Jobos Beach, Isabela - Puerto Rico

You can't leave Isabela, Puerto Rico without dropping by Jobos Beach. This whole area, just west of the former Ramey Air Force Base, now Raphael Hernandez Airport, is breathtaking. You can hop on Jet Blue, as of this writing, from JFK and be here in a few hours. Most tourism to Puerto Rico happens around San Juan. This coast is often overlooked.

The northwestern Puerto Rican shore has wild sand dunes and a handful of recommended beaches we have to tell you about, as they are better known to surfers. But we were asked about what locals consider the better sites to surf and Jobos Beach in Isabela was always mentioned. So with a little research we found that even though it takes some work to get to - the reward is great. You'll be presented with a family beach that encompasses something for everyone. Seems people have grown up coming here and have great memories of it.

We just reviewed Shacks Beach for you, some five miles from Isabela. But two miles east you'll see Jobos Beach. It's a nice walk from one to the other. Jobos curves beneath an unusual geological formation known as a fossilized sand dune. It's incredible to see. The cove her seems serene, but be aware of the rip currents. Even in the calm area, tidal currents move deep.

This natural beauty, Jobos Beach, Puerto Rico, is a haven for surfers. You'll catch the local gang in the southwestern corner by the coral heads. But Jobos also offers a strip of sand great for families with children. Bunches of restaurants line the beach. There's fishing here, snorkeling, scuba diving, along with kiteboarding and windsurfing. This area is great for exploring, too. See some unusual surf and shore formations.

There are a few hotels close by, but most are high priced between November and April. You'll get more reasonable accommodations inland at Isabela.

Jobos Beach - Beach Index:

• Sand - nice white/tan combination
• Facilities - full
• Shade - great palms and umbrellas
• Sports - snorkel, diving, kiteboarding, boogie boarding, windsurf, surfing
• Notes - amazing terrain makes for a spectacular beach
  

The surf keeps getting bigger. We make our way to Montones Beach! Next! >>

Shacks Beach, Isabela - Puerto Rico

Probably the most popular spot for kiteboarders and windsurfers is Shacks Beach, Puerto Rico. Now I know what you're thinking - there are things such as "beach shacks", but this beauty is called Shacks. It's located in the little town of Isabela on the northwest point of Puerto Rico. Come here to enjoy water sports.

Most days you can see as many as a dozen intermediate kiteboarders on the water. Shacks Beach is big and you'll not be in the way. If you are a boarder, know that the wind blows in the same direction as rip currents: offshore, so make sure you know how to tack back in. As anywhere, beaches with surf are dangerous and the very best thing you can do is converse with a local surfer who has a little experience under his belt.

For snorkelers, this is pretty nice as well. There's about 50 yards of nice water between the reef and shore. But watch out for the kiters. As with most ocean with coral, the bottom here has its share of sea urchins! Make sure you wear booties.

If you're not into kiteboarding, downwind you'll find a nice area of sand to enjoy. You can do some snorkeling here as well as diving, although we found the water slightly clearer up wind.

There is some good lodging here as well. Check out the room rentals along the beach. We found a few with oceanfront restaurants. Stay further in town if your budget is tight.

Shacks Beach - Beach Index:

• Sand - medium grain, soft, mixed with some rock in places
• Facilities - full
• Shade - nice shade from trees along beach
• Sports - known for kiteboard, but windsurfers abound, snorkeling
• Notes - you will enjoy the view if you venture out here, not recommended for swimming
  

Just up the coast is Jobos Beach, another surfing hot spot in Puerto Rico - and the beach is rad! Next! >>

Aguadilla Beaches - Puerto Rico

There are a handful of nice surfing beaches in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, as the coastline continues here on the northwest point of the island. They are all worth noting; some more popular and picturesque than others. The most well-known beach is Crash Boat Beach. This is probably the most photographed beach in Aguadilla as well.

