Flamenco Beach Culebra - Puerto Rico

If you want to get exotic, check out Isla Culebra. This is a small island which is really closer to St. Thomas than to Puerto Rico, but Puerto Rico calls it its own. Now there's a ferry which is really inexpensive - $2.25 one-way, and sails three times a day from Fajardo. So why check out this out of the way island? Flamenco Beach!

Flamenco Beach is a Blue Flag Beach. Divers rent the B and B's and small apartments here on Culebra, but otherwise this island would probably sink into obscurity if it weren't for Flamenco Beach. Take my advice and select one of the B and B's. You'll have an experience you will cherish for a lifetime. Who knew this island was here and a part of a U.S. Territory?

Truly the best location for the beach, on Culebra's wild western shore, it's only five minutes from the ferry dock. And bus fare is $2.00 from where you put in, at Dewey, the main settlement of Culebra. And when I look at this photo, I am taken back. Just think what you and your family could do here. Some could stay up on the sand and walk along the tree line. Others could get their snorkel gear and spend the whole day looking down at the pristine reef. Still others could simply swim and soak up the Caribbean sunshine. It's incredible! And still not many come here!

Flamenco Beach is horseshoe shaped, half-mile-wide, is bordered by the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge, one of America's oldest preserves from 1909. What makes the beach special is the surf break over the reef which is about a quarter-mile offshore on the west side. If you're curious, there's an old World War II tank, half-buried and rusting as a reminder that Culebra was once a firing range for the military.

But the balneario at Flamenco on the west shore is first class. Fine, white-sand greets you and goes gently around to a pleasant picnic area. Here you'll find some vendors and the beginning of the campground area. We found the bottom here relatively rock free. And when you try snorkeling out towards the rock outcroppings, there are some nice brain coral with plenty of parrot fish, blue tang, and wrasse to see.

Your calmest water will be on the east side. It does get a little rough in the middle of the beach because this is the area that is more exposed to the open sea. You're not going to find a bad spot on the beach. Trust us. Puerto Rico sits with the Caribbean Sea on the south coast and the mighty Atlantic on the north coast. Culebra basks in the Caribbean and the waters are warm.

Flamenco Beach Culebra - Beach Index:

• Sand - fine grain and white/tan
• Facilities - a Blue Flag beach, full facilities
• Shade - available, trees, beach huts
• Sports - fishing, swimming, snorkeling, diving
• Notes - recommended
  

Another wonderful island, steeped in controversy is up next. Vieques has some of the best beaches of Puerto Rico! >>

Pinones Beach - San Juan, Puerto Rico

Breaking away from the San Juan city limits the most scenic drive is up coastal Highway 187. Along Highway 187 is Pinones, where beach goers beat a path to because of the wonderful strip of sand. There are still traces of hurricane Hugo which hit in 1989. But the best thing we liked about Pinones is the paved bike path that runs some six miles through mangroves, rock formations, and hugs the coast.

You'll see the signs off the Highway, and note a mile-long gravel parking lot. This is your cue for the most popular part of the beach. It is here that an offshore rock ledge forms an almost mile-long natural pool where families come to enjoy the sandy bottom and super calm water. And it's never more than four feet deep!

If you get to Pinones Beach early, you'll be able to stake out one of the few coconut palms. If you don't, make sure you bring some sort of shade.

When here, you'll be able to count the many aircraft taking off out of San Juan International Airport. The beach and coast lie right in the flight path. And that's the reason why one of the more popular surf breaks here is appropriately called "Aviones."

Further east, we noted miles upon miles of sand dunes with coconut palms dotting them. It would seem you could hike along them for a day, but you'd probably be trespassing at some point. Make sure you take a canteen and a camera if you go.

Because of the rock ledge, swimming isn't the best. But we found a nice swim area called Vacia Telega at the far eastern point of Pinones Beach, about where those dunes start. Don't worry though. You can tan forever, or fish, as many do. Walk eastward to the point - you'll enjoy the view.

One last tip - bring some drink and food as there isn't always the occasional beach vendor here. But down at the west end of the strip, we did find El Pulpo Loco, with seafood and guess what?! Mountain bikes to rent! Make sure you ride the trail.

Pinones Beach - Beach Index:

• Sand - medium to fine grain, with trade winds some sand whips up
• Facilities - few and far between
• Shade - a few coconut palms
• Sports - fishing, surfing, swimming
• Notes - some cases of car thieves in the area. Make sure you're not the only one at the beach.
  

Up the coast, a Puerto Rico Blue Flag Beach - camping and more - at Luquillo Beach - Next! >>