Blue beach puerto rico: La Chiva Beach “Blue Beach” – Vieques, Puerto Rico

La Chiva Beach “Blue Beach” – Vieques, Puerto Rico

One of the best beaches in Vieques…consistently ranked among the best in the Caribbean

If you love taking long walks on the beach, if you fantasize about snorkeling over crystal clear water, if you want breathtaking scenery, you can’t miss visiting the amazing beach of La Chiva.  During the Navy’s presence on the island, this beach was nicknamed “Blue Beach”, the name is no longer used and locals prefer that the formal name of La Chiva is used. The waters of La Chiva Beach are pure perfection.  Starting at the west end of the La Chiva, the tones are a deeper turquoise with tones of navy blue on the horizon.  The first few stops at La Chiva are a great spot for those that want the most solitude since most beachgoers head to the other end to snorkel.

As you begin to walk to the east end of the beach, the tones get lighter, by the time you get to parking spot 15 the waters are crystal clear almost like glass on a clear day with no clouds.

West End – Playa La Chiva, Vieques, Puerto Rico

Afternoon shower just passing by… Still beautiful

La Chiva is like a canvas of blue colors, a photographers dream. The water is very clear with grass beds scattered here and there where schools of colorful fish love to play.  The waves are gentle and small even over the winter months (during normal weather conditions), perfect for small children.  Over the summer months, the water becomes clearer and calmer making snorkeling even more enjoyable.

Bring plenty of sunscreen lotion to reload every few hours, you may want to spend an entire day exploring the underwater world.  The best spots for snorkeling are along the rocky areas and near the small cay at the end of the road (pictured below).

Drive to the end of the road, you’ll be able to admire the natural beauty of the island with its abundant lush green flora and undisturbed coastline.

From the end of the road, you can access a beautiful small cay, the waters between the cay and the main island are very shallow, a popular entry for snorkelers.   We recommend you book a snorkeling tour, they’ll take you to the best spots.

Facilities at La Chiva

• The Vieques National Wildlife Refuge has built gazebos perfectly positioned embraced by lush greens and million dollar views.
• Trash Bins
• Restrooms are available at the entrance of the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge.

La Chiva Beach has been declared safe for use and many visitors have enjoyed it safely, just stay off La Chiva Island. It is prohibited to enter this area due to the risk of unexploded ordnance. Don’t let this scare you, you’ll enjoy this beach and have a wonderful time, just use common safety precautions and stay away from closed areas.  Click on the picture on right to enlarge and see the location of La Chiva Island.

Best Beaches in Vieques | Discover Puerto Rico

La Chiva beach in Vieques is often ranked as one of the best beaches in the Caribbean.

Blue skies above, warm sand below, crystalline waters ahead, and the place most likely all to yourself: you’re in Vieques.

A place that feels like a dream, La Isla Nena is the ideal destination for those seeking pristine vacations like no other. With astonishing scenery, this “sleepy island” offers breathtaking beauty in unexplored settings and is complemented by intimate, breezy experiences, almost forcing visitors to slow down and take in nature. 

The beaches in Vieques are known for providing some of the most relaxed and tranquil atmospheres you’ll find in Puerto Rico. The soft waves and uncrowded environment sets them apart from those in the mainland. With so many locations to choose from, your most challenging task will be deciding where to unwind and soak up the sun. 

Note: Some of these locations are secluded beaches where you won’t find restrooms, trashcans, or other facilities. Please be mindful and help keep the island’s natural resources clean by packing out everything you brought with you. 

Here’s a list of the best beaches in Vieques:

La Chiva beach in Vieques is often ranked as one of the best beaches in the Caribbean.

La Chiva

Often ranked as one of the best beaches in the Caribbean, you can expect different shades of blue waters and diamond-dust sand at La Chiva, also known as Blue Beach. The beach, which is lined across palm trees and rich vegetation, gets pretty busy but never feels crowded. The water, which changes shades throughout the day, is very clear, and you can see the grass beds scattered across the floor. There are some rocky areas for the more experienced snorkelers, and shallow ends if you just want to spend time bathing under the sun. There are a few gazebos on-site, as well as restrooms. While visitors can enjoy the beach, hikers are not allowed to venture into closed portions of the reserve.  

