Vieques Beaches

Located in the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge, Blue Beach is also known under the name La Chiva Beach. The 'Blue Beach' doesn't refer to the waters here, even though they are a perfect shade of turquoise; the name was actually created by the United States Navy, which once used the island as a bombing range. Some of the beaches on Vieques have therefore retained their military-style names, and Blue Beach is one of several examples. Offering a lot of soft, sugary sand for sunbathing and crystal clear waters that are just the right depth for swimming and snorkeling, Blue Beach is one of the prettiest spots at Vieques.

Formed in the shape of a crescent moon, Media Luna is undoubtedly one of the best beaches in Vieques, and as soon as you step foot on this beach's soft, sugary sands and take a look at the view, you'll understand why. Many tourists who come to this beach end up returning time and time again in the future because it really is just that gorgeous. Media Luna brings together everything you could want from a Caribbean beach in one single location: white sands, turquoise waters, and a lot of space for all to enjoy. There really are no flaws to this beach whatsoever, and it's an ideal place to spend a full day getting a tan and enjoying the warm, bath-like waters washing over you.

This beach has proven exceptionally popular with photographers over the years and has even been used as a photoshoot site for high profile fashion brands. Playa Caracas Beach is located over in the Wildlife Refuge side of the beach and is popular with both locals and travelers. It's a great beach for families with children due to the very safe and gentle nature of the waters here. The sand is just right for sitting around and enjoying a picnic too, but the vegetation at this beach doesn't provide much shade so you might want to bring an umbrella along.

When we think about Caribbean beaches, our mind's eye conjures up images of shimmering turquoise waters and white sands, so the idea of a black sand beach on a Caribbean island seems quite strange. However, Vieques is home to Playa Negrita, one of the few black sand beaches in the region. The sands here are very dark, but remain surprisingly soft to the touch and provide a very special aesthetic that stands out when compared to the white sand beaches of Vieques and Puerto Rico. This is a nice beach for couples to walk along at the water's edge, feeling the waves wash over their toes and admiring the breathtaking views in every direction.

Most of the best Vieques beaches are found on the southern side of the island, but if you want to head up to the northern part of Vieques in search of a super beach, Punta Arenas might be your best shot. Located on the northwest coast and surrounded by a lot of lush palm trees and thick tropical vegetation, Punta Arenas feels just like a private island. It's a big hit with nature lovers and it can be a lot of fun to walk around this beach and admire the greenery on one side and the calm blue waters on the other. Snorkeling and swimming are a couple of the most popular activities to enjoy at this Vieques beach.