Playa zoni culebra puerto rico: Zoni Beach, Culebra, Puerto Rico – 2021 Beach Guide

Zoni Beach, Culebra, Puerto Rico – 2021 Beach Guide

Zoni Beach…a wide, long, living canvas with dazzling shades of blues, like no other beach under the Puerto Rican flag.  From your lounge chair, you can enjoy views of the archipelago of Culebra, the islands of St. Thomas and Tortola in the distance.  Bring your favorite book, take a walk and claim a shaded spot under a leaning palm tree and relax to the sounds of the surf without crowds even on a busy day.

Zoni Beach is the second most popular beach in Culebra, an option for beach lovers wanting a more quiet and secluded feel than Flamenco.  Zoni, called Playa Soni by locals is best when the tide is low and the water is calm from late spring until early fall.  In contrast with Flamenco, there are no facilities at Zoni Beach.  Bring everything you will need at the beach, be sure to bring enough sunblock, water, and snacks to keep you comfortable.

If you love taking long walks on the beach…  Playa Soni ought to be on your vacation list.   Zoni Beach is perfect for visitors seeking a quiet beach with easy access.  During your walk, you’ll get to appreciate just about every shade of Caribbean blue.  You’ll hear the singing of birds as they fly above dancing to the cool salty breeze.  Zoni Beach is great for beachcombing with little treasures from the sea washing onshore.  Certain areas of the beach are rocky, so bring beach shoes for the most comfortable experience.

On your way to Zoni Beach, be sure to stop at the Museo El Polvorin to learn about the history of Culebra.  The drive to Zoni is very scenic and relaxing; you’ll drive along Ensenada Bay, enjoy views of the coastline, see the island of Culebrita, the main island of Puerto Rico, and St. Thomas in the distance.

The South Side of Zoni Beach

If you walk towards the south side of Playa Soni, you’ll find cozy spots under leaning palm trees and sea grapevines where you can hang a hammock for that perfect dream tropical experience.   The beach area is more narrow on the right side but feels more secluded and private.  Laying under the shade of a leaning palm tree with no one around…it doesn’t get any more dreamy and romantic than this.

The surf gently washes ashore and invites you to go for a quick dip before continuing exploring this romantic beach.  The south side has the best spots for bathing and swimming.  At the end of the beach, you’ll find beautiful rock formations, crystal clear waters and the best vantage point to admire the breathtaking beauty of this one of a kind beach.

If you want to get in the water and swim a little, this spot is the best.  Keep an eye on your children at all times, the waves are playful in the summertime, but in the winter they get rougher and may not be safe to swim.   No worries, there are plenty of beaches in Culebra that are great for swimming and snorkeling all year round.

The North Side of Zoni Beach

The north side of Zoni Beach has a wider beach.  In the summer months, you may find families playing beach volleyball and other beach sports on the sand.  Beach shoes are recommended, various areas on the beach and underwater have a rocky bottom.

At the end of Zoni, sit on a rock and enjoy breathtaking views of the entire length of the beach and the Culebra archipelago.  Just a few more steps and you’ll be at Tortola Beach. The color of the water tempts you to get in, but be careful, it gets deep very quickly and there may be dangerous undercurrents.

Zoni Beach… A Turtle Nesting Site

Zoni Beach / Playa Soni is a Leatherback and Hawksbill turtle nesting site during the months of April through June.  Volunteers who find turtle sites will mark them as you see below. Please refrain from walking on/around the areas.  If you happen to see any sea turtles or signs of nests on the sand, please do not touch or disturb them.

Please Note:  There are no lifeguards in this area or at Zoni Beach, everything you do here is at your own risk.  

We hope you enjoyed our online tour of Zoni Beach in Culebra, one of the islands of Puerto Rico.

Zoni Beach

One of the most amazing beach experiences you will have in Culebra is visiting Zoní Beach. Not only is it a gorgeous beach, but the drive there is full of surprises. Keep in mind that Zoní is on the Northeastern coast of  Culebra and it’s a 15 to 20-minute drive from Dewey, so you will need a bike or a car (public cars will take you  there, but you have to make arrangements beforehand). If you’re driving, slow down or you’ll miss some of  Culebra’s best sights and attractions.

On your way, stop by the Plaza Artesanal. You can enjoy the calmness and the view of Ensenada Honda, perfect for meditation or yoga. Afterwards, stop by the historic museum El Polvorín (open most Saturdays and Sundays) and get acquainted with Culebra’s history. Built  in 1905 by the US Navy, the museum houses pictures and documents  from the Navy’s occupation of Culebra, plus taíno archeological  artifacts. After learning Culebra’s history, enjoy the view from the road to Zoní Beach. Don’t forget to look out for the National Wildlife Refuge  (the road literally passes through it), and enjoy Culebra’s nature at its  best. While going up on the hills, a spectacular view of St. Thomas and Culebrita awaits you.

Zoní Beach is as beautiful as Flamenco Beach in its white sands and clear waters. As opposed to Flamenco, it’s less populated, therefore peaceful. On the downside, it has no amenities, so you should pack some snacks  and beverages with you if you’re planning to spend a whole day there.  Remember to take your trash with you. Although there are trash bins at  the entrance of the beach, the garbage trucks have a hard time getting  there so bring a small trash bag and dispose of it once you’re near Dewey.

Zoní offers different beach experiences for every visitor. If you enter the beach and go left, you’ll find yourself in large open area where you can sunbathe, play beach volleyball, soccer or beach tennis. If you go right, you’ll  find that the shore is usually shorter but you get the advantage of natural caves made up from the sea grape vines so you can find a spot of shade. If you are traveling with children, it is very important that you go in the water with them. Zoní’s water is deeper  than Flamenco’s and youcan expect some waves, especially in the winter months.

While on the beach,
be on the lookout for turtle nesting sites. Zoní is home to nesting
areas for Leatherback and Hawksbill turtles. Although the nesting period
is between April and June, you should always keep an eye out for
cordoned areas with nesting  signs. If you see one of these areas,
please do not walk over it or play around it. The sea turtles are an
important  part of the area’s ecosystem.

Zoní is one of Culebra’s most quieter and beautiful beaches. It is an obvious alternative for people who want to  get away from it all and enjoy a relaxing day at the beach. On our next issue, we will review Punta Soldado, one of  the hottest snorkeling spots in Culebra.