La Chiva Beach “Blue Beach” – Vieques, Puerto Rico
One of the best beaches in Vieques…consistently ranked among the best in the Caribbean
If you love taking long walks on the beach, if you fantasize about snorkeling over crystal clear water, if you want breathtaking scenery, you can’t miss visiting the amazing beach of La Chiva. During the Navy’s presence on the island, this beach was nicknamed “Blue Beach”, the name is no longer used and locals prefer that the formal name of La Chiva is used. The waters of La Chiva Beach are pure perfection. Starting at the west end of the La Chiva, the tones are a deeper turquoise with tones of navy blue on the horizon. The first few stops at La Chiva are a great spot for those that want the most solitude since most beachgoers head to the other end to snorkel.
As you begin to walk to the east end of the beach, the tones get lighter, by the time you get to parking spot 15 the waters are crystal clear almost like glass on a clear day with no clouds.
West End – Playa La Chiva, Vieques, Puerto Rico
Afternoon shower just passing by… Still beautiful
La Chiva is like a canvas of blue colors, a photographers dream. The water is very clear with grass beds scattered here and there where schools of colorful fish love to play. The waves are gentle and small even over the winter months (during normal weather conditions), perfect for small children. Over the summer months, the water becomes clearer and calmer making snorkeling even more enjoyable.
Bring plenty of sunscreen lotion to reload every few hours, you may want to spend an entire day exploring the underwater world. The best spots for snorkeling are along the rocky areas and near the small cay at the end of the road (pictured below).
Drive to the end of the road, you’ll be able to admire the natural beauty of the island with its abundant lush green flora and undisturbed coastline.
From the end of the road, you can access a beautiful small cay, the waters between the cay and the main island are very shallow, a popular entry for snorkelers. We recommend you book a snorkeling tour, they’ll take you to the best spots.
Facilities at La Chiva
- The Vieques National Wildlife Refuge has built gazebos perfectly positioned embraced by lush greens and million dollar views.
- Trash Bins
- Restrooms are available at the entrance of the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge.
La Chiva Beach has been declared safe for use and many visitors have enjoyed it safely, just stay off La Chiva Island. It is prohibited to enter this area due to the risk of unexploded ordnance. Don’t let this scare you, you’ll enjoy this beach and have a wonderful time, just use common safety precautions and stay away from closed areas. Click on the picture on right to enlarge and see the location of La Chiva Island.