Things to do & places to visit in Isla de Vieques, Puerto Rico

The glowing Mosquito Bay is a vision of bizarre beauty. Thanks to a bioluminescent microorganism, the water is a cool electric blue, looking somewhat like a fantastical sci-fi lagoon. Kayak or hop into a clear-bottomed pontoon boat to glide along the neon waters. Swimmers and snorkelers will adore the pristine, undeveloped beaches. Keep an eye out for the playful feral horses that gallop along the dunes, or visit the stately ceiba tree that’s been keeping watch over the highland for three centuries.

Isla de Vieques #4 destination in Puerto Rico 2023. The average rating score is 4.53 based on 8.629 traveler reviews, of 30 attractions. Timezone: America/Puerto_Rico, current date and time: Friday, May 03, 2024, 10:15.

Top things to do (17)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Playa La Chiva (810 reviews)
- That’s a Caribbean beach!
Friday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Beaches

Vieques National Wildlife Refuge and all visitor facilities is closed due to impacts from Hurricane Irma. Refuge closures include all hiking trails, boat ramps, fishing access, and other recreational use on refuge lands. The closure remains in effect until the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service assesses storm damage and has determined it is safe for visitor access. See more..
5.0 Esperanza Riding Company (369 reviews)
- Amazing Experience
Friday: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Horseback Riding Tours

Get off the beaten path and experience Vieques the way locals do; from the back of a smooth-gaited Paso horse! Everyone will tell you, there is no better way to explore the wilder side of our island. Our guided trail rides take you through the hills, open meadows, woods, river bottoms and beaches of the Esperanza area. You'll even get to try out the paso (a smoother version of the trot)! We offer rides at 8:00 am and 4:00 pm daily; to avoid mid-day heat. The cost is $90 per person for the 1.5 hr group ride and $150 per person for the 2 hr private ride. Family and kid-friendly rides also available. Advanced reservations are required. Please refer to our website for more information and the ability to make a reservation. See more..
5.0 Vieques Gun Club & Sporting Clays (88 reviews)
- Experience or no Experience, come visit when in Vieques
Friday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Shooting Ranges

Join us for skeet or sporting clays shooting. We are located on 100 acres of scenic property with breathtaking ocean views. We provide an NRA certified shotgun instructor, guns, ammunition, eye and ear protection. Advance reservations are strongly encouraged though we are often able to put together a last minute outing. See more..
5.0 Siddhia Hutchinson Fine Art Gallery (48 reviews)
- Great place!
Friday: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Art Galleries

The art work here is amazing. The pieces give you a great appreciation for the island and the people. A must do! See more..
5.0 Crab Island Rum Distillery (40 reviews)
- Support a local great distillery-
Friday: Spent < 1 hour Distilleries

Crab Island is the first rum distillery in Vieques. See more..
5.0 La Plata Beach (21 reviews)
- Best beach we say on Vieques
Friday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Beaches

Awesome! Perfect Beach. Very calm, great views, soft sand, clear water and only a few people on this beach. This beach is about as far out as you can get on Vieques so either you drive yourself or take Vieques Island Tours Beach Bus (787-397-2048) . Most of the cabs don't want to go out that far. See more..
5.0 Esperanza Riding Company (369 reviews)
- Amazing Experience
Friday: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Horseback Riding Tours

Get off the beaten path and experience Vieques the way locals do; from the back of a smooth-gaited Paso horse! Everyone will tell you, there is no better way to explore the wilder side of our island. Our guided trail rides take you through the hills, open meadows, woods, river bottoms and beaches of the Esperanza area. You'll even get to try out the paso (a smoother version of the trot)! We offer rides at 8:00 am and 4:00 pm daily; to avoid mid-day heat. The cost is $90 per person for the 1.5 hr group ride and $150 per person for the 2 hr private ride. Family and kid-friendly rides also available. Advanced reservations are required. Please refer to our website for more information and the ability to make a reservation. See more..
5.0 Vieques Gun Club & Sporting Clays (88 reviews)
- Experience or no Experience, come visit when in Vieques
Friday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Shooting Ranges

Join us for skeet or sporting clays shooting. We are located on 100 acres of scenic property with breathtaking ocean views. We provide an NRA certified shotgun instructor, guns, ammunition, eye and ear protection. Advance reservations are strongly encouraged though we are often able to put together a last minute outing. See more..
5.0 Siddhia Hutchinson Fine Art Gallery (48 reviews)
- Great place!
Friday: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Art Galleries

The art work here is amazing. The pieces give you a great appreciation for the island and the people. A must do! See more..
5.0 Crab Island Rum Distillery (40 reviews)
- Support a local great distillery-
Friday: Spent < 1 hour Distilleries

Crab Island is the first rum distillery in Vieques. See more..
4.5 Bioluminescent Mosquito Bay (2.699 reviews)
- DO NOT BOOK with TRAVESIAS Isleñas Tours
Friday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Bodies of Water

