These 26 Things to Do in Vieques are Worth It
👉 Jump to: Best Things to Do | History & Culture | Hiking & Walking | Non-Beach | Near Ferry Terminal
Your trip to Puerto Rico isn’t complete without checking out the many things to do in Vieques.
I’m a Puerto Rico local who has written an entire Puerto Rico ebook and has personally been to Vieques.
And, I can tell you, there’s a lot more to do than just lounging on the beach.
To help you enjoy the best of the island, here are the 26 things to do and activities you can’t miss during your visit to Vieques.
PS – if you still need to book accommodation, be sure to bookmark my guide to where to stay in Vieques!
Affiliate Disclosure: Travel Lemming is an independent reader-supported blog. You can support us by purchasing via the affiliate links on this page, which may earn us commissions. See our Advertising Policy for further explanation. Thank you!
26 Best Things to Do in Vieques Island
Mosquito Bioluminescent Bay
Kayak in the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world.
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Browse Viator’s Top Bio Bay Tours
One of the main attractions in Vieques, Mosquito Bay is the most popular of the three bioluminescent bays in Puerto Rico.
Take a night kayak tour with any of the tour companies in Vieques, but book your kayaking experience during a night with a new moon to see the bay at its brightest.
I visited with a bit of moon, and even then, the glow was mesmerizing!
Take a boat tour instead if you’re visiting with children or seniors, so you don’t miss out on one of the top activities to enjoy in Puerto Rico.
Water gets inside the kayak from the paddling during the tour. Bring a dry bag, a towel, and a change of clothes for your kayak trip.
👉 Coming from San Juan? Book a Mosquito Bio Bay Tour from San Juan to have everything planned for you and enjoy a smooth trip to and from Vieques.
Sun Bay Beach
Take a dip in the only beach with amenities in Vieques.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 741-8198 | Hours: 8:30 am – 6 pm daily | Parking: $4
Sun Bay Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Vieques for its easy access and facilities.
Located on Vieques’ south coast Sun Bay Beach has showers, tables, and lifeguards. The beach is also a top Puerto Rico camping site.
Keep in mind most facilities are closed during the low season which goes from September to February.
👉 Local Tip: Hike to Cayo de Tierra (a cay connected to the beach) and Media Luna Beach from Sun Bay Beach.
Playa Negra
Walk to this hidden black sand beach.
📍 Google Maps | Entrance: Free | 👉 Book a Playa Negra Horseback Riding Tour
Head over to Playa Negra if you’re looking for unique and astonishing landscapes in Vieques.
Hidden at the end of a 15-minute trail, this black sand beach is easily one of the best beaches in Vieques. In fact, it is one of the few black sand beaches on the Puerto Rican archipelago, making it worthy of a spot in your Puerto Rico itinerary.
If you love horseback riding, you can’t miss the chance to take a horseback riding tour to Playa Negra, where the cliffs, black sand, and crashing waves make your horseback riding experience even better.
Mosquito Pier
Stroll through a pier that was originally intended to connect Vieques to mainland Puerto Rico.
📍 Google Maps | Entrance: Free
Mosquito Pier is one of the top places to take a relaxing stroll or do yoga on Vieques Island. This pier is about a mile long and it’s said that the US Navy attempted to connect Vieques to the main island in 1941.
If you’re an adventurer, and a really good swimmer, you can dive from the pier into the water.
This pier is also a popular spot for snorkeling and diving in Puerto Rico, although currents are strong, and you should definitely be experienced.
At night you can also take LED Kayak Tours at this pier!
Vieques National Wildlife Refuge
Explore the remote beaches and roads of a wildlife refuge that used to be a bombing range.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 741-2138 | Website | Hours: 7 am – 7:30 pm March-August, 7 am – 6:30 pm September- February | Entrance: Free
Although it was once a bombing range for the US Navy, now the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge is one of Puerto Rico’s most stunning sites.
This refuge houses some of the best beaches in Vieques, which are great for swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing, and sailing.
The Vieques National Wildlife Refuge also offers top-notch Puerto Rico hiking trails to go hiking and birdwatching.
Although the main road is asphalted, the sideroads to the remote beaches are some of the most challenging sites to drive in Puerto Rico without a 4×4, as they are muddy, and rocky.
Navio Beach
Cliff-dive or visit the hidden caves on this beach.
Navio Beach is one of the most fun beaches in Vieques for its diverse offer. Navio is mostly known for its hidden caves. But, thrill seekers love to cliff dive from the rock formations on the beach. Navio Beach’s playful waves are great to do bodysurfing too.
