Mar Chiquita Beach

Location: Manatí

Getting there: From San Juan, drive 45 minutes west to Manatí. Park in the sand lot but be wary of areas with deep sand, people get stuck. You’ll be able to tell where it is deeper. 

Things to do: Relax in the natural pool – This is the largest natural pool in Puerto Rico. The shoreline is mostly rocky but there is a section on the left side that is usually sandy, you’ll likely see a bigger group of people around that area. Sometimes the far right is sandy as well. Snorkeling – When the water is calm, you can snorkel. There’s not a whole lot to see, but you will see some fish. I saw a baby squid once, and a large barracuda when I left the pool area through the channel on a calm day Surf – When there is medium large surf in the area, there may be surfable waves here. The wave doesn’t last long but I had fun surfing here. Climb the rocks – the rocky perimeter that makes this natural pool is climbable, but stick to the left side, the right side can get hit with big waves. Watch the waves – On days with very large surf, waves will crash on the rock and blast water over the other side. It’s really a spectacle to see 10 ft+ waves crash here.

Heads up: Be careful when entering the water in the rocky areas, there are sea urchins. Do not climb the rocks on the right side, unless the water is totally calm. I watched a kid take a tumble down the rock and get cut up when a large rouge wave washed him off. Wear shoes as the rock is very sharp. Do not snorkel out of the channel unless the water is totally calm and you are a confident swimmer.