The Best Spots for Watersports

Between kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, and stand-up paddleboarding, this Island has it all.

Puerto Rico’s beaches are ready to welcome you at any time of the year, thanks to the Island’s warm tropical climate. Beaches there are never off-limits, and each one has something unique to offer, depending on the type of experience you want to have during your visit.

From picture-perfect views to sailing adventures, Puerto Rico’s stunning beaches include sandy stretches perfect for lounging in the shade, catching a wave, paddling a kayak, or exploring underwater on a scuba diving or snorkeling adventure.

Whether you’re looking to catch some waves and surf all day near the west coast towns of Rincón and Aguadilla or do some serious scuba diving in Isla de Mona or Culebrita, water sports in Puerto Rico are a fun experience. Boat your way through the passages of La Parguera or the incredible blue sights of Punta Arenas in Vieques and be enchanted by Puerto Rico’s Caribbean waters. If you’re planning to stay in San Juan, you can always stand-up paddle in the Condado Lagoon for amazing views of the city.

In Puerto Rico, feeling blue takes a whole new meaning. With protected marine areas and pristine islets and cays with vibrant ocean life, several spots make snorkeling a dream-like activity during vacation. And isn’t snorkeling the ultimate tropical vacation activity? From swimming with sea turtles – and sometimes even dolphins – to admiring different reefs and playful tropical fish, the waters surrounding Puerto Rico offer unique encounters in the ocean.

Snorkeling tours in Puerto Rico are safe, so whether you are a first-timer or an experienced swimmer, you can enjoy your day underwater down on the island.

The Mona Passage

The west region of Puerto Rico is also full of colorful marine life. Off the coast of Rincón are Desecheo, Mona, and Monito, three uninhabited islands popular for snorkeling and diving. These three spots make up the famous Mona Passage known as the Galápagos of the Caribbean. These cays have crystal-clear waters that make it easy for swimmers to find their way around the colorful rocks and boulders surrounding the corals.

You’ll find vibrant sea fans and big schools of diverse fish, shrimp, and starfishes, turtles, and sometimes dolphins that will brighten your dive. You’ll see undersea canyons and caverns you can dive into or observe from above. These protected reserves can only be reached by boat, so make sure to book a trip in advance.

Culebra Beaches

Arguably the best snorkeling spot in Puerto Rico is Culebra. The offshore island is located approximately 17 miles from the mainland and boasts an impressive coral underwater wildlife.

Some of the best snorkeling in Culebra can be found right off several of the amazing beaches in Culebra. The best spots are Carlos Rosario, Tamarindo Beach, Melones Beach, Punta Soldado, and Flamenco Beach, along with off shore spots like Culebrita.

The best snorkeling is to the far right on Flamenco Beach, where the sand ends and the rocks begin (that would be the east end of the beach). This area is called "Shark Cages" (or "Muellecito", by the locals).

In addition to the best beaches for snorkeling in Puerto Rico, there are several offshore spots to explore with a boat tour. Keep in mind that Culebra is another island, and so you’ll need to get there via plane or by boat.

Escambrón Beach - San Juan

A popular snorkeling destination in San Juan is Escambrón Beach, right next to the Caribe Hilton Hotel. This beach has several rock formations that protect it from the rough surf of the Atlantic Ocean. Also, since the beach is frequented by snorkelers and scuba divers the fish that live around the shore are used to people and you can come right up close.

The publicly maintained beach in the San Juan neighborhood of Puerta de Tierra features a small crescent beach on a protected cove. On the ocean floor is a collapsed bridge that provides an excellent site for underwater exploration.

Next to the main beach is Escambron Marine park with underwater statues and structures. Manatees are even known to be seen here. Although you won’t find the variety of coral and fish that you may see in places like Culebra and Vieques, a stop at Escambron beach is a great break from the city with the best snorkeling in the area.

Rincon Snorkeling and Diving

Rincon is famous for its surfing in the winter, but in the summer those coral reefs that cause the large swells are perfect to explore. Steps beach is probably the most popular snorkeling beach in Rincon. Located within the Tres Palmas Marine Reserve, Steps Beach has a huge amount of elkhorn coral to explore. Because it’s located within a marine reserve, you won’t have to worry about boats either.

Rincon is also the jumping off point for exploring Mona Island and Desecheo Island, both uninhabited and home to fantastic reefs. If you’re wanting to explore either of these islands, a boat tour will be required as they are far off shore.

La Parguera Nature Reserve

La Parguera Nature Reserve is located on the southwest coast of Puerto Rico. The beautiful area is made up of a collection of coral reefs, mangrove islands, and small cays. Living in these waters is a rich collection of sea life such as dolphins, barracudas, and turtles. One of the three bioluminescent bays in Puerto Rico is located here as well, so make sure to add that to the list!

Although there are many places to enjoy a solo snorkeling mission in Puerto Rico, La Parguera is one of the areas that is best explored with a tour. Most of the best places to snorkel in the Marine Reserve are off the coast and only reachable by boat or kayak.

Tamarindo Beach and Carlos Rosario Beach

With rolling mountains as a backdrop and gin clear waters beckoning you in, the beaches of Tamarindo and Carlos Rosario lure scuba divers and snorkelers to the small island off Culebra, off Puerto Rico’s east coast. Both beaches are located on Culebra’s northwest coast; you can drive to Tamarindo, but you’ll need to hike in from Flamenco Beach to Carlos Rosario.

