Spanish Virgin Islands | Culebra and Vieques
Less than 15 miles west of St. Thomas lie two less known “virgins”, the islands of Culebra and Vieques. These islands, although US territories, do not belong to the US Virgin Islands but rather to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, another US territory.
The islands have beautiful beaches and anchorages as well as an eclectic mix of American mainlanders, spanish speaking locals, and Puerto Ricans that own several bed/breakfast, hostels, cafes, restaurants, or are just plain tourists. The waters are very clean and clear allowing for year round almost perfect snorkeling or diving. Anchorages abound, so a lone boat is typical on any beach.
One of the most impressive sites on these islands is the bioluminescent bay located in Vieques. Mosquito Bay, located in southern Vieques, is one of only a handful of places in the whole world where the pyrodimium bahamense dinoflagellate exists in balance with nature to create a very bright bioluminescent effect. Make sure not to miss this site on your next trip here!
Click here to learn more about the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge.
Click here for more information about Mosquito Bay.
Click here for information about Culebra and Vieques.