It does fill with sargasumm periodically, particularly around May. Use the Caricoos website to track saragassum and know if the beach is good for swimming before hand.
Punta Arenas Beach
Snorkel with sea turtles on this remote and hard-to-reach beach on the north coast.
📍 Google Maps | Entrance: Free |👉 Book a Punta Arenas Snorkeling Tour
Vieques is one of the best places in Puerto Rico to swim with sea turtles. Getting to Punta Arenas is hard, and you’ll need a 4×4 vehicle to go through the muddy and uneven roads.
But, that’s precisely why it’s such a good snorkeling spot with sea grass and marine life including turtles and sharks.
Multiple companies offer snorkeling tours, but if you have experience and the equipment, you can easily go on your own.
Visit on weekdays to avoid the crowds from boat tours that dock at this part of the island. And beware of the rough currents, particularly in the winter season..
La Esperanza Neighborhood
Enjoy the gastronomy in La Esperanza with a beach view.
Besides great beaches, Vieques Island also has delicious cuisine. In El Malecón in La Esperanza, you will find multiple restaurants that serve a mix of American, International, and Puerto Rican cuisine.
One of the most popular is Lazy Jack’s, an outdoor eatery where you can try great fish tacos.
Don’t shy away from exploring the rest of the island’s restaurants and food trucks. Isabel II also has multiple restaurants including the two only bakeries in Vieques.
Isla Chiva
Scuba dive in Vieques waters beaming with marine life.
📍 Google Maps | Entrance: Free
Vieques offers some of the top-tier scuba diving spots in Puerto Rico, and Isla Chiva is one of them.
Located outside Playa La Chiva, Isla Chiva has healthy and colorful reefs. Here it’s easy to spot schools of colorful fish, sting rays, and even seahorses!
Other popular diving spots around the island include Patti’s Reef, Angel’s Reef, and Mosquito Pier. Multiple companies like Isla Nena Scuba offer diving tours around Vieques.
Culebra
Take a day trip to Culebra and bathe in its beautiful beaches.
If you’re staying in Vieques for a few days and you want to visit Culebra too, you can take a flight directly to this small paradise and return at the end of the day.
Culebra’s best attractions include the famous Flamenco Beach, with white sand, turquoise waters, and a military tank right on the beach.
See my post on Vieques vs Culebra to understand the differences between the two islands.
👉 Local Tip: As of April 2025, ferries aren’t running between Vieques and Culebra.
Best History & Culture
Bunkers
Adventure inside bunkers left behind by the US Navy.
📍 Google Maps | Entrance: Free | 👉 Book a Tour to the Bunkers
Visitors unaware of Vieques’ history might be surprised to learn about all the things the US Marine and Navy left behind.
One of those things are bunkers, and a few of them at that! You’ll find them on the west of Vieques along Bunkers Road. Of course, they are now abandoned, which means it’s a great stop if you’re into spooky ruins.
Some of them are covered in murals and street art, and if you’re lucky enough to find one open, don’t miss the chance to look inside.
If you’re interested in learning about Vieques’ military and history, book a Vieques cultural tour that will take you to all of Vieque’s ruins and important landmarks.
Playa Grande Sugar Cane Plantation Ruins
Find the ruins of an old plantation on Vieques’ south coast.
📍 Google Maps | Entrance: Free
Vieques had a strong sugar cane economy before the US Navy and the Marines took over the island.
Although no longer existent, the industry left ruins around the island and history lovers can track them down.
The most popular ruins are the Playa Grande Plantation Ruins which were abandoned in 1940 and are now covered in vegetation, creating a unique and enchanting site ideal for photos.
👉 Love Ruins? Check out the old pier in Puerto Real, the molasses storage tanks in Green Beach, or the locomotive in Esperanza.
Punta Ferro Lighthouse Ruins
Hike to an abandoned lighthouse and enjoy the best view of Vieques.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 741-2138 | Website | Hours: 7 am – 7:30 pm March-August, 7 am – 6:30 pm September- February | Entrance: Free
One of the best things to do in Vieques for landscape lovers is to hike to the Puerto Ferro Lighthouse Ruins, abandoned after the 1925 earthquake.
The ruins’ surrounding landscape and cliff views are worth every step of one of the best hikes in Puerto Rico. Make sure to bring your camera along to snap some amazing pictures of the sunset.
El Fortin Mirasol
Get to know Vieques’ history and battle against the US Navy in this fortress and museum.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 741-1717 | Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Wed-Sun, 12 -1 pm lunch break, Closed Mon-Tues | Entrance: Free
El Fortin del Conde Mirasol Museum holds a compact but important collection that depicts Vieques’ history.
