Culebra Island Puerto Rico

Culebra Island

Seven miles long and three miles wide, Culebra Island is a small but scenic island that is quickly becoming a top destination for Caribbean tourists. For those who want isolation and a break from the world at large, a Culebra vacation might be perfect.

For the most part, there is little to do on Culebra Island except take in the sunsets, snorkel in the sea and walk along the scenic beaches The majority of the island is a wildlife refuge despite the complete lack of fresh water. Not that this is necessarily a bad thing - the aridity of Culebra Puerto Rico has one huge benefit: the lack of run-off from rivers and streams means that the waters surrounding the island have better than normal visibility. This is why one of the main reasons to take a ferry to Culebra is for the great diving and snorkeling.

Flamenco Beach, Culebra Island.

From Fajardo, a ten-minute flight takes guests to picturesque Culebra Island. Like Vieques, its larger sister island to the south, Culebra is blessed with sparkling beaches. From the dock at Ensenada Honda, take a water taxi to one of two islets in the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge: either Culebrita or Luis Peña. If Culebrita, hike up the hill to the historic lighthouse and across the island to the fantastic crescent beach on the north shore. Even though Luis Peña doesn't have a lighthouse, it is equally delightful. After snorkeling, swimming and a picnic, return to port. Spend the rest of the day swimming and sunning at renowned Flamenco Beach until your flight back to the main island and Yuquiyu.

Flamenco Beach on a stormy morning, island-municipality of Culebra


Unknown Island Near Culebra

With eight beaches around the island, quality of surf varies, but the calm, clear and warm water of Flamenco Beach can't be beat. As a matter of fact, Flamenco Beach has been named year after year one of the best beaches of the world. This horseshoe-shaped, palm-tree-lined beach is situated between mountain ridges, and is excellent site for entry-level snorkeling and diving, Playa Flamenco offers toilet facilities, and Coconuts Beach Grill for lunch.

Today Culebra is appealing for what it lacks. There are no luxury resorts, elegant restaurants, discos, movie theaters, casinos, museums or boutiques. There's also no crime, hardly any traffic and few crowds (except during Semana Santa — Holy Week — which precedes Easter).

What Culebra does offer is an unsullied and under-populated beach along with pristine waters filled with beautiful fish. There is also plenty of wildlife. The disconnected tracts of the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge, which total more than one-third of the islands' area, are populated with terns, gulls, pelicans, boobies and several species of endangered turtle.