Your Puerto Rico getaway wouldn`t be complete without venturing to the many attractions located on the island of Vieques.
This municipal island lying to the eastern side of Puerto Rico is among the prime Puerto Rico attractions for fans of nature and beaches, but also for history buffs.
I`m a local of Puerto Rico who has composed an complete ebook about Puerto Rico and has personally visited Vieques.
And, I can tell you, there’s a lot more to do than just relaxing on the beach.
To assist you enjoy the best of the island, here are the 26 things to do and activities you mustn`t miss during your visit to Vieques.
PS – if lodging is still required, be sure to bookmark my guide to where to stay in Vieques!
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26 Best Things to Do in Vieques Island
Mosquito Bioluminescent Bay
Kayak in the brightest bio bay in the world.
📍 Map of Location | 👉 Browse Top rated Bio Bay Excursions
Considered one of the primary places to visit in Vieques, Mosquito Bay is the most popular of the three bays exhibiting bioluminescence in Puerto Rico.
You are able to take an evening kayaking tour with any of the tour operators in Vieques, but booking your kayaking experience during an evening with a new moon will allow you to see the bay at its brightest lighting.
- Düsseldorf has many bike paths and lanes that make cycling very convenient. The terrain is relatively flat and it’s easy to rent bikes, such as from the Radstation near the train station.
👉 Pro Tip: Liquid enters the kayak during the tour. Bring a waterproof bag, a towel, and a change of attire for your kayak trip.
Punta Arenas Beach
Snorkel with sea turtles on this remote and hard-to-access beach on the northern coast.
📍 Google Maps | Entrance: Free | 👉 Explore Viators Top Snorkeling Experiences
Vieques is one of the best places in Puerto Rico to swim with sea turtles. Reaching Punta Arenas is difficult, and you’ll need a 4×4 vehicle to traverse the muddy and uneven road.
However, that is exactly why it makes for such a good snorkeling spot home to seagrass and marine life such as turtles and sharks.
Multiple companies provide snorkeling tours, but if you have experience and gear, you can easily go independently. Visit on weekdays to avoid the crowds from boat excursions.
Playa Negra
Access this hidden beach with black sand.
📍 Google Maps location pin | Entrance: Free of charge
If you’re looking for exclusive and astounding landscapes in Vieques, head over to Playa Negra.
The beach trail is somewhat lonely initially, but after approximately 15 minutes, the path opens to one of the best beaches in Vieques. Playa Negra is among the few black sand beaches in Puerto Rico and deserves a spot in your Puerto Rico itinerary.
On the off chance that you appreciate equine riding, you can`t pass up a great opportunity for an opportunity to visit Playa Negra, where the precipices, dim sand, and crashing waves make your equine riding knowledge even preferable.
Mosquito Pier
Stroll through a pier that was intended to connect Vieques to mainland Puerto Rico.
📍 For directions and more info about Mosquito Pier check Google Maps. Entrance is free of charge.
Mosquito Pier is one of the premier spots to take a relaxing stroll or practice yoga on Vieques Island. This lengthy pier stretches about a mile in length and was allegedly intended to connect Vieques to the main island in 1941 by the US Navy.
Sun Bay Beach
Spend time swimming at the only Vieques beach with amenities for guests.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 741-8198 | Hours: 8:30 am – 6 pm daily | Parking: $4
Sun Bay Beach is regarded as one of the most visited beaches in Vieques due to its convenient access and amenities.
Located on the coast in the south, Sun Bay Beach has showers, tables, and lifeguards present. The beach is also a prime Puerto Rico camping site. Note that most facilities are closed during low-season.
👉Local Tip: Visit Cayo de Tierra and Media Luna Beach from Sun Bay Beach.
Vieques National Wildlife Refuge
Traverse the remote shorelines and paths through a wildlife sanctuary that was formerly utilized for bombing practice.
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📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 741-2138 | Website | Hours: 7 am – 7:30 pm March-August, 7 am – 6:30 pm September- February | Entrance: Free
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Although it was once utilized as a bombing site for trainings by the US Navy, now the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge is among Puerto Rico’s most spectacular locations.
This refuge houses some of the finest beaches in Vieques, well-suited for swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, and sailing.
The Vieques National Wildlife Refuge also presents first-rate Puerto Rico walking trails to go hiking and birdwatching. But, keep in mind it’s one of the most complicated sites to drive in Puerto Rico without a 4×4.
Puerto Mosquito NNL
Take in the view from this spot in the wildlife refuge.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 741-2138 | Website | Hours: 7 am – 7:30 pm March-August, 7 am – 6:30 pm September- February | Entrance: Free
The Vieques National Wildlife Refuge highlights a breathtaking viewpoint called the Puerto Mosquito National Natural Landmark Observation Platform with the best views.
