Vieques and Culebra - Puerto Rico

Located off the eastern shore of Puerto Rico are the islands of Vieques and Culebra also known as the Spanish Virgin Islands. These islands maintain a unique laid back atmosphere where local traditions are still the center of islanders life with tourists of secondary interest. The islands have just hit the tourist information and circuit and thus provide a more relaxed, undeveloped atmosphere than most of their Caribbean counterparts.

Vieques Island

Once used as the training ground for the US Militray (which still maintains a base on a large portion of the island), Vieques did not enjoy a tourism boom until just recently. Locals term the island "Isla Nena", or "Little Girl Island" - the daughter of Puerto Rico and the ocean surrounds. The name is significant as you approach by ferry or boat as the outline of the island gives away it small size, just 20 miles by 5 miles in area. There are two small towns on the island, Isla Segunda where the ferry docks, and Esperanza, a more relaxed town with beachfront restaurants and guesthouses overlooking the ocean. The traditional lifestyle of the islanders is apparent in the ratio of horses to cars (most people ride around the island) and the small pontoons heading out to catch their daily fish.

Vieques is famous for its deserted beaches, something you don't often find in the Caribbean anymore and crystal clear waters. Non-motorized water sports are the most popular activity on the shore with kayaking and snorkeling being the most popular. One of the most popular kayak tours is Bio Bay, a bay near Esperanza with one of the highest concentrations of Bioluminescent animals in the world. As your paddle hits the water or sea creatures swim by below the surface, the water lights up in green streaks and sparkles. On land, horseback riding and jeep tours are popular.

Culebra Island

Culebra is geagraphically quite different from Puerto Rico and Vieques. With its deep bays, rugged, twisting shoreline and lush cliffs. Dewey is the main town on island (if you could call it a town) where the ferry from Fajardo lands. As on Vieques, watersports such as kayaking and snorkeling are the main acitivites, although Culebra adds the attraction of a National Wildlife Refuge and several satellite islets within kayaking distance from shore.

Ferries run from Fajardo and between the islands and recently a high speed ferry service began running out of San Juan. You can also fly from San Juan and Fajardo to Vieques.