Swimming, snorkeling, bird watching and ruins underneath…
If you are seeking to visit a place that has a “remote” feel, the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico is for you. None of the beaches in Vieques feel crowded, but Punta Arenas feels the most remote. Punta Arenas, previously known by “Green Beach” is on the northwest tip and runs down the east side of Vieques. This beach is part of the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge and offers very scenic views of the main island of Puerto Rico and El Yunque. Once we get to the beach, you’ll find a spot to yourselves, the snorkeling it’s really great.
Note: We highly recommend to get there in the morning and avoid the afternoon to avoid sand flies that come around in the afternoon.
Punta Arenas is child-friendly, there are many shallow spots safe for kids to swim and snorkel. If you are not an experienced snorkeler this is a good beach, the water is pretty calm on the Caribbean side of Punta Arenas.
Driving to Punta Arenas is half the fun. The flora along the dirt road is lush, it feels like driving through a tropical forest. You will pass Laguna Kiani with healthy mangroves systems, no traffic jams or car noises, just a melody of birds singing.
One of the paths will take you right by an old track that now rests on the sand touching the ocean. Sea levels have risen over the past century, the sea has claimed what used to be a route to transport sugar cane. If you want a little fun adventure, go on a treasure hunt for the tracks under water. The tracks are now playgrounds to friendly creatures under the sea.
The sandy point at the end of the beach (northwest most point of Vieques) is popular for boaters from the main island of Puerto Rico and a very scenic spot on a clear day. From the map below you can see where the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean meet (on satellite) and if you walk around the tip you can almost sense the two colliding.
Getting to Punta Arenas Beach, Vieques
We advise you to head to Punta Arenas Beach early in the morning, on the drive back, stop by the points of interest mentioned below.
- Take Route 111.
- On the way there, be sure to make a shortstop by the Old Ceiba Tree and Mosquito Pier with spectacular scenic views.
- After a quick stop to the Ceiba tree, turn around and head west again.
- On the way, you’ll pass the former Navy Magazines.
- Pass through the Yellow NWRS gate towards Laguna Kiani. On your way, you will pass through a kiosk with information of the area and its natural treasures. You will pass metal bridges and pass a few dirt paths along the way, keep going straight until you get to the northwest side.