This structure was a fortification made by the Spanish Empire in 1845 and in the late 1980s, it became a small museum.
The damage from Hurricane Maria in 2017 took a toll on the structure, but it is still worth a visit if you want to learn about Vieques. Once there, don’t miss out on the mesmerizing view from the fortress.
👉 Local Tip: As of April 2025, the site is temporarily closed. Even when it’s open, the museum has irregular hours, and it’s often closed due to a lack of budget for guides and employees.
Best Hiking & Walking
Monte Pirata
Trek to the highest peak in Vieques.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 722-5882 | Website | Entrance: Free
Monte Pirata is the highest peak at Vieques, with an altitude of 960 feet. It’s located within the Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre El Buey on the west side of Vieques. The hike to get there is strenuous and steep, but the view at the top is worth the effort.
Puerto Mosquito NNL
Soak in the view from this platform in the wildlife refuge.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 741-2138 | Website | Hours: 7 am – 7:30 pm March-August, 7 am – 6:30 pm September- February | Entrance: Free
The Vieques National Wildlife Refuge features a breathtaking viewpoint known as the Puerto Mosquito National Natural Landmark Observation Platform that offers the best view of the area.
You can reach this viewpoint by car or by hiking a 0.7-mile off-road trail from the refuge’s main road. The viewpoint allows you to see Mosquito Bay, Puerto Ferro Bay, and the south cays.
Cayo de Tierra
Hike through the coast until reaching an offshore cay.
Surrounding Vieques Island, you will find multiple cays, including Cayo de Tierra. Located on the south coast of Vieques, between Playa La Esperanza, and Sun Bay Beach, this cay connects to land by a small isthmus.
You can hike through the isthmus and around the cay if the sea and weather conditions are right.
El Malecon La Esperanza
See the sunset from this beachfront promenade in the south of Vieques.
📍 Google Maps | Entrance: Free
Besides featuring one of the most popular beaches in Vieques and good restaurants, El Malecón is also a top spot for admiring the sunset and taking a relaxing stroll.
Walk along the beach, soaking in the sun, or head to the Old Sugar Cane Pier on the east, from where you can dive into the water side by side with locals.
Best Non-Beach Things
Crab Island Rum Distillery
Tour one of Puerto Rico’s top distilleries, located right in Vieques.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 934-8015 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 5 pm Thurs-Fri, 12 pm – 8 pm Sat, Closed Sun-Wed
Vieques sports its own distillery called Crab Island Rum Distillery.
This distillery is the first artisanal distillery in Vieques that handcrafts rum with coffee and orange infusions. It also produces classic and 3-year-old rum.
After touring the distillery, you can sample and buy the local rum. Visit on Saturday nights to enjoy a drink with live entertainment.
Parque de la Ceiba de Vieques
Sit in the roots of a 300-year-old Ceiba tree.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 467-4352 | Entrance: Free
While driving through the north coast, make a quick stop to admire the Ceiba tree in Parque de la Ceiba de Vieques.
Puerto Rico’s national tree, this Ceiba is more than 300 years old and it’s famous for its large size. This is also one of the places you’ll get the perfect opportunity to take a picture with the horses in Vieques, but they are scattered throughout the island.
Ticatove
Join a local organization in beach clean-ups in Vieques.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 428-8288 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily
If you’re looking for opportunities to volunteer in Puerto Rico, then know you can give a hand at Ticatove in Vieques. This organization focuses on the conservation of turtles, beaches, and other natural resources in Vieques.
Ticotove organizes frequent beach clean-ups you can participate in. Check out their social media to learn about upcoming events.
Ensenada Honda and Vieque’s South Coast
Catch tarpons, snappers, and marlins offshore.
If you’re a fishing enthusiast, you’ll be more than happy to know Vieques is a great fishing destination.
The best thing about fishing in Vieques is that it isn’t as crowded as other main fishing ports like Fajardo.
The shallow waters and reefs are home to diverse marine life including bonefish and tarpon. Out in the open sea, you can even find marlins. You can book a fishing charter with Vieques’ Sport Fishing, and Caribbean Fly Fishing.
👉 Want More? Check out all our free Vieques travel guides.
Best Near Ferry Terminal
Sea Glass Beach
Find beautiful sea glass on this beach in the north of Vieques.
📍 Google Maps | Entrance: Free
Crafters and collectors will love to visit Sea Glass Beach in Vieques since the beach’s sand harbors plenty of beautiful crystals. The parking is limited, but you can park in the Isabel II town center and walk down to this peculiar Puerto Rico beach.