Playita Negra or Black Sand Beach

One of the most dramatic and extraordinary landscapes is Playita Negra, where the turquoise waves brush against the black-sand shore. A refreshing sight for beach lovers, the color of this beach derives from the offshore volcanic rocks. The beach is surrounded by golden cliffs, short bushes, and driftwood that make the scenery awe-inspiring. While this is not a swimming beach, due to the rip currents, this spot is perfect for hiking (about two miles long), relaxing, and enjoying the lavish natural surroundings. You can access this “secret beach” through Playa Esperanza. 

Crystal-clear, white-sand beaches abound on the island of Vieques.

Playa Esperanza and Sun Bay

These are the two most popular locations in Vieques. Families with children prefer Esperanza beach because it is located near the pier, with many places to eat close by, while Sun Bay– a few steps from Esperanza, is famous for its easy access and calm, slow waves. These beaches are great for water sports such as swimming, kayaking, or merely splashing around the water. Although widely popular, there is always a spot for you under the shade of a palm tree, and these locations never feel “too busy.” 

Pata Prieta or Secret Beach

Known as Secret Beach, the shallow, clear waters of Pata Prieta make it the best spot for rookie swimmers and inexperienced snorkelers looking for a day of fun under the sunny Vieques’ sky. The cove is located inside the island’s Wildlife Refuge, where you can spot an array of aquamarine life such as schools of colorful fishes, manta rays, and bountiful coral reefs. There are lush green bushes in the background and a few palm trees that provide shelter from the sun. Don’t forget your snorkel gear and a camera!

Playa Media Luna, one of Vieques’ most picturesque white-sand beaches.

Media Luna Beach

Another ideal beach for families with small children is Media Luna (which translates to Halfmoon beach). A protected cove past Sun Bay with calm waters and white sand, this spot is perfect for exploring marine life. The tide at Media Luna is shallow enough for you to walk about 50 feet offshore to play around schools of tropical fish. Lusciously green hills complement the scenery on both sides of the beach. Since there are no facilities on-site, this beach is mostly secluded. 

Just six miles off the coast, Vieques is home to a pristine wildlife refuge and the world’s brightest bioluminescent bay. Vieques offers breathtaking scenery, unparalleled beauty, unexplored spaces, and laid-back experiences.

Share this

Tags

Beaches & Watersports
Vieques

Recommended Articles

See All Articles

Top 10 best beaches in the world – Virtual Travelers Page – LJ

There are thousands of beautiful beaches in the world and it is almost impossible to choose the best one, because each person has his own preferences. Someone likes quiet, secluded beaches, someone – luxurious with white sand and a blue lagoon, someone – wild with cliffs and rocks. And which one will you choose?

No. 10. Fraser Island, Queensland, Australia

Fraser Island is the world’s largest sand island. It is located off the east coast of Australia, its dimensions are: length – about 120 km, width – from 7 to 23 km. The area is 1840 km2.

The dunes of the island, reaching 240 m in height, were formed over 400 years ago and now the island is the largest sand island in the world and has its own unique ecosystem. Beautiful white sand beaches stretch for more than 100 km.

In 1992, Fraser Island was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as a unique natural monument.

#9. Rendezvous Bay, Anguilla, Caribbean

Anguilla is an island in the eastern Caribbean and is a British self-governing territory. The size of this coral island is 26 km long and 5 km wide. The whole island is framed by beaches, there are about 30 in total.

Rendezvous Bay is the best beach in Anguilla. Here is white and soft sand, blue crystal clear water, palm trees, the best hotels – a paradise place.

#8. Matira Beach On Bora Bora Island, French Polynesia

Bora Bora is one of the most beautiful and romantic islands in the Pacific Ocean. The island is located in a protected lagoon, its length is 29 km.

The best place on the island is Matira Beach. A strip of white sand with palm trees and clear, clear water of the lagoon. Here you can go water skiing, snorkeling or kayaking. Hotels, restaurants and eateries are located within a five-minute walk from the beach.

#7. Lopez Mendes, Ilha Grande, Brazil

One of the cleanest and most beautiful beaches in the world. Three kilometers of white sand that crunches underfoot and turquoise clear water. There are no roads on the island, and the beach is surrounded by jungle. From Rio de Janeiro to the island – a few hours by boat. A true tropical paradise.

#6. Anse Lazio Beach, Praslin, Seychelles

A cozy, sheltered bay and incredible turquoise water make Anse Lazio beach not only the best beach in the Seychelles, but also one of the best in the world.

