Snorkeling Puerto Rico: A Three day Trip to the Island of Culebra

Culebra

Culebra the Island of my many dreams.   To me it is impossible for this Island to exist in this pristine state.  The shear lack of commercialism sets the heart back.  It seems to be locked into a vacuum of time and space.  Rarely have I experienced a place of such unadulterated beauty.  The Island of Culebra has yet to be invaded by the multibillion dollar resort culture.  Get there as soon as you can, because it won't last long.  I have heard that this place had some of the best snorkeling in the Caribbean.  Guess what it turned out to be true.

Ryan with the Scooters

This is a trip that me and my son took in February of 2014.   He lives in Old San Juan and had been there on a trip with friends.  He told me, "Dad you have to go to this place."  So we go there for three days riding scooters to all parts of the Island.  In the process snorkelled 4 of the best beaches in the Caribbean.

Tamarindo Beach

General Description:  Isla Culebra the "Snake Island" is an island-municipality of Puerto Rico. It is located approximately 17 miles east of the Puerto Rican mainland, 12 miles  west of St. Thomas and 9 miles north of Vieques. Culebra is spread over 5 wards and Culebra Pueblo the downtown area which is the administrative center of the city.  We stayed for 3 days a short walk from the ferry terminal at a small local hotel called Posada La Hamaca in Pueblo.   The owner of the hotel gave us a short ride to the scooter rental company and we were off and running.



The island is also known as Isla Chiquita the "Little Island" and Última Virgen the "Last Virgin", reflecting its position at the end of the Virgin islands archipelago. Residents of the island are known as Culebrenses.  The island is approximately 7 by 5 miles, with a population of only 1800 and a land area of only 11 square miles.  All of this creates a little known gem in the Caribbean called Culebra.

Carlos Rosario's Beach 

Degree of Difficulty:  All 4 beaches are rated easy all the snorkelling is a short swim from each beach.  Most of the time starting the snorkel just after entering the water.

Grid Coordinates:  18.302179, -65.301866  The Ferry Terminal in Culebra Pueblo.

Maps:  Culebra US Topo 5964528

Map of Culebra Beaches

Finding the Island and the Beaches:    From San Juan take the north coastal highway #3 to Fajardo. Once in Fajardo turn left on to PR 195.  Follow the signs to the Ferry Terminal.   This terminal in Fajardo also services the Island of Vieques so make sure your ferry is going to Culebra. Look at the Culebra Ferry Schedule  for details. Don't get on the wrong ferry. 

  

Flamenco Beach

When you get off the ferry in Culebra get a map of the Island available at the many business where the ferry docks.  This a great resource for getting around the Island.  Another easy way to get around the island are cabs, which are inexpensive and short drives.  

Beach Overview:   We snorkeled 4 different beaches.   We traveled by rented scooters which added some edge to the trip.

Flamenco Beach:  This beach is on many top beaches in the world lists.  The east side along the rock jetty is one of the top snorkelling locations in the Caribbean if not the world.   PR 251 goes to the western part of the Island.  Follow this road to the very end and park in the parking lot.  

Carlos Rosario Beach and Tamarindo Beach:  These 2 beaches are a short walk from the Flamenco Beach Parking Lot.  Take the trail at the southwest end of the parking lot.  You will walk over the peninsula.  Once on the other side of the peninsula the trail will split.  To the right go to Carlos Rosario Beach.  To the left walk to Tamarindo Beach.   The trail is well marked and about a 1/2 mile round trip.   Enter the water anywhere along both of these beaches for fantastic snorkeling experiences. 


Melones Beach:  This beach is a short walk from town.  Follow the signs from Culebra Pueblo. Follow the beach side road along the hill from town.   There is a small parking lot at the end of the road.  Enter the water anywhere along the beach is a great place to swim with the fishes.   

Snorkeling Instructions:  What can I say?  Find the beaches get in the water and swim.  In Culebra its that simple.