Puerto Hermina Beach

Location: Quebradillas

Getting there: From San Juan, drive 1 hour 15 minutes west to Quebradillas. You’ll drive down a steep hill with a couple switchbacks which gives you a great view of the Atlantic Ocean. Drive along the beach and park on the right, to be closest to the beach, park at the end of the road. Follow the cement path to the sand.

Things to do: There’s a lot to do at this beach! Relax in the shallows – The water can be totally calm or rough enough to discourage bathers, depending on conditions. Rock climbing – There are five moderate sport climbs on a crag near the parking lot. They’re more pumpy than they look, but a lot of fun. You’ll walk right past it to get to the beach. Spearfishing – This is a popular spearfishing spot. There are a lot of good-size fish hiding in the cracks between rocks. Snorkeling – There is no reef that I could find but you will see a good variety of fish. I saw a large school of massive tarpon, squid, and a couple of fish I had not seen snorkeling anywhere else like the Glassy Sweeper and another I could not identify. I had to swim deep to see the most marine life. Hike – Follow the sand back into the forest. Stay on the main trail until you see the fork in the road near the house, turn right. That trail will take you to a bridge with an awesome view of the surrounding cliffs and canopy below. It’s visible in the photo above spanning the canyon. If you are looking to chill, set up under one of the pavilions for lunch and relax in the shade.

Heads up: During low tide, the water is mostly rocky and the beach is largely not worth visiting if you’re going to get in the water. The waves can be rough here depending on the surf. When you get in the water, you’ll see it’s a little rocky to your right. If there are waves, be careful you don’t get pulled into the rocky area.