The swim area is great and this place is one of our favorites for exploring. There are a few limestone caves right off the beach! Now, unless you're talking surfing. Aguadilla has a reputation with surfing, holding two ISA championships in 1968 and again in 1988. The surfing beaches are:

Crash Boat Beach
Crash Point Beach
Gas Chambers Beach
Surfer's Beach
Wilderness Beach and
Wishing Well Beach

Just a couple miles from Highway 2, Crash Boat Beach sits in all its glory. There are numerous food vendors packing the parking lot with those yummy kabobs that they grill at site. We found everything from popcorn to smoothies here and a small restaurant that serves local fish - since they're next to the fishing cooperative.

But next to the picturesque boats on the sand is an strange and ugly concrete pier. It was a bad design idea because the concrete causes the pier boat slips to fill with sand, making them unusable. Nonetheless, people still flock here, mainly because the sand is great and the beach overall beautiful as the terrain slopes gently down to the shore.

Crash Boat Beach is actually two beaches in one. The south side of the beach offers a wide area of sheltered swimming. Then the north side is a tad rougher, with great places to snorkel just around the north end rocks. Watch out for the kayakers here.

As with most beaches, tourists make the best of it during the week and the locals come during the weekends. Make sure you plan accordingly, as Crash Boat Beach can get crowded.

Crash Boat Beach - Beach Index:

• Sand - lightly packed, clean
• Facilities - full
• Shade - cliff offer shade, trees
• Sports - diving, snorkeling, kayak, swimming, surfing, kiteboarding
• Notes - can get a little crowded on weekends
  

Surf's Up at Shacks Beach - some say the Best Surf Beach in Isabela!

Rincon - Northwest Coast - Puerto Rico

There are no beaches along Mayaguez worth traveling to. But up the coast, on Puerto Rico's most western point, is Punta Higuero and the best surfing in Puerto Rico at Rincón. This is no new find - well, for us... but longboarders put Rincon on the map back in the 60's. And surfer dudes still live here. Rincón is perfect.

The area juts out into the sea at a place where both the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea come together. This force along with some awesome breaks in the area make for some great surfing in Puerto Rico.

Little Malibu break, just off from the Domes balneario, named after the decommissioned nuclear "dome" structures close by, is well known. From Little Malibu all the way up to River Mouth, the surf can be rewarding.

The beach here is soft sand and near River Mouth, because of the tidal pool formed near the ocean, you can find some nice "sea glass". But like most surfing spots in the world, the beach along the Rincon area is broken by ironshore ledges. That doesn't spoil the beach at all and you'll find plenty of areas to have fun.

If you're not on a surf board, beware: currents here are treacherous. So far in 2007, two people have died off the coast here fighting rip currents. So make sure you are an experienced swimmer.

If seas are calm when you make it here, they tell us there is some good snorkeling up around the Tres Palmas Marine Preserve (Caribbean side), beginning at Little Malibu down to Steps (breaker).

For surfers, when the swells are big enough, waves as high as 25 feet are possible. Watch the weather and surf reports.

Rincón - Beach Index:

• Sand - loam, sandy clay mix in some places, ironshore
• Facilities - few, make sure you bring the basics
• Shade - good through mid afternoon from trees
• Sports - surfing, boogie boarding, snorkeling
• Notes - buddy up if swimming, surfing, snorkeling
  

Continuing the surf tradition on this northwest coast, we venture to Aguadilla - some awesome beaches and more awesome surf! Next! >>

Isla Vieques - Puerto Rico

There is a lot of controversy surrounding Isla Vieques, as the US Military used the island for target practice for over 50 years. Finally, tiring of it in 1976, the larger Vieques became the target to bomb. Finally, in 2003, the Navy left here and the 18,000 acre Naval Base became the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge. Even today there are some unexploded bombs in the Refuge.

But the beaches here are awesome, and there aren't any unexploded bombs about. So you're safe. We found the southern coast calmer than the northern shore. Sort of like Aruba, if you've ever been there. You know how the hotel side of the island is calm. Here it's the same, only we have the mile and a half Bahia de la Chiva or "Blue Beach".

Now you wonder why they name some of the beaches around the world. And most of the time we know exactly why. Well, here at Bahia de la Chiva, you'll know exactly why. One look at the water as it is caressed in the white sandy bay will put an unforgettable image in your mind of the blue, blue water.

