Snorkeling or Sun Worship at Playa Luquillo

General Description:  This is one of the most scenic beaches on the main island of Puerto Rico.  The snorkeling was mediocre but has possibilities.  You still must go here for the day to soak up some sun and shop at the kiosk near the beach.  


Degree of Difficulty:  Difficult

Grid Coordinates:  18.382847, -65.730023

Maps:   USGS 5964508 Fajardo OE N US Topo Puerto Rico


Finding the Beach:  From San Juan take Highway 66 to Highway 3.  Exit to the right headed east.   After about 10 miles the ocean will become visible from Highway 3.  You will see a long line of open air shops and restaurants, between the beach and the highway on the left.  The beach entrance is at the next light.  Take a left into Luquillo Beach.  The road will bear to the right, you come to a gate, there is a $4 entrance fee.   This is a large beach complex with many services.

Beach Overview:  This beach is hands down the best swim beach on the main Island of Puerto Rico.  There is no surf and the mountain views of El Yunque National Forest make you feel like you're in an exotic land and you are.  It is the definition of a tropical paradise.  The beach is a good 1 to a 1 1/2 miles long you can walk to open air restaurants and shops on the west end of the beach.   Although these shops are not part of the formal beach they provide a very local shopping and dining experience.   We had lunch one of the seafood restaurants.  The best ceviche I have had on the island.   For the very adventurous there is camping at the beach, with bars and restaurants close by this could be a fun time.    

Snorkeling Instructions:    This beach did not have very good snorkeling but with that being said I only snorkeled at the east end of the beach.  There might be some good snorkeling out further from the beach near the breakwater reef.  That would be a good 300 yard swim.   I did see people walking out on a reef further to the east off the beach.  As I said before this is one of the most unbelievable beaches I have ever been to.   There is a true feeling of paradise here.   There is a channel that leads to the breakwater and a reef at the east end of the beach.   This might be a good try.