Snow-white sand, a cozy bay, azure clear water, trees leaning over the water, crabs running along the beach – all this is the unique beach of Anse Lazio.

#5. Pink Sand Beach, Harbor, Bahamas

An incredible pink sand beach in the Bahamas. The beach has such an unusual color due to small particles of pink corals and shells. These particles can be seen if you look at the sand closer.

There are no large tourist complexes on the island, instead of them there are small private villas. Harbor Island is small – 5 km long and 1 km wide. There are no cars here. You can go here for lovers of a calm and quiet holiday.

The sea is calm here, the coast is protected from strong waves by a coral reef. All these conditions make the beach ideal for diving and snorkelling.

#4. Sun Island, Maldives

Sun Island is one of the most beautiful and popular islands in the Maldives. White sand, blue water, bungalows on the beach – all this creates a unique atmosphere of paradise on Earth.

The most popular and interesting entertainment here is snorkeling and diving. Swimming next to reef sharks, feeding stingrays, meeting moray eels (from afar) – all this is amazing and exciting, especially for inexperienced tourists.

#3. Flamenco Beach, Culebra Island, Puerto Rico

Flamenco Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Puerto Rico. White coral sand stretches for miles along the coastline of the island. The coral reef protects the beach from strong waves. Here you will find at least 4 shades of water.

Some of the best campsites in Puerto Rico are located along the beach. Some tkrists spend several months of the year here.

#2. Turtle Island, Fiji

Turtle Island is a truly heavenly place on Earth. Clear blue waters, lush underwater scenery for diving enthusiasts, palm trees dangling over perfect sandy beaches. This island is a favorite vacation spot for celebrities.

The island became known to the whole world after the filming of the film “The Blue Lagoon”. Scuba diving, snorkeling, hiking, kayaking, surfing, sailing – and this is not a complete list of activities on Turtle Island.

#1. White Beach, Boracay, Philippines

White Beach is the most famous and longest beach in Boracay. The length of the beach is 4 km. Most of the most expensive hotels on the island are located here. The white beach is unique due to the white sand, fine as flour, and the clearest azure water.

This beach looks like paradise, just like from the Bounty advertisement. The beach is perfectly clean, it is forbidden to drink, smoke and eat food. White Beach does not belong to any of the hotels and is public, so you can walk freely on it wherever you want.

Sources:
via, via, via, via, via, via

Subscribe to updates

I’m on other social networks:

Puerto Rico’s best beaches. Flag of Puerto Rico – only side by side and together

Puerto Rico is located in the northeastern part of the Caribbean on a large island of the same name and several nearby islands from the Greater Antilles group in the Caribbean Sea. The nearest neighboring states are the American and British Virgin Islands in the east and the Dominican Republic in the west.

Puerto Rico is a Freely Associated or Freely Associated State that is partly dependent on, but not an integral part of, the United States. While sharing citizenship, currency, and defense with the United States, Puerto Rico also has its own constitution, legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The capital of the state, the city of San Juan, is located in the north of the island, in one of the best natural harbors in the Caribbean region.
Most of Puerto Rico’s islands are uninhabited or sparsely populated, the most populous being the main island, approximately 170 km long and 60 km wide, with a coastline of about 500 km. In the center of the main island is the so-called Central mountain range Cordillera Central, where the highest point of Puerto Rico is located – Mount Cerro de Punta (Cerro de Punta) with a height of 1338 m above sea level. The southern coast of the island is washed by the Caribbean Sea, and the northern coast by the Atlantic Ocean. There are more than fifty large and shallow rivers in Puerto Rico, most of which originate in the mountains of the central range. There are also seventeen lakes on the island, all of them of artificial origin. The northeastern part of the main island is occupied by the Rio Camai National Cave Park, the largest underground river flows in it and 200 caves with unusual limestone karst formations are hidden.

Nature and climate

Located almost in the heart of the Caribbean, Puerto Rico enjoys a maritime tropical climate, with almost even temperatures throughout the year in the range of + 26-28 °C. At the same time, the temperature on the coast is always several degrees higher than in the central mountainous part of the island. On the south coast, washed by the Caribbean Sea, it is usually a little warmer than on the north. When buying a tour in Puerto Rico, it is important to remember that from June to November, the Atlantic hurricane season comes to the islands, which is characterized by heat and high humidity, as well as strong hurricane-force winds that periodically hit the island.

The peak tourist season in Puerto Rico is from December to April, but July and August can also be called the high season.

