Vieques, Puerto Rico

Vieques, Puerto Rico is a long skinny island, populated in the middle part only, located about 7-8 miles (12-13 km) to the east of the Puerto Rico's mainland, and measures approximately 21 miles (34 km) long by 4 miles (6 km) wide with a the population of around 10,000.

Vieques derives its name from the Taíno Indian word 'bieke' or small island. It is also know as "Isla Nena" (little girl island) by the locals or "Isabel Segunda" (Isabel II) and is geographically part of the Virgin Islands.  You can reach Vieques, Puerto Rico via a ferry or by small aircraft from Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The ferryboat ride takes about an hour from Fajardo and it will cost $4.00 round trip. Vieques has no transportation back to mainland Puerto Rico after 6 PM so in order to see the biobay one must either stay the night of do a private charter.

There are no traffic lights but there are many horses and they seem to be everywhere, wild walking across the roads, so watch out if you are driving. Most of these are descended from Spanish stock several hundred years ago and some still roam wild on the Island.

The ferry usually begins loading 30 minutes prior to departure. Pets are allowed on the passenger ferry, but, not under the air conditioned area, they need to be on a pets cage and ride on the non/air conditioned areas of the ferry.

A number of local carriers fly from the main island to "Isla Nena" ($20-$50/person) using single and twin engine planes. The panoramas of the El Yunque rain forest from the cockpit are spectacular!

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Vieques, Puerto Rico is best known internationally as the site of a series of protests against the U.S. Navy's use of the island as a bombing range and weapons testing ground for more than 60 years, which eventually led to the Navy's departure in 2003.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife administer about 60 % of the island of Vieques making the eastern 12 miles and the western part a nature reserve.  Temperatures vary little throughout the year, with average daily ranging from 82 °F (28 °C) in January to 87 °F (31 °C) in July.

Because it is still largely undiscovered, Vieques only has at most a few hundred tourists at any given time. Now that the Vieques secret is out, many travel experts around the world are calling the island "The Next Hottest Caribbean destination".

Vieques has two towns: Isabel II in the North and Esperanza in the South of the island. The best Vieques has to offer is the beauty of the beaches, swaying coco trees, and bathwater bays.

Snorkeling is excellent, especially at Blue Beach (Bahía de la Chiva). Aside from archeological sites, such as La Hueca, and deserted beaches, a unique feature of Vieques is the presence of two pristine bioluminescent bays, including Mosquito Bay.

The Bio-Bay in Vieques, Puerto Rico is a unique, a "Must See", and a "Once in a lifetime experience".  None of the pictures you see really do justice. It is just a spectacular experience and is perhaps the world's largest and brightest.

The luminescence is caused by micro-organisms (dinoflagellates) which glow whenever the water is disturbed, leaving a trail of neon blue. 

Because the viewing of Bio-Bay is affected by light, even the reflected light of the moon can dim this incredible experience.

There are times when it becomes less than desirable to venture out on the Bio-bay so it is best viewed during a New to Waxing or Waning moon, or before moon rise or after moon set. A full moon is not the best time to see the bio-bay.

There are several boat tours out to the bay, including kayak trips (which are more ecologically sustainable).

Vieques, Puerto Rico offers other amenities, such as scuba diving, deep-sea fishing and horseback riding.  Vieques has also become a premiere destination for weddings and honeymoons.

Lastly, there is a huge amount of available diving and it gets relatively little use. As a result, most of the water surrounding Vieques is untouched territory.

Ferry Travel Schedules - Disclaimer: Schedules are subject to change, we encourage you to verify this  information with the relevant authorities before you travel 

Port Authority Marine Transportation: (787) 741-4761 or (787) 863-0705 ext.476 
 
Fajardo - Vieques 
Mon-Fri 6:30 am, 11:00 am, and 3:00 pm
Sat-Sun 6:30 am, 11:00 am, and 4:40 pm 

Vieques - Fajardo 
Mon-Fri 9:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 4:30 pm
Sat-Sun 9:00 am, 3:00 am, and 6:00 pm 

Map Puerto Rico provides most of Vieques, Puerto Rico information as accurate as possible but keep in mind that changes beyond our control may make some of this information inaccurate. If you have questions or want to report problems to us, please contact us.