give the place a party-like atmosphere.   This local family beach has become one of my favorites.

Degree of Difficulty: Intermediate due to the 100 yard swim out to the Island Pilings.

Grid Coordinates:  18.458231, -67.164402

Maps:   PR Aguadilla 20130925 Topo

Finding the Beach:    Located on the western coast of Puerto Rico it is more than 3 hours from San Juan.  Take Highway 2 from San Juan to Aguadilla for about 3 hours.  Turn right on Highway 107; drive about 3 miles follow the signs to Crash Boat Beach.  Take a left on to PR 458 follow the road to the beach.  Stay the night in the many Hotels in Aguadilla or at the old Ramey Air Force Base.

Beach Overview:     This is a small public beach not in the park system.   It has free parking and many food vendors and beach hut bars.   It has a family picnic atmosphere. Snorkel but also enjoy the beach and the local food.  This place will not be forgotten.


Snorkeling Instructions:     Enter the water to the right of the Pier.  Avoid snorkeling along the Pier that runs out into the water due to the many people fishing from the pier.   You can also walk out on the pier and make the 15 foot jump into the water at the end of the pier.  Swim to one of the pier Islands you can swim through and around the pier pilings.   These three Island Piers are used for weather equipment and are not accessible by land.   Swim from the pier to enjoy the many fish and colorful coral.