Puerto Rico is an island of vibrant life! Reserves and national parks with the wild nature of the country attract here connoisseurs of eco-tourism from all over the world. The diversity of flora and fauna is great and includes almost 20 species of birds, about 250 species of plants, including orchids, many mammals and fish. As well as almost five dozen amphibians, among which there are endemic species that are found only here, for example, the Puerto Rican boa constrictor and the Coqui frog, which lives in the El Yunque rainforest.
In the western part of the southern coast of Puerto Rico, washed by the Caribbean Sea, there is a dry tropical forest Guanica. A great variety of bird species, including endemics, live in the wilds of this forest. The climatic features of this area contribute to the growth of cacti. The dry forest of Guanica is completely different from the humid tropical forest of El Yunque, located in the east of the northern coast of the island. The reason for the local dry climate is the Central Mountain Range, which separates Guanica from the northeastern part of the island, where about 2500 mm of precipitation falls annually, while in Guanica it is less than 750 mm, and in some places even less than 150 mm.

Currency exchange and banks

Although the US dollar is the official currency of Puerto Rico, sometimes you will see price tags in stores that show prices in “pesos”, the Puerto Rican dollar. If you’re planning a trip to Puerto Rico, it’s best to bring some US dollars in cash to buy souvenirs from the little shops and tips, as well as a dollar bank card. Just like in the USA, cards and traveler’s checks are universally accepted in Puerto Rico.

Customs and Immigration

Puerto Rico follows the laws and regulations of the United States. Import and export of foreign currency without a declaration is allowed in the amount of up to 10,000 US dollars or its equivalent. This also applies to travelers checks. If you are carrying gold, do not forget to declare it. Items for personal use are not subject to customs duties. In addition, you can import a block of cigarettes and up to 1 liter of hard alcohol into the country duty-free. Care must be taken when importing food products and any items of organic origin. We recommend that you check before importing whether they are allowed to be imported into the territory of Puerto Rico.

Customs control can be quite quick and hassle-free, but due to the global trend of tightening inspection rules, it may take longer. As in many countries around the world, Puerto Rico practices a random selection of passengers for more thorough screening. Anyone who arrives may be one of them, then your luggage will be subject to a closer inspection, and the officer may ask additional questions. This is usually done to curb illegal migration, so the questions will be about your plans for staying in the country and perhaps having sufficient funds to cover your expenses while traveling to Puerto Rico.

Time

Time in Puerto Rico does not change between summer and winter. It always remains in the same time zone: UTC-04:00 or AST. Moscow time is 7 hours ahead of Puerto Rico.

Visas and Consular Information

As with customs regulations, Puerto Rico’s visa regulations are similar to those in the United States. If you intend to travel to Puerto Rico, make sure you get a US visa. Our experts will help in this matter – they will fill out a questionnaire, and also sign up for an interview at the US Embassy.

Opening hours of institutions, shops and museums

Standard shop hours are from 9 am to 7 pm, however some shops are open until 9 pm before weekends. On Saturday – a shortened working day, and on Sunday only the shops of the port area, where cruise ships call, as well as souvenir shops and small shops, are open.

Transport

Unfortunately, there is no direct flight between Russia and Puerto Rico. To get to Puerto Rico from Moscow, we recommend taking flights via New York. Puerto Rico International Airport – Luis Munoz Marin (Aeropuerto Internacional Luis Munoz Marin) receives daily flights from the United States, and also connects with Caribbean countries such as Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Guadeloupe, Saint Martin.

Intercity bus service is virtually non-existent in Puerto Rico. Local residents use mostly private vehicles. As a result, the island has a well-developed network of roads and expressways. Tourists can use a taxi service in San Juan or rent a car.
Puerto Rico Seaport receives the largest cruise liners every day and is one of the largest ports in the world.

Phone codes and communication

Which Puerto Rico beach is best for you? Puerto Rico’s large coastline stretches for more than 270 miles and is replete with a variety of beaches and water activities. But which beach is the best for snorkeling? Which beach is the cleanest? Which beach is the best for walking? Which beach is best for water sports?

Puerto Rico’s best private beach for a secluded getaway

Puerto Rico’s coastline has many secluded beaches where you can find yourself completely alone. On the island of Culebra, this is Resaca Beach, remote from tourist routes and usually deserted.