You can access this viewpoint by vehicle or a .7-mile off-road trail from the refuge’s main road. It allows seeing Mosquito Bay, Puerto Ferro Bay, and the south cays.
Mount Pirata
Hike to the highest summit in Vieques.
📍 View on Google Maps. Phone: (787) 722-5882. Website. Entrance is free.
Mount Pirata is the peak located at the highest elevation in Vieques, standing 960 feet tall. It’s found within the Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre El Buey on the western side of Vieques. The hike to reach the top is strenuous and steep, but the view from above is worth the effort.
El Fortin Mirasol
Gain awareness of Vieques’ history and struggle against the US Navy in this fortress and museum.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 741-1717 | Hours: 8 am – 4 pm Wed-Sun, 12 -1 pm lunch break, Closed Mon-Tues | Entrance: Free
The El Fortin del Conde Mirasol Museum houses an essential smaller collection portraying the history of Vieques.
This structure served as a fortification constructed by the Spanish Empire in 1845 and in the late 1980s, it became a small museum.
Although experiencing damage from Hurricane Maria in 2017, a visit allows learning about Vieques. The scenic vista from the fortifications should not be missed.
Punta Ferro Lighthouse Ruins
Hike to an abandoned lighthouse and enjoy the best vista of Vieques.
📍 Google Maps | Contact Number: (787) 741-2138 | Website | Operating Hours: 7 am – 7:30 pm March-August, 7 am – 6:30 pm September- February | Entrance: Free of Charge
For landscape aficionados, one of the best activities in Vieques involves hiking to the lighthouse ruins at Puerto Ferro abandoned after the 1925 earthquake.
The ruins’ surrounding scenery and cliff perspectives are worth every step of one of the best treks in Puerto Rico.
D’ Frozz
Satisfy your sweet tooth in this small and colorful ice cream shop.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 239-4081 | Hours: 7 am – 9 pm daily
After expending energy from hiking in the refuge or swimming at the beach all day, the best way to complete your tropical getaway is to enjoy Ice Cream at D’Frozz, where you’ll find novel ice cream flavors like cereal-inspired combinations.
El Malecon La Esperanza
See the sunset from this beachfront promenade in the southern part of Vieques.
📍 Online mapping resource | Entrance: Free of charge
Besides featuring one of the most popular beaches in Vieques and good restaurants, El Malecón is also a top spot for seeing the sunset. Here you can also find the abandoned Old Sugar Cane Pier, from where locals like to jump into the water.
Sea Glass Beach
Find beautiful sea glass on this beach in the northern part of Vieques.
📍 Google Maps location pin | Entrance: Free of charge
Craftspeople and collectors will enjoy visiting Sea Glass Beach in Vieques since the beach`s sand harbors many beautiful gems. Parking is limited, but you can park in the Isabel II town center and walk down to this unusual Puerto Rico shoreline.
Parque de la Ceiba de Vieques
Sit among the roots of a 300-year-old Ceiba tree.
📍 Digital map reference | Phone: (787) 467-4352 | Entrance: Free
While driving through the north coast, make a quick stop to admire the Ceiba tree in Parque de la Ceiba de Vieques.
This over 300-year-old Ceiba is famous for its enormous size. This location also provides a prime photo opportunity with the horses roaming freely across Vieques, though they can be found throughout the island.
Drive carefully and review my guide to driving in Puerto Rico to obtain more information.
Bunkers
Explore underground fortifications left behind by the former US Navy.
📍 Google Maps | Entrance: Free
Visitors unaware of Vieques’ background may be taken by surprise to learn about all the things the US Marine and Navy left behind.
Individuals can find the bunkers on the western side of Vieques along Bunkers Road. People can stop to view the street art on them, and if luck permits finding one open, don`t miss the opportunity to look inside.
Cayo de Tierra
Hike along the coast until reaching an offshore small island.
Surrounding Vieques Island, you will find multiple small islands great for snorkeling and scuba diving. Cayo de Tierra is a popular island connected to land by a small isthmus. You can hike to it if the sea and weather conditions allow.
Cliff-dive or visit the hidden caves on this beach.
Navio Beach is one of the most fun beaches in Vieques for its diverse offerings. Navio is mostly known for its hidden caves. However, thrill-seekers love to cliff dive from the rock formations on the beach. Navio Beach’s playful waves are excellent for bodysurfing too.
Culebra
Take a day trip to Culebra and bathe in its beautiful shorelines.
If you’re staying in Vieques for a few days and you want to visit Culebra too, you have the option to take a flight that will transport you directly to this small paradise for the day before returning you at the end.
Top attractions on Culebra island incorporate the famous Flamenco Beach, with white sand, turquoise waters, and a military tank located directly on the beach.
Check out my post comparing Vieques and Culebra for the key differences between the two Puerto Rican islands.
Isla Chiva
Scuba dive in the waters of Vieques rich with marine life.
