A small beach cove inside the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge on the south side of the island. There’s no pavement to this beach, 4 wheel drive is recommended and the road may be in worse shape when it rains, but it is surely worth the drive. Pata Prieta offers good snorkeling, especially in the summer months. We often spot manta rays and the sea fan gardens are very pretty. The water is very pretty with varying jeweled tones from turquoise to deep blues, that change with the sun. In the winter months or during times of rain you’ll find very gentle waves. Most of the time, the waters are calm perfect for a relaxing swim for both adults and children.
The scenery feels cozy, the beach is small with thick green bushes framing the entire beach with small rocks at each end. There are few spots with shade so get here early to claim them.
A little Spanish lesson…In case you’re wondering, Pata Prieta literally translates to “Black Leg”.
- Pata is used when speaking about animals.
- The formal word for black is “Negro/ Negra”
Bring your snorkel gear, loose sense of time and get lost in the magic of Vieques.