Playa Tamarindo

Culebra

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Snorkeling is the thing here; the beach shares the fish-filled waters of the Luis Peña Channel Natural Reserve, making it a popular spot for independent travelers as well as organized tour groups. This often-overlooked beach is not as flashy and fabulous-looking as others, but offers a good combination of sun and shade, gentle currents and lots of underwater life. Head to the extreme right or left of the beach for the easiest access to the colorful underwater life.

The marine reserve protects the rich and shallow waters between Culebra and Cayo Luis Peña. The beach is accessible by paved road; head toward Playa Flamenco and turn west off Hwy 251 about halfway around the like-named lagoon.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

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    Playa Flamenco

    0.71 MILES

    Stretching for a mile around a sheltered, horseshoe-shaped bay, Playa Flamenco (Flamenco Beach) is not only one of Culebra’s best beaches, it also makes a…

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    Isla Culebrita

    5.89 MILES

    If you need a reason to hire a water taxi, Isla Culebrita (Culebrita Island) is it. This small island, just east of Playa Zoni, is part of the national…

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    Bahía Mosquito

    17.1 MILES

    Locals claim that the magnificent Bahía Mosquito (Mosquito Bay), a designated wildlife preserve located on the island of Vieques, about 2 miles east of…

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    Cabezas de San Juan Reserva Natural

    20.91 MILES

    A nodule of land on Puerto Rico’s northeast tip, this Para La Naturaleza–run reserve protects the Laguna Grande bioluminescent bay, rare flora and fauna,…

  • Playa Carlos Rosario

    Playa Carlos Rosario

    0.94 MILES

    This remote thin, white-sand beach has one of the best snorkeling areas in Puerto Rico thanks to a barrier reef that almost encloses the beach's waters;…

  • Culebra National Wildlife Refuge

    Culebra National Wildlife Refuge

    1.78 MILES

    More than 20% of Culebra is part of a spectacular national wildlife refuge, which was signed into law more than 100 years ago. Most of it lies along the…

  • Playa Zoni beach on a sunny day in Culebra, Puerto Rico.

    Playa Zoni

    4.03 MILES

    Head to the eastern end of the island and you’ll eventually run out of road at Playa Zoni. Many locals think this is a better beach than Flamenco and it's…

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    Magens Bay

    26.12 MILES

    The sugary mile that fringes Magens Bay, 3 miles north of Charlotte Amalie, makes almost every travel publication’s list of beautiful beaches. The seas…

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Nearby Culebra attractions

1. Playa Flamenco

0.71 MILES

Stretching for a mile around a sheltered, horseshoe-shaped bay, Playa Flamenco (Flamenco Beach) is not only one of Culebra’s best beaches, it also makes a…

2. Playa Carlos Rosario

0.94 MILES

This remote thin, white-sand beach has one of the best snorkeling areas in Puerto Rico thanks to a barrier reef that almost encloses the beach's waters;…

3. Playa Melones

1.15 MILES

This is the closest beach to Dewey; a tiny strip of sand with some shade trees and a smattering of picnic tables and a good spot to catch a sunset. The…

4. Playa Resaca

1.42 MILES

A resaca is an undertow and a metaphor for a hangover, an allusion to the state of the water perhaps, or the way you'll feel after climbing up and down…

5. Culebra National Wildlife Refuge

1.78 MILES

More than 20% of Culebra is part of a spectacular national wildlife refuge, which was signed into law more than 100 years ago. Most of it lies along the…

6. Museo Histórico de Culebra

2.33 MILES

Housed in the Navy's former munitions warehouse (El Polvorín), this compact museum is jam-packed with interesting displays on the history of the island,…

7. Playa Brava

2.4 MILES

It's beauty lies in its isolation; with no road you have to hike about 30 minutes along a little-used trail that is often overgrown with sea grape and low…

8. Punta Soldado

3.47 MILES

On the southwestern tip of the island, Punta Soldado has a rocky beach perfect for exploring. The water is calm and clear and filled with healthy coral,…