One of my favorite things about this beach is that it’s within walking distance of the ferry terminal. Plus, you occasionally find horses roaming in it!
PR-200 Road
Bike through PR 200 and PR 201 in Vieques.
One of the best ways to enjoy Vieques is on top of a bicycle through the scenic PR-200 on the north coast.
As you bike, you’ll pass by numerous beaches, including El Gallito Beach and Playa Blaydin. You’ll also see the Ceiba tree, the airport, and the Mosquito Pier.
You can also explore other parts of the island on a bicycle, except for some parts of the nature reserve, where the roads are too rocky, and the interior, where the hills make it challenging to bike. You can rent your bicycle from different companies like Vieques Cycles.
👉 Want More? Check out all our free Vieques travel guides.
Isabel Segunda
Shop in Vieque’s downtown and take unique souvenirs home.
If you’re using the ferry to arrive at Vieques, you’ll be arriving at Isabel II, where you’ll find restaurants, bakeries, art galleries, and shops. A visit to Vieques isn’t complete without dropping by the souvenir shops to buy keepsakes, snacks, and local art to take back home.
D’ Frozz
Satisfy your sweet tooth in this small and colorful ice cream shop.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 710-8622 | Hours: 7 am – 8 pm Sun-Thurs, 7 am – 9 pm Fri-Sat
After a day of hiking in the refuge or swimming on the beach, the best way to complete your tropical getaway is to enjoy ice Cream at D’Frozz, where you get to try unique ice cream flavors like Froot Loops and Corn Pops.
Worry not! You’ll find traditional flavors too. The shop is the perfect stop to refresh yourself while you wait for your ferry time.
Puerto Rico: A Local’s Travel Guide
$29.95Learn how to explore Puerto Rico like a local. This is a practical handbook expertly crafted to help you get the most out of your time in Puerto Rico.
👉 Read Next: Where to Stay in Vieques
***
Vieques will not fail to meet your expectations of a Caribbean getaway! You will find everything from stunning beaches to delicious cuisine in this paradise.
If you can’t get enough of beautiful landscapes and good food, don’t miss all about the other top destinations to visit in Puerto Rico during your trip.
Hi, I am planning a trip to Porto RicoJan or Feb. 26.
Would like to go to Vieques Maybe a week, or is that too long? Then staying on west side for a few weeks, then Other side for a few weeks, or do you thinks Staying for a week at each place around island?also I few days in San Juan? Thanks Julie Moneybrake
Hi Julie!
It sounds like you’ll be staying for over a month. How exciting! That’s a great amount of time to explore Puerto Rico more deeply and slow down at your favorite spots.
If you’re a beach and outdoor lover, a week in Vieques will be great. You’ll have time to explore all the beaches, go hiking, and experience the bioluminescent bay. Just make sure to plan your visit around a new moon for the best glow!
The west coast has a lot to offer, but if you’re up for driving, I’d suggest spending about a week in each region: the west coast, south coast, north coast, east coast, and the mountainous interior. Also, try to visit both offshore islands. Each area has its own unique mix of beaches, rivers, forests, nature reserves, and historical sites.
And of course, dedicate a few days to San Juan too!
Hope that helps!
Hi there! I am planning a vacation the first week of August for myself (mom) and my 3 teenagers. This sounds like a PERFECT place but I am worried about visiting PR that time of year due to hurricane season. Can anyone give me some advice? Thank you!
Kathleen
Hurricane season runs from june to november, so, yes, there is a possibility to run across a depression, tropical storm or hurricane during that time of the year. But, still lots of tourist travel to PR during that season, because is that time of the year where all the beaches around the island have the calmest and warmest water. Hope you can visit our beautiful island and have a wonderful time either during that time of the year or any other time.
I see you said there’s a ferry from Vieques to Culebra but I see it only runs once a month on the last Sunday of the month. Is there a more regular ferry? Planning on staying on Vieques but would love to go to Culebra while we are there for a day trip!
My wife and I are visiting Puerto rico next week and spending 4 days in Vieques. I want to thank you for the great article. I am sure this will help us have so much fun
We are staying in Cabo Rojo, how do we get to the Island. Is this possible for a day trip? What is the earliest ferry and last ferry.
How would I travel there? Is there an airport that goes straight there?
You have to go to San Juan first, then you go go via ferry or flight. See Vanessa’s guide on how to go from San Juan to Vieques for details.
I love all of your recommendations. I couldn’t find it, so I ask. Do you have recommendations for venues to dance Caribbean music?
