Culebra Island

Culebra Island ranks among the most popular day trip destinations from mainland Puerto Rico. Tours typically transport you by high-speed catamaran from Fajardo, and tend to include snorkel stops, a buffet lunch, and time to relax on the beach and swim. From Culebra, you can access smaller island destinations such as Culebrita and Cayo Luis Pena—for which a permit is required—by taking a public water taxi from the main town.

• Don’t forget to pack a bathing suit, beach towel, and reef-safe sunscreen.
• The island is home to a few restaurants and small hotels for those who’d like to stay overnight.
• Flamenco Beach has lifeguards, making it the best choice for families visiting with younger kids.

Culebra is 20 miles (32 kilometers) off the coast of Fajardo on the eastern side of Puerto Rico. The only way to get there is by boat or small plane. Boats typically depart from Puerto Del Rey Marina in Fajardo.

The best weather for soaking up the sun occurs between mid-April and June, which also happens to be the best time to spot sea turtles on the island’s beaches. Weather is often better during the winter months of December and January, but expect Flamenco Beach to be crowded during this time. 

This small, uninhabited island just off the coast of Culebra sits within a national wildlife refuge. Accessible via a short boat ride, the island features six small beaches and an old lighthouse—one of the oldest lighthouses in the Caribbean. Wild sea turtles frequent the area; you can often see them nesting in the sand or swimming offshore.

There are two ways to get to Culebra Island from mainland Puerto Rico: by boat and plane. Aeropuerto Benjamín Rivera Noriega (CPX) is the island's only airport, with departures from Ceiba. Boat ferries depart from Ceiba to Terminal de Lanchas Culebra.

Yes, there are multiple independent hotels (essentially privately owned guesthouses) and other accommodations, such as B&Bs and vacation rentals, along the western side of the island, close to the airport. For example, El Navegante de Culebra is a small, 8-room lodge with access to the Ensenada Honda Bay public dock.

Twenty percent of the island is preserved as the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge, which is one of the best places to hike on Culebra. The refuge has more than 13 different species of birds, endangered sea turtles, and other native animals that you may see while exploring the island.

Zoni Beach is a small beach on the east side of Culebra Island where you can watch sea turtles nest on the warm white sand. Flamenco Beach is one of the most popular; this crescent coastline has clear water that is perfect for snorkeling. Tamarindo Beach is also popular with visitors.

Yes, there are dozens of restaurants and cafés on Culebra Island, though most are close to the airport between Flamenco and Culebra. La Cocina Del Navegante is a highly rated restaurant serving mofongo and seafood, including coconut shrimp, mahi mahi, and red snapper with rice and beans.

There are opportunities for water-based fun throughout the island, available through both guided tours and private equipment rentals. Renting snorkeling gear is a popular option, thanks to the crystal clear water, while other groups take guided kayak tours around the wildlife refuge.