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The best beaches for snorkeling in Puerto Rico

Ordered by the Snorkel profile · 20 beaches

The best snorkeling in Puerto Rico is from the shore of Culebra and its cays, where reefs, sea turtles and clear water are a few fins from the sand. Vieques, the cays off Fajardo and a handful of beaches on the main island, especially on the west coast, complete the list.

The order comes from five ratings: the snorkeling itself, marine life, water clarity, how calm the sea usually is and how easy it is to get in. Conditions change with the season: from November to March the winter swell can close the north and west coasts, while the east, the south and the islands are more reliable. Wear reef-safe sunscreen and never stand on the coral.

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  1. 1

    Playa Carlos Rosario

    91/100
    CulebraVerified: Checked in person by 787Map: scores and details are confirmed.

    Secluded beach reached by a trail from Flamenco, with a long reef wall close to shore. Often considered the best shore snorkeling in Culebra.

    • Marine life
    • Snorkel
    • Calm waters
  2. 2

    Punta Soldado

    82/100
    CulebraNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.

    Rocky beach at the southern tip of Culebra, at the end of a rough road. One of the island's best shore snorkels, with healthy coral close to shore.

    • Marine life
    • Snorkel
    • Calm waters
  3. 3

    Cayo Luis Peña

    80/100
    CulebraNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.

    Uninhabited cay west of Culebra, a nature reserve with small beaches and excellent reef. Reached by water taxi or kayak.

    • Marine life
    • Snorkel
    • Calm waters
  4. 4

    Playa Tamarindo

    80/100
    CulebraVerified: Checked in person by 787Map: scores and details are confirmed.

    Small, rocky beach inside the Luis Peña Channel Natural Reserve, known for the seagrass beds where sea turtles feed. One of the easiest places in Puerto Rico to snorkel with turtles.

    • Marine life
    • Snorkel
    • Calm waters
  5. 5

    Playa Tortuga (Culebrita)

    80/100
    CulebraNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.

    Main beach of Culebrita, a small island off Culebra in the wildlife refuge. Turtles feed in the bay, and nearby are tide pools known as "the jacuzzis" and an old lighthouse.

    • Marine life
    • Snorkel
    • Calm waters
  6. 6

    Playa La Chiva (Blue Beach)

    77/100
    ViequesNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.

    Long beach inside the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge, with very clear water and a small cay offshore. Its reefs offer some of the best snorkeling in Vieques.

    • Marine life
    • Snorkel
    • Calm waters
  7. 7

    Balneario Crash Boat

    73/100
    Aguadilla · West coastNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.

    Lively public beach in Aguadilla, famous for its old pier where locals jump into deep, very clear water. Snorkeling around the pier pilings reveals plenty of fish.

    • Marine life
    • Snorkel
    • Calm waters
  8. 8

    Cayo Icacos

    73/100
    Fajardo · East coastNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.

    White-sand cay off Fajardo, part of the La Cordillera nature reserve, with turquoise water and reef nearby. It is the classic stop for catamaran trips and water taxis.

    • Marine life
    • Snorkel
    • Calm waters
  9. 9

    Playa Pelícano (Caja de Muertos)

    73/100
    Ponce · South coastNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.

    Main beach of Caja de Muertos, a nature reserve island off Ponce reached by ferry. Crystal-clear water, an underwater snorkeling trail and a hike up to the historic lighthouse.

    • Marine life
    • Snorkel
    • Calm waters
  10. 10

    Playa Sardinera (Isla de Mona)

    73/100
    Mayagüez · West coastNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.

    Main beach of Isla de Mona, a remote nature reserve between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Exceptionally clear water, reefs and almost no visitors; reaching it is an expedition.

    • Marine life
    • Snorkel
    • Calm waters
  11. 11

    Steps Beach (Tres Palmas)

    73/100
    Rincón · West coastVerified: Checked in person by 787Map: scores and details are confirmed.

    Part of the Tres Palmas Marine Reserve in Rincón, named after the concrete steps that sit on the sand. In summer its shallow reef offers excellent snorkeling; in winter it becomes a big-wave surf spot.

    • Marine life
    • Snorkel
    • Calm waters
  12. 12

    Gilligan's Island (Cayo Aurora)

    68/100
    Guánica · South coastNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.

    Mangrove cay in the Guánica Biosphere Reserve, reached by a short boat ride from the mainland. Shallow, calm and clear channels make it great for easy snorkeling and for families.

    • Marine life
    • Snorkel
    • Calm waters
  13. 13

    Playa Larga (Culebra)

    68/100
    CulebraNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.

    Beach on the east side of Culebra reached by a short trail from the road. Rocky entry, but with good reef and marine life.

    • Marine life
    • Snorkel
    • Calm waters
  14. 14

    Playa Melones

    68/100
    CulebraNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.

    Rocky beach close to Dewey, Culebra's town, with good snorkeling along the rocks and sunsets over Luis Peña. Little sand, but easy to reach.

    • Marine life
    • Snorkel
    • Calm waters
  15. 15

    Playa Caracas (Red Beach)

    66/100
    ViequesNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.

    Beautiful beach in the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge, on former Navy lands. Calm turquoise water, gazebos for shade and soft sand.

    • Marine life
    • Snorkel
    • Calm waters
  16. 16

    Playa Escondida (Fajardo)

    66/100
    Fajardo · East coastNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.

    Secluded beach in Fajardo reached by a 15–20 minute walk from Seven Seas. Calm water, a nearby reef and a natural setting inside the Northeast Ecological Corridor.

    • Marine life
    • Snorkel
    • Calm waters
  17. 17

    Playa Rompeolas (Aguadilla)

    66/100
    Aguadilla · West coastNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.

    Small beach next to the breakwater in downtown Aguadilla. The rocks shelter the water and attract fish, and sea turtles are often seen feeding nearby.

    • Marine life
    • Snorkel
    • Calm waters
  18. 18

    Playa Uvero (Isla de Mona)

    66/100
    Mayagüez · West coastNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.

    Remote beach on the south coast of Isla de Mona, with a camping area and very clear water. Like the rest of the island, it is only reachable on an organized trip with a permit.

    • Marine life
    • Snorkel
    • Calm waters
  19. 19

    Playa Buyé

    64/100
    Cabo Rojo · West coastVerified: Checked in person by 787Map: scores and details are confirmed.

    Calm, clear beach in Cabo Rojo, popular with families. Snorkeling over the rocks at both ends.

    • Marine life
    • Snorkel
    • Calm waters
  20. 20

    Playa Flamenco

    64/100
    CulebraNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.

    Iconic white-sand crescent on Culebra with turquoise, usually calm water. Snorkeling is best along the rocky edges and around the old army tanks at the western end.

    • Marine life
    • Snorkel
    • Calm waters

How this ranking is made

Every place has a score from 1 to 5 for each criterion, following a public rubric, and the score out of 100 combines them with the weights of the profile. Most scores are estimates from public sources; places marked “Verified” have been checked in person.

Read the methodology