Capitán Jose Cruz here, and I will admit it up front: I am a boat guy, so this is my favorite kind of chisme. If Puerto Rico’s main island already impressed you, Vieques and Culebra take it up a level. They are two small islands off the east coast that keep showing up on lists of the best beaches in the world. Here is what makes each one worth the trip.
Vieques: Isla Nena
Vieques sits about 15 nautical miles from Fajardo and is best known for Mosquito Bay, widely considered the brightest bioluminescent bay on Earth. The water glows blue when you move it, thanks to tiny organisms called dinoflagellates. If you are choosing between bays, see my comparison of the three bio bays. Beyond the bio bay, Vieques has a large wildlife refuge, a black sand beach, and a slower pace than the main island. Bien tranquilo.
Culebra: Flamenco Beach and Beyond
Culebra is about 19 miles off the coast and its star is Flamenco Beach, ranked among the best beaches in the world year after year: white sand, turquoise water and, unlike most famous beaches, plenty of room outside of the big holidays. Camping is allowed in designated areas of Flamenco if you want to make a night of it.
Getting There
Both islands are reached by ferry from Ceiba or by a short flight from the main island. Neither trip is long, and both islands work as a day trip, an overnight, or longer if you can spare it. One tip: plan how you are getting to and from the Ceiba ferry terminal before you go. Rideshare out there is thin, and I explain why in taxi vs. Uber in Puerto Rico.
How to get to the Ceiba ferry
The ferry to Vieques and Culebra leaves from the terminal in Ceiba, about 75 to 90 minutes by car from San Juan or the airport. The fare is around $2 each way to Vieques and $2.50 to Culebra, plus a small visitor fee. The crossing takes about 40 to 45 minutes to Vieques and close to an hour to Culebra. Buy your tickets ahead of time at puertoricoferry.com, because same day tickets are not always available, and plan to be there an hour early.
You have four ways to reach the terminal:
- On your own, by car. Take Route 26 east, then Route 66 east, then Route 3 east. The terminal has a parking lot at about $15 per 24 hours, with a van that shuttles you to the dock.
- Taxi. The fixed rate from SJU airport to Ceiba is $82 per taxi, not per person, plus tolls and luggage charges. Arrange your ride back before you leave. Do not assume a taxi will be waiting when your ferry returns.
- Uber. A driver will usually take you there. Getting one to pick you up in Ceiba is the hard part, above all at night, so do not make it your only plan for the return.
- With us. We offer private transportation to the Ceiba ferry terminal. We take you as far as the terminal and from there you continue on the ferry on your own. Tell us your ferry time and we will gladly set it up, con mucho gusto. WhatsApp us, call 787-949-3542, or see private driver prices.
All the taxi and Uber numbers are in my guide to taxi vs. Uber in Puerto Rico.
Seeing the Water Between the Islands
A lot of what makes this coast special is the water itself: the snorkeling, the reefs, and the little cays you cannot reach by car. A private or shared boat charter is the most common way to live it instead of just looking at it from shore.
Compare Real Boat Charters to Culebra and Icacos
We compare real, bookable charter operators running from Fajardo toward Culebra, Culebrita and Cayo Icacos: actual prices, durations, capacity and verified reviews.
See Culebra and Icacos charters compared
Planning a trip of several days that includes Vieques or Culebra? Write me and I will help you put it together.
Written by a real person
Capitán Jose Cruz
Boat captain in Puerto Rico and the person behind ThingsToDoPR. I write these guides myself, as a local and a ciudadano who uses the same roads, beaches and guaguas you will. Yes, I also run boat trips and transportation, but informing you comes first. If the honest answer is to take the bus, that is what you will read here. ¡Nos vemos en el agua!