📍 Google Maps | Entrance: Free
Vieques offers some of the top-tier scuba diving spots in Puerto Rico, and Isla Chiva is one of them.
Located outside Playa La Chiva, Isla Chiva has healthy and thriving reefs. Here it`s possible to easily notice schools of vibrant fish, sting rays, and even seahorses!
Other well-liked places to scuba dive around the island include Patti’s Reef, Angel’s Reef, and Mosquito Pier. Multiple organizations like Isla Nena Scuba provide diving excursions around Vieques.
Ticatove
Volunteer with a local environmental group in beach clean-ups in Vieques.
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Shop Backcountry Ski Equipment on REI
If you’re looking for opportunities to offer voluntary service in Puerto Rico, then know you can lend a hand at Ticatove in Vieques. This group focuses on the conservation of turtles, beaches, and other natural resources in Vieques.
Ticotove frequently coordinates beach cleanups open for participation. Review their social networks for upcoming events.
Crab Island Rum Distillery
Take a tour of one of Puerto Rico’s top distilleries, located conveniently in Vieques.
📍 Location map | Contact: (787) 934-8015 | Company site| Operating hours: 11 am – 8 pm Thursday to Saturday
Vieques boasts its own rum distillery called Crab Island Rum Distillery.
This distillery is the first artisanal distillery in Vieques that handcrafts rum with coffee and orange infusions. It also produces classic and 3-year-old rum.
After touring the distillery, you can sample and purchase the local spirits. Visit on Saturday nights to enjoy a drink with live performances.
La Esperanza Neighborhood
Enjoy the local cuisine in La Esperanza while taking in views of the beach.
In addition to wonderful beaches, Vieques Island also boasts delicious cuisine. In El Malecón in La Esperanza, you will find multiple restaurants serving a blend of American, International, and Puerto Rican fare.
Don’t limit exploring to only the restaurant and food trucks on Isabel II. Multiple dining establishments can also be found there, including the island’s sole two bakeries.
Playa Grande Sugar Cane Plantation Ruins
Discover the ruins of an old agricultural estate on Vieques’ southern coastline.
📍 Google Maps | Entrance: Free
Before the US Navy and Marines arrived, Vieques had a strong economy centered around sugar cane production.
Although no longer present, traces of the industry remain scattered across the island for history lovers to track down.
The archaeological site most visited is the ruins of the Playa Grande Plantation which were left empty in 1940 and are now covered by vegetation, creating a distinctive and enchanting location perfect for photos.
👉 Love Ruins? Check out the old dock in Puerto Real, the molasses storage containers in Green Beach, or the locomotive in Esperanza.
Isabel Segunda
Browse the stores in Vieque’s downtown area and bring unique souvenirs back home.
If you’re using the ferry to arrive at Vieques, you’ll be arriving at Isabel II, where you’ll find eateries, bakeries, art galleries, and shops. A visit to Vieques isn`t complete without dropping by the souvenir shops to buy keepsakes, snacks, and local art to take back home.
Ride a Bicycle
Cycle through PR 200 and PR 201 in Vieques.
One way to enjoy Vieques is using bicycles. Vieques is a small island with few roads.
You can explore the island’s coast by bicycle at most parts, except for some areas of the nature reserve where the roads are too rocky. You can rent your bicycle from different local companies like this one.
Remember that some roads in Vieques are steep and difficult to navigate by bicycle.
Go Fishing
Catch tarpons, snappers, and marlins offshore.
If you enjoy fishing, you’ll be happy to learn Vieques has great angling opportunities.
The best thing about fishing in Vieques is that it isn’t as occupied as other primary fishing ports like Fajardo.
The shallow waters and reefs are home to a variety of marine life including bonefish and tarpon. Farther out at sea, one can even find marlin.
👉 Want Additional Details? Check out all our free Vieques travel guides.
FAQ’s About Visiting Vieques
Is Vieques worth visiting?
Vieques is one of the top destinations to visit in Puerto Rico as it houses Mosquito Bay, the brightest bioluminescent bay globally, and it provides some of the clearest beaches on the island.
Is Vieques safe for tourists?
Vieques is safe for tourists. Vieques is a highly touristic city, which is why it’s one of the safest cities for visitors in Puerto Rico (which itself generally has quite low danger for travel). There is also a high population of foreign residents living on the island, and many people speak English.
Is Culebra or Vieques better?
What is Vieques Puerto Rico known for?
Vieques is renowned for boasting the brightest underwater habitat worldwide and for its former Wildlife Refuge that was once occupied by the US Marine Corps and applied for realistic military drills. Vieques is likewise renowned for its substantial population of wild equines.
👉 Read Also: Where to Lodge in Vieques
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Vieques will not fail to meet your expectations of a Caribbean getaway! You will find everything from stunning beaches to delicious cuisine in this paradise.
🍽️ Pizza offerings | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps location | 📞 (617) 567-9871
