CULEBRA AND CULEBRITA
Culebra and Culebrita are part of what are called the Spanish Virgin Islands. They sit in-between the main island of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (St Thomas, etc). This is where Puerto Ricans go when they have the time and the means. The owners of this website can often be found in Culebrita! Put simply, it is the pretty part of the territory and a favorite for locals and tourists alike.
Departure Port
Fajardo – Puerto Del Rey is the name of the marina that is the biggest and nicest in all of Puerto Rico. Most of the big boats are there. Plus, it is on the east coast of Puerto Rico which is where you want to depart from to reach other islands. There aren’t islands north of Puerto Rico and the western islands are just too far away. It is easier to drive or take a car to Fajardo and then take a boat to the islands than it would be to take a boat to the islands from San Juan.
Is this right for you?
It’ll take 45 minutes to an hour to drive to Fajardo, by car, from San Juan, about the same amount of time to get to Culebra or Culebrita (little Culebra) by boat from Fajardo. It is an all-day event but it will be one heck of a great day.
Most of the boats can accommodate up to 12 guests. That number is set by coast guard regulations, not the size of the boat. If you are more than that, you may want to consider getting two boats.
If you want to visit another island that is closer and save a little time, choose another destination. There are other great islands that are within a 15-minute boat ride from Puerto Del Rey. They aren’t Culebra but they are still great. Perhaps consider Icacos or Palomino, if this applies to you.
What is there to do there?
Culebra
Culebra – Culebra has many nice beaches including Flamenco beach which is regularly listed as one of the top 10 if not top 3 beaches in the world. There are restaurants and shops as well but you will be going by private charter so anchoring off of one of the many incredible beaches and letting the crew serve you food and drinks is the way to go! Note that most of the bigger boats can’t dock at Culebra because there isn’t a large public dock but if you want to walk into the town, any boat 42 feet or less will be able to dock and some of the bigger boats have tenders which can take you to the dock. Culebra has many beautiful snorkeling spots, as well.
Culebrita
Culebrita is THE SPOT to go to if you can go to any beach, in our humble opinion. This is where the locals could go if they could go anywhere in Puerto Rico. It’s Puerto Rico’s furthest island, off the east coast of the bigger Culebra. It’s a national park with excellent snorkeling and even hiking. Your day will most likely be spent hanging out on the boat or playing on rafts or water toys near the boat.
Which hours/time frame?
You need a full day if you want to go to Culebra or Culebrita. A half day is not an option.
Which boats are best for this destination?
Any of the boats 30 feet and bigger can get you to Culebra and 40 feet and bigger for Culebrita.