West of San Juan, in Manati, is the beach Mar Chiquita (Mar Chiquita or Little Sea)
. Situated in the shape of a crescent, this picturesque beach is protected by rocks from strong winds and ocean currents.

Not far from the Guánica Dry Forest Biosphere Reserve is a two-mile stretch of beach called Ballenas Bay
, which is more frequented by sea turtles than by humans. Not far from it is an isolated rocky beach Caña Gorda
.

If you sail from Fajardo, you can visit the beach on the idyllic Icacos sandbar.

Puerto Rico’s best surf beaches

San Juan’s 9 best surf spots0005 Punta Las Marias beach in Ocean Park
. In nearby Manati
The most popular among surfers is Los Tubos beach and La Pared beach in Luquilla. However, Puerto Rico’s best beaches for surfing
are located on the west coast of the island in the tourist region of Porta del Sol and its capital, Rincon. The main surfing center here is Maria’s Beach
, Punta Higuero, Puntas Beach and Spanish Wall Beach are also very popular. In the rest of the Porta del Sol region, Surfer’s Beach, Wilderness, Playa Crash Boat, Shacks Beach and Jobos Beach are popular among surfers.

The best beaches in Puerto Rico for scuba diving

On the coast of Vieques Island
has a number of beaches that are great for diving, the best of which are Blue Beach and Playa Esperanza
. On the island of Culebra, the best beach for underwater sports is Carlos Rosario, the West Beach is also rich in the underwater world on the island, as well as the south coast of the island in the Culebra reef area. Playa Shacks is famous for its “Blue Hole” for snorkeling.

The cleanest beaches in Puerto Rico

According to the international volunteer program The Blue Flag, the best beaches in Puerto Rico in terms of water quality are:

– El Escambron
in San Juan;

– Carolina Beach
in Carolina;

– Flamenco Beach
on Culebra Island;

– Seven Seas Beach
in the city of Fajardo;

– Punta Salinas
in Toa Baha.

The best beaches in Puerto Rico for excursions, walks and active beach holidays

If you like to be the center of attention and want to see something interesting, the best beaches are along the strip in Isla Verde and Condado. Sun Bay Beach in Vieques
is a true center for beach lovers. And the famous Flamenco Beach is one of the main reasons to visit Culebra Island
. Sandy Beach in Rikon
is perfect for an active beach holiday. Not far from Fajardo is the picturesque island resort of Palomino,
which is part of the El Conquistador Hotel and Golden Door Spa.

Puerto Rico beaches with attractions

Some Puerto Rico beaches are known for specific things. So on Puntas Beach and Domes Beach
in winter you can watch whales. In Ricon at Antonio Beach and in Vieques at Playa Cofi
you can see smooth rocks and sea glass resulting from natural erosion. The secluded beach of Puerto Hermina in Quebradillas once served as a cove for smugglers and pirates and may still hold pirate treasures.

Standard of living

Puerto Rico has a fairly high standard of living compared to most other Caribbean islands, but it is still significantly lower than even the poorest US states. Unemployment is quite high, so many Puerto Ricans try to find work in the United States, while the rest are most often engaged in various types of temporary earnings.

Security

The security situation here is rather ambiguous. On the one hand, the overall level of violent crime here is quite low, and the areas frequented by tourists are quite safe and are under the protection of special police units. However, the poor areas of most large cities are noticeably criminalized and pose a certain danger to foreign tourists.

Jewelry, expensive photo and video equipment, and the thickness of a wallet should not be displayed openly. Crowded areas should be avoided, as such places usually have a huge number of pickpockets. It is also not recommended to exchange money on the streets – the risk of facing fraud or outright robbery is extremely high. You should avoid visiting deserted shores alone and especially at night.

If you ask a Puerto Rican how to get to a particular place, the most common response is “follow me.” In most cases, such an escort has sincere intentions to take the tourist to the place he needs, but it should be borne in mind that in some cases this way you can get to the wrong place at all, or even be robbed. You should be especially careful with such guides at night and it is highly undesirable for women and individual travelers. When traveling by car, you should park in well-lit areas and take all valuables from the car with you.

Nudism

Nudism in public places is prohibited in Puerto Rico.

Electricity

Mains voltage is 110 V, 60 Hz (some hotels provide 220 V). Plugs are usually American style with two flat pins.

Units of measure

The system of measures and weights is metric, but in many retail outlets in tourist areas, elements of the imperial system of measurement are often used on a par with it.