The mangrove-fringed waters and coral reefs protected within the Luis Peña Natural Reserve here shelter a kaleidoscope of marine life. And on underwater excursions you might spot sea turtles and huge groupers or find yourself finning within clouds of colorful reef fish.

You can snorkel right from the beach at Tamarindo, but certified divers make a point to head out with operators that visit some of the more than 50 dive sites around the island. It’s also best to join a guided snorkeling tour to visit Carlos Rosario Beach, in the island’s northwest corner, which can only be accessed via boat or a steep hike in from Flamenco Beach. Culebra, which is just seven miles long and two miles wide, has a good selection of small hotels, inns, and cottages where you can stay a night or longer.

For easy access to a site rich in marine life, visit Playa Carlos Rosario, a narrow beach flanked by boulders and a protruding coral reef in Culebra. The underwater visibility is usually quite good here, and the coral reef, where you can see all kinds of colorful fish and coral formations, is teeming with marine life.

Tres Palmas Marine Reserve

Facing the turbulent Atlantic, the northwest coast is a mecca for surfers lured to epic (up to 30 ft.) waves during the winter. Calmer, crystalline waters during the summer transform the region’s beaches into a snorkeling playground. One of Puerto Rico’s crown jewels, Tres Palmas Marine Reserve preserves all seven endangered coral species, as well as schools of angelfish, moray eel, striped grunt, spiny lobster, sea turtle, leatherback turtle, whale and dolphin.

Tres Palmas comprises three beaches: Step’s Beach, Dogman’s Beach and Little Malibu Beach. At Step’s Beach, thickets of the world’s healthiest formations of rare elkhorn coral provide a rich food source for myriad fish and invertebrates.

Gilligan’s Island

Shallow, gin-clear waters, healthy coral, few visitors (during the week) and magical underwater life, Gilligan’s is one of the top family-friendly snorkeling destinations in the Caribbean. With a slow-moving current and kaleidoscopic schools of tropical fish, it’s a wonderful initiation into snorkeling.

Families can rent kayaks from the marina and explore the two neighboring islets that make up Cayos de Caña Gorda, or cruise along serene mangrove channels. With no riptides, you can comfortably swim the perimeter of the island. To reach Gilligan’s, it’s a 10-minute ferry ride from Guánica, or you can kayak over from the mainland in around 30 minutes.

Vieques

The island’s biodiversity, clear waters, and Navy history make Vieques a fascinating snorkeling destination. Located off the east coast of the main island, this small island is home to the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge, protecting the wildlife that thrives here. Protected by the Vieques Wildlife Refuge, Vieques’s crystalline waters deliver some of Puerto Rico’s most enthralling and family-friendly snorkeling experiences. Vieques is known for its sightings of green sea turtles and spotted eagle rays. The island was occupied by the U.S. Navy for decades, and during that time it was virtually deserted, protecting the coral reefs from human damage.

Today, Vieques offers unforgettable snorkeling experiences, with abundant marine life including green sea turtles, hawksbill turtles, spotted eagle rays, and nurse sharks. You can also encounter artifacts left behind by the Navy, making for unique underwater photos. Here are some of the top snorkeling beaches on the island:

La Chiva (Blue Beach): Clear waters and seagrass beds full of fish
Punta Arenas: Remote feel and stunning views
Mosquito Pier: For experienced swimmers and divers

On the north coast, the former military pier of Rompeolas-Mosquito is another storied site. The pier was built in 1941 to connect Vieques with the mainland of Puerto Rico; the plan was abruptly abandoned in 1943. Today, coral-covered beams and pillars provide a haven for marine life, such as turtles, starfish, sea urchins and vibrant tropical fish.

Coffin Island – Isla Caja de Muertos

For those staying near Ponce, the stunning Coffin Island is not a thing for snorkeling enthusiasts to miss. It lies eight miles (13 km) from the coast. Thanks to the 1700s French author who observed that the shape of the island looked like a cadaver within a coffin the name has stuck. An enduring legend of it being a haunt of pirates persists.

To get out here you need to book with one of a few different day trip outfits or take the ferry from La Guancha Boardwalk. The natural reserve island includes hiking trails, incredibly beautiful beaches, a cave, and a light house. Local Pelican Beach earns the distinction of being a Blue Flag Beach.

For coral reef snorkeling it is best to go with the day trip expedition that will take you to the island’s northeastern side which is known as a good spot to swim with turtles in Puerto Rico since Coffin Island is home to a protected sea turtle population. Tour operators provide equipment but make sure you bring your own snorkel set since usually they do not have the best quality equipment.

La Cordillera Nature Reserve

It doesn’t get more pristine than La Cordillera in Fajardo. The group of nine small cays, including Icacos, Cayo Lobos, Palomino, Cayo Ratones, and others, is known for covering nearly 20 nautical miles. You can arrive by a water taxi, catamaran trip, or private charter to most of the cays and spend the day exploring its active seagrass bed.

In this vibrant ecosystem, you’ll see turtles, manatees, sea cucumbers, starfishes, juvenile fish, queen conchs, and even stingrays. You’ll also notice the variety of reefs, spanning from rocky to fiery and the endangered elkhorn reef.