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Culebra, Puerto Rico: Last of the Spanish Virgin Islands

Culebra, Puerto Rico is the perfect Caribbean getaway to explore beautiful white sand beaches, snorkel gorgeous coral reefs, and lounge in bountiful sunshine. Culebra is a small island, measuring 7 miles by 3 miles at its extremes, located about 17 miles east of Puerto Rico and 12 miles west of St. Thomas.

Culebra's colorful past includes a period during the 18th century when one of the island's many bays, Ensenada Honda, was the legendary refuge of some of the Caribbean's most infamous pirates. The US took possession of Culebra in 1898 after the Spanish-American war. Today, it is best known for its many excellent snorkeling and diving beaches and as a nesting ground for many endangered birds and sea turtles.

Culebra is accessible either by ferry from Fajardo, Puerto Rico, or by small plane from Puerto Rico or St. Thomas. Once on the island, the main type of transportation is Jeep or SUV, as they are best suited for the rolling terrain and steep roads.

Culebra boasts many wonderful beaches for swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, and surfing. Flamenco Beach is the most popular and is best known for sparkling, soft white sand and crystal clear water. If you prefer a quieter beach, Zoni Beach on the northeast side of the island is a peaceful public beach, and Punta Solado is a pebble beach where you can enjoy great swimming and snorkeling. Brava Beach and Resaca Beach are well-known surfing locations.

Most of Culebra is circled by reefs of both soft and hard corals. Popular snorkeling beaches include Carlos Rosario Beach, Tamarindo Beach, and Mosquito Beach. Culebra boasts over 50 dive sites, including cave dives, a natural tunnel, wall dives, a shipwreck dive (The Wit Power), and endless coral reefs. Great diving can also be found at Carlos Rosario Beach and Melones Beach.

One quarter of the island, along with 22 smaller, nearby islands, make up the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge, first established in 1909 as a bird refuge, is one of the oldest in the US. In addition to the 85 species of wild birds that live and nest there, there are also many species of endangered sea turtles.

Hawksbill and leatherback turtles nest on Culebra's beaches, while the adjacent sea grass beds provide food and shelter for green sea turtles. In order to protect hatching turtles, visitors should avoid Resaca, Brava, Zoni or other turtle beaches from late February to late July.

Most of the wildlife refuge is off limits to the public, with the exception of the small islands of Cayo Luis Pena and Isla Culebrita. Visitors can hire a guide to take them by small craft to these islands, where the surrounding reefs are excellent for snorkeling. Culebrita Lighthouse, built by in the mid 1800's, is on the National Register of Historical Monuments of the United States. Damaged by hurricanes Hugo and Marilyn, vandalized, and neglected for years, private groups are currently raising funds to restore and repair this landmark.

Culebra has so far escaped much of the overdevelopment that has occurred in many other areas of the Caribbean. Many of the visitors come here looking for quiet and great opportunities for diving, hiking and doing absolutely nothing. If you're looking for the ideal vacation destination for getting away from just about everything...come to Culebra!