Explore the waters and find many underwater surprises. There are beaches perfect for beginner levels and spots for the more adventurous and experienced. More about snorkeling and tours directory.
Snorkeling is one of the favorite pastimes here in the Spanish Virgin Islands of Vieques and Culebra. Spend days beach hopping and exploring the beauty of the colorful world underneath. Snorkel over reefs with beautiful fans, brain coral, and gorgonian coral forests. Swim along schools of angel fish, parrot fish, butterfly fish, eagle rays, the beautiful and endangered hawksbill turtles, and much more.
Following we have listed favorite snorkeling spots around the island. If you prefer, you can go to one of the shops in Vieques and rent the snorkeling gear and explore on your own. We recommend you book a tour with a friendly and knowledgeable snorkeling tour guide so they can take care of the details and you can focus on enjoying the experience, see directory below.
Please help us protect our reefs by never stepping on, taking away, touching or leaving trash at the beach. We invite you to enjoy them, but we beg that you help us preserve it. Before you step into the water, please put on your mask, and look underwater to make sure you don’t step into any of the coral or sea life.
Following is a video shared by a traveler, a little bit of everything during their visit and some fun snorkeling footage.
Favorite Snorkeling Spots
Vieques, Puerto ico
- Bahia de la Chiva (Blue Beach) – We’ll list it at the top of the list, here you can snorkel right off the beach along the length of the beach. The beach is shallow and it’s a great place for families to snorkel together. Even at some spots around the edge of the shore, small children can sit on the water and watch schools of fish swimming around. The best snorkeling spot is at the end of the road where you can get easy access to La Chiva, a small island with surrounding waters full of life and a long reef that extends across the beach. The waters are shallow, you can easily float and swim with the current depending on the wind conditions.
- We have seen people make the mistake of walking on the shallow waters in order to get into the water without paying attention to where they’re stepping. What appears to just be seagrass, may actually be young coral growing underneath and around, which is easy destroyed when stepped on. You also risk stepping on sea urchins, please swim out, it’s an easy 7-10 minute swim to the reef and you’ll be protecting this delicate natural treasure.
- Cayo Blanco – Various sailing/snorkeling tours will take you there.
- Cayo de Afuera: See dramatic antler coral. Enjoy the sights of nurse sharks and occasionally you may encounter a manatee cruising by. Rent a kayak or schedule a snorkeling tour.
- Escondida Beach – Enjoy the best snorkeling on the left side of the beach along the rocks bordering with Blue Beach next door. This beach is very small and intimate, but the variety of fish is very surprising. We’ve spotted manta rays as we swim and enjoy the beach.
- Esperanza Beach: One of the most popular spots for snorkeling and most easily accessible. Great snorkeling under the concrete pier and the area right in front of Trade Winds Guesthouse. You may spot manta rays, sea turtles and some cool varieties of fish.
- Gorgonian Forests: Schedule a tour and see the beautiful sea fan forests.
- Gringo Beach: This beach is located on the north side of the island next to the W Retreat & Spa. When the winds are calm you can enjoy snorkeling along the rocks on the side of the resort.
- Media Luna: A shallow beach/ protected cove excellent to take children snorkeling.
- Mosquito Pier: Mosquito Pier is a popular spot for scuba divers and great for snorkeling, it is located on the north shore of the island. The clarity and variety of sea life are excellent. You’ll want to snorkel along the left side of the pier where the waters are protected from the surf. You’ll swim along with sea turtles (lots of them), stingrays and a variety of colorful sea life. We recommend you book a tour guide for safety and to make the best of your time there.
- Playa Pata Prieta – A great beach for families with children. A small protected cove, not too deep, clear calm water. Best snorkeling spots are at each end along the rocks. See if you can spot an Eagle Spotted ray who loves to hang out at this beach.
- Punta Arenas / Green Beach: Green Beach is excellent, you can begin to snorkel right off the beach. The variety of fish at Green Beach is amazing and magical. Please be careful not to step on the reefs, many of them start right off the shoreline and they’re very sensitive, getting on the water and off will take some extra care.
Snorkeling Tours
Vieques, Puerto ico
Book a snorkeling tour online.
- Abe’s Snorkeling & Bio Bay Tours – 787-741-2134 or 787-436-2686
- At Sea Vieques – 787-435-0256
- Black Beard Sports – 787-741-1892
- Caribbean Lady – 787-930-5610
- Fin Time Adventures – 787-981-4109
- Fun Brothers – 787-435-9372 / 787-741-0151
- Isla Nena Scuba – 787-718-7605 / 7607
- Isla Outfitters – 970-270-0628
- Jak Water Sports – 787-644-7112
- Little Boat Sailing – 787-366-5202
- Melaya’s Tours – 787-222-7055
- Travesias Islenas Yaureibo – 787-447-4104 / 939-630-1267 – Nestor Guishard
- Vieques Adventure Company – 787-741-4101
- Vieques Paddleboarding – 787-366-5202
Snorkel Gear
Vieques, Puerto ico
Bring your own snorkeling gear
- Black Beard Sports (787) 300-0155