Vieques is a small island located off the east-coast of Puerto Rico’s main island.
It’s known for having the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world, Mosquito Bay, and for its gorgeous beaches.
I’ve been living in Puerto Rico for 14 years and Vieques is one of my favorite places to visit during the summer.
In this article, I will cover the 17 best beaches in Vieques, Puerto Rico:
1. Navio Beach
Playa Navio’s calm, foamy waves with their hidden caverns are what make it special.
The beach is vast and long, and the hypnotic sounds of the ocean provide the perfect setting for curling up with your favorite book.
At either end of Navio are cliffs that are bordered by a lush line of native flora, sea grape plants, and palm palms.
Check out Navio Beach in the following video:
Check out our list of the 30 Best Things To Do In Vieques while you plan your trip.
2. Caracas Beach
Caracas Beach, also known as “Red Beach” is a family-friendly beach that is popular among locals for spending fun days in the sun.
Playa Caracas is the first beach access point on the National Wildlife Refuge on the south side of Vieques along the Caribbean Sea.
Fun Fact: Caracas Beach was used for a Victoria Secret Swim Special, it’s known as being one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
Check out Caracas Beach in the following video:
Learn more about this beach in our article 8 Best Snorkeling Spots In Vieques.
3. El Gallito Beach
The north end of Vieques has a golden sand beach that is conveniently close by and ideal for a quick beach stop.
Playa El Gallito, also known as Gringo Beach, has excellent seas and reefs for snorkeling whereas most people travel straight to the south beaches.
The tide is often quiet, and despite being rocky, you may take a small dip.
Check out El Gallito Beach in the following video:
Plan your your trip with our list of the .
4. Grande Beach
Playa Grande is just as large and spectacular as the name would imply.
It is a breathtaking sight and a good starting point for a long walk all the way to Playa Negra, despite not being a good beach for swimming.
Check out Grande Beach in the following video:
Learn more about this area in our article Black Sand Back – All You Need To Know.
5. Media Luna Beach
Media Luna Beach is a fantastic beach that is popular with families and ideal for kids.
The waters are shallows and perfect for snorkeling as you can discover schools of tropical fishes that swarm around you as you swim.
Check out Media Luna Beach in the following video:
To learn more about the area, read article Is Vieques Safe?
6. Escondida Beach
Escondida Beach may be the tiniest beach on earth.
This beach is the perfect location to pretend that you’re on your own private beach.
There’s so much to explore in the beautiful waters of Escondida Beach so don’t forget to take your snorkeling gear with you.
Check out Escondida Beach in the following video:
7. Playuela
Playuela is one of Vieques most isolated beaches.
This beach offers crystal-clear turquoise waters, and amazing terrain and comes with a little island only a few feet away from the coast.
There’s also a great hiking trail called Cerro Playuela that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding beaches
Here’s a video of the Playuela Trail & Beach:
8. La Plata Beach
The name Plata, which means “silver” is ideal for this beach’s sparkling brilliant white sand.
The beach is very smooth, and the waters glitter in dazzling clarity.
Since few people go to the island’s farthest east end, the atmosphere is ideal for relaxing.
Playa Plata is one of the most popular beaches for honeymooners, and every time we visit, we share the sand with one or two couples.
Check out La Plata Beach in the following video:
9. Esperanza Beach
This beach is situated in the heart of Vieques’s popular La Esperanza community.
As a result, it is one of the few beaches in town that is conveniently located near a wide variety of dining options, retail establishments, lodging options, and tour operators.
You’ll also get a view of The Esperanza Pier, a major tourist attraction in Vieques.
Check out Esperanza Beach in the following video:
10. Pata Prieta Beach
Pata Prieta offers white sand, calm waters, and an abundance of marine life for you to explore while snorkeling.
Since this beach is part of the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge, the path to this beach can be difficult to reach.
Upon arriving you’ll have to hike a small path downhill, but once you arrive you’ll see it was worth the hike.
Check out Pata Prieta Beach in the following video:
11. Punta Arenas Beach
Punta Arenas, also known as Green Beach, is a beautiful paradise beach waiting for you to enjoy.
The path to Punta Arenas is a bit difficult, with the bumpy dirt road on its path, it’s best to get there in a rental jeep.
If you love snorkeling, you’ll find this beach to be an excellent beach where you’ll find manta rays, sea turtles, tropical fishes, and more.
Check out Punta Arenas Beach in the following video:
12. Black Sand Beach
One of the most fascinating sites to visit in Vieques is Black Sand Beach (Playa Negra).
The journey begins with a short, beautiful walk that leads to an incredible, magazine-worthy sight.
Vieques has one of the most stunning black sand beaches in the world, so there’s no need to go all the way to Hawaii to view it.
Check out Black Sand Beach in the following video:
13. Cofi Beach
Cofi Beach offers gentle waves, and soft golden sands and provides a great view of a historic pier.
Cofi Beach also known as Sea Glass Beach is perfect for collectors as it’s full of lovely crystals.
Check out Cofi Beach in the following video:
14. Sun Bay Beach
Sun Bay is the ideal beach in Vieques for families because of its convenient access, amenities, and stunning surroundings.
You’ll also enjoy the beauty, the plush sand, and the horses that graze freely along the beach.
Check out Sun Bay Beach in the following video:
15. La Chiva Beach
La Chiva Beach is a flat beach with quiet waves.
La Chiva Beach is a large beach with several access points that is less crowded than Caracas Beach and is ideal for resting while enjoying a gorgeous view.
It’s also considered a popular snorkeling location as mentioned in our Best Snorkel Spots in Puerto Ricoarticle.
Check out La Chiva Beach in the following video:
16. Mosquito (Bay)
Mosquito Bay is a magical place to visit in Vieques.
This is one of three bioluminescent bays found in Puerto Rico, located in the south of Vieques.
The glowing water will have you amazed.
Learn more about Puerto Rico’s bio bays in our article Bioluminescent Bays Puerto Rico – All You Need To Know.
17. Blaydin Beach
Blaydin Beach is great for snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding, and overall swimming.
Upon snorkeling, you’ll see an abundance of marine life like fishes, rays, and the most popular starfishes!
FAQ section
Which side of Vieques has the best beaches?
You'll find that the south side of Vieques offers the best beaches to visit.
How are the beaches in Vieques?
The beaches in Vieques are isolated and protected within the Vieques Wildlife Refuge. It's great for snorkeling are enjoying alone time by yourself or with your family.
Final thoughts
Vieques is a beautiful island in Puerto Rico.
My favourite beaches in Vieques are Black Sand Beach, Navio Beach and Esperanza Beach.
You should also visit Mosquito Bay in Vieques, which is the brightest bio bay in the world.
Next, read our guide that explains how to get to Vieques from the main island in Puerto Rico.
Also, if you are looking for more beaches, check out our article 30 Best Beaches In Puerto Rico.
Article by
Miguel Concepcion
Writer at PuertoRico.com. I’ve lived in Puerto Rico for 14 years and have experienced every inch of this stunning island. Growing up in Puerto Rico has helped me truly learn about the rich culture and extensive history this island has to offer. I share my local knowledge in all of the articles that I write.
About the author