And it's even more spectacular underwater. Blue Beach, Isla Vieques has top rated snorkeling right off the eastern tip. Hang around the rock outcroppings and just sit, or float. You'll be amazed. Then work your way around the rock and enjoy the undersea abundant life.

Just east of Esperanza, we were told to look for Sun Bay, or as the locals call it, "Sombe". It's a beautiful balneario created in a semi-circle bay that will imprison you all day. The curve give you protected swimming here. Because of the angle, at least through the day - no open ocean waves to crash your beach party. And the sand is a delight to walk on. Sturdy enough to feel great on that afternoon walk, but not hard enough to make walking difficult. Close by we found an eatery - the Arenamar Cafe - inexpensive and the empanadillas are out of this world.

On Isla Vieques, you'll hear of Bioluminescence. What is it? It's where tiny creatures in the water react to being disturbed and they actually give off light. Find a kayak guide, which is real easy here, and kayak through the bay at dusk for a show you will never forget. These creature light up the water where you put your paddle. It's truly amazing and recommended.

Close to Mosquito Bay is one of these Bioluminescence bays. Probably among the world's best. So come here to see the magic. There's a dirt road that will take you there. Next to the Bioluminescence bay are a couple of beaches worth mentioning. Media Luna Beach (Half Moon), and Navio Beach (Ship), are so different and right near each other. Media Luna Beach is a tiny inlet with white powdery sand and few waves. Soft... And then Navio Beach is a quarter-mile strip which is downright rugged and full of breakers. Rough...

Lastly, Narrow Green Beach (you can tell an American named this one), is up on the northwest point of Isla Vieques, as you pass the Kiani Lagoon. Come here to see the sunsets. You know those pictures of the sand and palms and sun setting over the ocean? This is your backdrop. So nice!

Isla Vieques - Beach Index:

• Sand - mostly powdery white sand, lightly packed
• Facilities - some, but not all beaches, plan ahead
• Shade - palms throughout
• Sports - few rentals, better to bring your own
• Notes - we highly recommend a bioluminescence tour!
  

We head to the southwest coast, Guanica, where dramatic rocky coast makes beaches hard to find. But we found some! Next! >>

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! >>

Isla Palominos - Fajardo, Puerto Rico

Fajardo is very beautiful. We love these types of port towns that seem to have been here forever. A major boating center, Fajardo has many charters available to visit the nearby islands. But let me tell you the diving and snorkeling off the coast here is spectacular. Because of the offshore reef, the shoreline in many areas is calm and since there really isn't any beach around Fajardo, except for Seven Seas Beach, the water is clear.

The El Conquistador Resort & Golden Door Spa has an exclusive lease on a near by island called Isla Palominos. Imagine being ferried off to the 100 acre paradise through cobalt blue seas. The resort has a catamaran that takes you from the hotel out to the island. And the beach here is white!

El Conquistador runs a full-service water-sports operation, along with something for those who'd rather stay above water: a putting green. We found Isla Palominos to be wonderful, with a sweet cafe that caters to almost every need.

Along the north side of the island is Sunrise Cove, and Hidden Cove, both clothing-optional beaches. Make sure you take your sunscreen.

El Conquistador Resort & Golden Door Spa has around 1,000 rooms, with 16 cafes and restaurants, with a Mahattan's Strip House that's hard to beat. The Arthur Hill golf course has breathtaking views. And they recently updated the casino here. Well worth the visit. Take time to enjoy the fresh ocean breezes here. We found them quite invigorating, especially since we didn't go in the water. Where is my snorkel gear when I need it?

Isla Palominos - Beach Index:

• Sand - fine white powder
• Facilities - full
• Shade - umbrellas, some trees
• Sports - full water-sports facility. Snorkel, diving, windsurf, kiteboard.
• Notes - a $12 million water park opens early 2008.
  

Our favorite beach is up next. It's a Blue Flag beach with sand so white you'll think it's powder. Let's go to Culebra, Next! >>