Punta Arenas Beach
Location: Vieques Island, National Wildlife Refuge El Buey
Getting there: Take the ferry from Ceiba to Vieques Island. When you arrive on Vieques, you’ll need to rent a UTV or golf cart for $60.00 – $160.00 and drive 30 minutes to get there. The drive there is on rough roads once you pass Mosquito Pier. When you enter the Wildlife Refuge, the road is unpaved and they’ve built up speed bumps. Because the speed bumps look exactly like the rest of the road, they are nearly invisible. Follow the signs, when the road ends, you’ve arrived. There are two spots to park, at the roads end, and at a turnout before you get to the end. That turnout is the better spot as it is closest to the beach. The beach is pictured above to the right, where the boats are anchored.
Things to do: Walk the beach – This beach is short but undeniably beautiful. Palm trees hang over the shore and the water gently laps over the course sand. You can walk around the whole point to see a sand drift stretch out towards the main island. Snorkel – I’ve heard this a great snorkeling spot with some shallow reefs well worth exploring. There are many conch shells scattered in the shallows. Relax in the shallows – While floating in the shallow water, you’ll have a beautiful view of the main island of Puerto Rico.
Heads up: This beach is far away from nearly every other attraction on Vieques Island, so it may not fit in your itinerary. Though, if you have the time, the trip is well worth it.
For more information, see Vieques Itinerary and Keys & Islands.
- Picturesque and remote.
- Calm water perfect for relaxing in the shallows.
- Shaded areas.
- Long and rough drive to get there.
- Although few drive out to this beach, there will likely be multiple boats anchored on the beach.
- To get there, parking at the ferry terminal costs $15.00 a day, the ferry costs $4.00, and the UTV costs around $90.00 for the day.