Watch the world’s brightest bioluminescent bay glow as you paddle a glass-bottomed kayak. Catch a ferry at the port outside the town of Ceiba to reach the quiet island of Vieques off the east coast of Puerto Rico. Vieques’ secluded mangrove bay is beautiful during the day but simply astonishing after sunset. You’ll marvel at the neon blue trail left by microorganisms whenever they are disturbed—just dip your hands in the water and watch the effects. Visit on a dark night (e.g. during a new moon) to ensure peak visibility of the phenomenon. – Tripadvisor See more..
4.5 Playa Caracas (918 reviews)
- Paradise on earth
Friday: 7:00 AM - 7:30 PM Beaches

Stunning, almost private beach I'd love to visit again sometime. we took the ferry from San Juan and spent the night on the island. I wish we had allocated more time. We visited several beaches, the tiny Museum in town, It's a Beautiful island With beautiful Horses running the island and beaches. I'm glad the US Navy was finally pushed out it's sad to know the damage they did to the island. See more..
4.5 Balneario Sun Bay (779 reviews)
- Our favorite beach we've ever been to!
Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 AM Beaches

If paradise had palm trees...they'd call it Sun Bay. See more..
4.5 Playa Pata Prieta (300 reviews)
- Favorite Beach ALL TIME!
Friday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Beaches

If you've survived the hassle of just getting to Vieques, you can't miss the chance to visit Secret Beach. Don't forget your sunblock and bug spray. It may not seem super buggy, but these little gnats are there. Just trust me. As for the beach, white sand and the coolest blue water you've ever seen! Almost no surf and the water is warm! One of the best things? We visited this beach twice while we were there and each time we could count on one hand the number of other people who were there. It is very secluded and feels like your own private beach!! See more..
4.5 Mosquito Pier (270 reviews)
- A unique snorkeling spot
Piers & Boardwalks

Sitting a mile out in the Atlantic Ocean, but in only 40 feet of water, Mosquito Pier is unique for the schools of fish and the Hawksbill turtles that live there. Some might find it creepy snorkeling under the pier, with all the pilings that hold the pier up extending down to the bottom, creating interesting shadows and making for excellent photos when a turtle comes along. I love it. Go with a good snorkeling guide (like Crystal Clear) and you won't get too creeped out. See more..
4.5 Malecon (251 reviews)
- Lovely walks
Friday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Piers & Boardwalks

Malecon is very reminescent of European mediterranean promenades. Not very common to see in these parts, it's a stretch of sidewalk with romantic lighting along the Sea. You can watch amazing sunsets and listen to the gentle waves. It's beautiful. See more..
4.5 Playa Navío (227 reviews)
- 4WD is a must.
Friday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Beaches

The rough surf of Navio Beach attracts surfers and a younger, more hip crowd. See more..
4.5 Vieques Island (221 reviews)
- Great place to unplug. NOT A RESORT VACATION!!
Islands

This island off the east coast Puerto Rico is best known as the location of the Bioluminescent Mosquito Bay, where you can see a mystical blue glow on the shores at night—best viewed on a kayaking or boat tour. But Vieques Island offers more than just that. Here, you can see wild horses galloping on the beach, explore the unspoiled mangroves of Vieques National Wildlife Refuge, and relax and snorkel at secluded beaches like La Chiva. You can also explore the town of Vieques and historic landmarks that give you a glimpse into the island's history. There's limited transportation on the island so make sure you book a rental car beforehand. – Tripadvisor See more..
4.5 Playa Media Luna (209 reviews)
- great for non-swimmers and coconuts within reach
Friday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Beaches

This appropriately-named beach, curving like a half moon, is shallow enough to walk out 40 feet. See more..
4.5 Vieques National Wildlife Refuge (169 reviews)
- Loved them all
Friday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Nature & Wildlife Areas

Much of the land on this new wildlife reserve was once a naval bombing range. See more..
4.5 Museo El Fortín de Conde Mirasol (163 reviews)
- Great views from the Fort!
Friday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM History Museums

As of 1845, the Fuerte Conde de Mirasol Museum was one of the last military works built in the Americas by the hands of enslaved commanders of the Spanish Crown. Initially, the Spanish militia stayed in the fort and was later used as a prison until 1940. The building was restored between 1989 and 1991 to become the Museum of Art and History and the Historical Archive of Vieques. It exhibits archaeological and historical artifacts and artistic works. For details and visits call 787-741-1717. It is located in the barriada Fuerte, highway PR-989. See more..
4.5 Puerto Ferro Lighthouse (44 reviews)
- Amazing views and lovely calm walk!
Friday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings • Lookouts • Lighthouses

