Vieques Island (Isla de Vieques)
Vieques Island, Puerto Rico
If you’re looking for a unique Caribbean experience without the big hotels, head to this tiny island off the shore of Puerto Rico. Here you'll find masses of dense, emeraldine jungle, glorious beaches, and a beautiful bioluminescent bay filled with microorganisms that emit a brilliant glow when they're disturbed.
The biggest draw of Vieques Island (Isla de Vieques) is Mosquito Bay, one of three bioluminescent lagoons in Puerto Rico. Guided kayaking tours take visitors out to the bay, and some tours use semi-transparent kayaks so that you’ll be able to see the waters right below you as you paddle. Boat tours are a great alternative for non-kayakers. Popular beaches include Sun Bay Beach, which has calm waters and public showers, and La Chiva Beach, with crystal-clear waters that make it perfect for snorkeling.
Vieques is a must-visit for travelers looking to slow down and relax.
If you’re doing an evening boat tour to Mosquito Bay, you’ll need to arrange overnight accommodations on the island.
The public transportation options on the island are somewhat limited, so you'll want to rent a car, scooter, or bicycle to get around, particularly if you want to visit more remote beaches.
Vieques Island is located about 7 miles (11.2 kilometers) off the coast of eastern Puerto Rico. You can either fly to the island from San Juan or Aguadilla Airport, or take a ferry straight to the island from Fajardo, about a 90-minute drive from San Juan.
The best time to visit Vieques is during the dry season, which starts in December and runs through May. Just note that this time of year can be crowded, particularly during the Christmas and spring break holiday seasons. The bioluminescent bay on the island is at its best on dark nights (on or around the new moon), when it’s at its most glimmery.
If you want to see a bioluminescent bay on the Puerto Rican mainland instead, you can head to Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve. This reserve east of San Juan has its own bioluminescent bay, Laguna Grande, and tours are available through the Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico.
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