Do we need to rent a car? Golf cart? Bicycle?? Having trouble finding Car rental.. my husband thinks we’ll be fine. Just want to be ready to travel around island. Thank You
Was just in Vieques early February and we had a golf cart since no cars or Jeep’s were available. It was a little rough for distance driving with all of the potholes and speed bumps, but you need something to get around the whole island, so I recommend!
I do want to encourage everyone who visits Vieques to snorkel with one of the local companies – these guides know the best locations to snorkel depending on the conditions and can help you to find turtles, rays, nurse sharks, eels, octopus, etc., as well as educating you in regards to reef conservation. Rip tides can be a genuine threat depending on where you are on the island- just last month a young woman lost her life snorkeling alone without a guide. Stay safe!
Do you have a snorkeling company recommendation
Great information. Thank you. Vieques has been a bucket list place for me and my husband and I will arrive in Feb for our 25th anniversary trip(1 month late). Can’t wait.
Adria, hope you enjoy your anniversary vacation! Vieques will not disappoint you 🙂
Ah you missed one of the best experiences, Serenity Point Yoga by the sea in Monte Santo Playa! Weekly classes and private groups. All levels. By donation for Vieques summer ArtCamp where all the children are sponsored. We also offer reiki and massage by the ocean in our Wellness Casita. Come for the Yoga, Stay for the Spirituality.
Marion, noted and added to the things to do on my next visit to Vieques!
The few the proud… Vieques.
I was born at my grandparents house en el barrio La Hueca. And hopefully upon my retirement I’ll move back to Vieques and maybe open a small ‘timbiriche’
Rafael, I couldn’t imagine a best place to retire to!
We are planning to visit Vieques for the 3rd time on Dec 31st. We fly into San Juan and then take a short flight to the island of Vieques. Has Covid requirements changed for either location since your update on the 8th of Dec. Do we need a negative test as well as vaccine? Is the one shot Johnson and Johnson vaccine accepted?
Hi Leslie, you can find information about travel to Puerto Rico and the latest requirements at https://www.travelsafe.pr.gov/
What do I have to do in 2022 regarding Covid and entering Vieques? I am 3x vacinnated.
Hi Sean! Up to this date, upon your arrival in Puerto Rico, you have to fill a travel declaration and upload an official vaccination card. Once on the island, if you’re fully vaccinated you just need to carry your vaccine card with you to show it at restaurants and the place you’re staying in Vieques. You will also need to wear your mask in indoor locations. Besides that, there aren’t any additional requirements to take the ferry and enter Vieques.
Nice comprehensive list of things to do in Vieques. My only exception to your list would be bicycling. With the terrain, pot holes, one lane roads, free range horses, dogs, chickens, mongoose and iguanas it’s not safe.
Not all streets are optimal for bicycling, especially the ones in the interior, but the main 200 street seems great for a calm -and alert- ride. But, yes, we both can agree that bicycling in Vieques brings its own challenges!
Agree 100%, Miss Ramos. Extremely safe to bicycle.
You forgot to Visit Robin’s Mojito Bar , is the Only place in Vieques that serves huge 32oz Artesanal Mojitos! If you travel to Vieques and didn’t stop at Robins you missed a great place!
Noted! But now our readers know and are in time to add it to their must-visit list in Vieques. Thank you for sharing it with us!
ABSOLUTELY THE BEST MOJITOS ON THE ISLAND!! WILL BE THERE TO SEE YOU AGAIN IN OCTOBER!!
There are no wild horses in Vieques, they are all owned or claimed by someone. Many are hit by cars, roaming with injuries, malnourished, tick infested and neglected. I am part of a horse rescue organization in Vieques and just want the truth to come out vs glamorizing the situation.
Mrs. Gilreath, thank you for raising awareness. I just visited your social media page and it’s beautiful what you do! I’m aware all horses in Vieques are owned. I called them wild horses because they roam freely, and aren’t locked inside a stable, which is what you’d expect. Some visitors go to Vieques without being aware of the many horses they’ll find on the road, and therefore they don’t take the necessary precautions when they’re driving. Thank you for using this space to share the great labor your organization does with them and to help both horse owners and drivers be more responsible.
Was stationed on Vieques for two years in 1984-1986. Are there still cattle roaming the area?
I was stationed at camp Garcia 77 to 78 and ran into wild cows from the quansets huts to the e club. don’t mess with them after drinking
They are wild and free roaming as a stray dog or cat is! So of course, stray animals don’t have a vet and are not groomed as house pets are. Thanks for your rescue service.
Thank you