I have lived in Vieques for over 4 years now and this is my first visit to the Lighthouse! It was worth going for me! Although it has a fence now and you can’t get close, the views are very nice and the beach is a lovely place to visit. The currents were to rough the day we visited. Bring a small picnic and enjoy at the beach. It takes about 5-7 min drive and then 10-15 min walk and another 5 to the beach. Only recommended for people with mobility. Make sure to bring water and visit the bathroom before going there because there are no bathrooms! Our visit was in 2019 See more..
4.5 La Gran Ceiba de Vieques (40 reviews)
- Beautiful Old Tree
Points of Interest & Landmarks

Probably it's not fair of us and most people to judge this place by the tree only as it's apparently the big park that people run in and hike but most of us, tourists, stops to admire the tree and moves a long - I encourage you to sit down at least for a moment on one of the small benches or the bigger one in the back with shade and enjoy this place the way it deserves! If sit long enough or just get lucky right away you will get to see horses coming here which adds up even more magic to this beautiful place of nature. That being said, keep in mind as there is a lot of horse poo around the tree :) just watch your feet and you will be fine. TIP: people say don't come here just for the tree... it's Vieques so it's not like you are in a rush anywhere or there is a huge itinerary of things to do but I highly recommend if you are going this way to stop by at the Crab Island Rum Distillery and the Mosquito Pier - the 3 together an absolute perfect combination in this part of the island! See more..
4.5 Fish Market (20 reviews)
- Arrive at noon!
Flea & Street Markets

Reguardless of the rumors, we found the fresh fish market to open at noon during the week.. Not at 8 AM as some of the locals told us. Note... it is very hidden ... to the right of the ferry terminal, at the back of the alley that runs along the bay. You will see small boats and pelicans. Park where you can, or send someone to shop. Do not pull in the alley. Too hard to back out of. It is worth all the trouble. Lots of freshly caught fish, lobsters, conch... whatever the sea gave up that day. If they do not have what you want fresh, yesterday's catch is in the freezers. This is the ONLY place we found to get fish on the island other than in a restaurant. And you know you can cook it better than they do! It is hard to find... but so worth it! See more..
4.5 Sugar Mill Ruins (20 reviews)
- Thought-provoking for history buffs.
Friday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Points of Interest & Landmarks

The sugar mill ruins were interesting and strangely beautiful given that the structure is being consumed by the forest. I couldn't visit without thinking about the juxtaposition of a place where slaves and non-slaves provided excruciating, difficult, hard labor to create such a sweet product desired by so many (and mills owned by the wealthy, of course). The ruins are not like the ones in St. John's (USVI) in that they are not as "curated" for tourists. However, that made them more interesting in that we made our discoveries wandering through them - it added to the mystery. Anyone who is a history buff will likely find it a good site to explore. See more..
4.5 Camp Garcia (14 reviews)
- Beautiful Vieques
Military Bases & Facilities

Navy used this base to train soldiers. See more..
4.5 Playa Grande (3 reviews)
- Spectacular beach!
Friday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Beaches

Playa grande In Vieques, What a place. You need a Jeep rental to get to this place, I do not think public transportation can get you there. I did not have mobile signal either. Extensive! Big waves! You have to swim with care as the waves are pretty strong, no lifeguard, in fact there is nothing other than a pristine unspoiled and striking beach. No services, no stores, no food, no rentals. In fact I did not see any other human for miles while we were there. Lots of coconut trees, solitude, great views of the open ocean from here. Blue turquoise water as far as you can see. Majestic place. My favorite in vieques. See more..
4.5 Bioluminescent Mosquito Bay (2.699 reviews)
- DO NOT BOOK with TRAVESIAS Isleñas Tours
Friday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Bodies of Water

Watch the world’s brightest bioluminescent bay glow as you paddle a glass-bottomed kayak. Catch a ferry at the port outside the town of Ceiba to reach the quiet island of Vieques off the east coast of Puerto Rico. Vieques’ secluded mangrove bay is beautiful during the day but simply astonishing after sunset. You’ll marvel at the neon blue trail left by microorganisms whenever they are disturbed—just dip your hands in the water and watch the effects. Visit on a dark night (e.g. during a new moon) to ensure peak visibility of the phenomenon. – Tripadvisor See more..
4.5 Playa Caracas (918 reviews)
- Paradise on earth
Friday: 7:00 AM - 7:30 PM Beaches

Stunning, almost private beach I'd love to visit again sometime. we took the ferry from San Juan and spent the night on the island. I wish we had allocated more time. We visited several beaches, the tiny Museum in town, It's a Beautiful island With beautiful Horses running the island and beaches. I'm glad the US Navy was finally pushed out it's sad to know the damage they did to the island. See more..
4.5 Balneario Sun Bay (779 reviews)
- Our favorite beach we've ever been to!
Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 AM Beaches

If paradise had palm trees...they'd call it Sun Bay. See more..