Mention the Virgin Islands, and most people think of the United States Virgin Islands or the British Virgin Islands. However, just 15-20 mil...
Mention the Virgin Islands, and most people think of the United States Virgin Islands or the British Virgin Islands. However, just 15-20 miles from these islands, and just 6 miles east of Puerto Rico, are the Spanish Virgin Islands, also known as the “Islas del Pasaje”.
Ceded to the United States in 1898, this area is made up of the islands of Culebra and Vieques along with the surrounding islets and cays. The Spanish Virgin Islands has always been a well-kept secret, even in the days of Bluebeard and other famous pirates who used the islands to hide.
The fact that the Marines and the US Navy. USA Using the islands for bombing until 2003 also kept land developers, commercialism, and a large number of sailing ships at bay. The result is pristine and virgin islands, with wide deserted white sand beaches; Crystal clear turquoise blue waters and intact and healthy reefs teeming with fish, corals and crustaceans. There are hills to climb and explore; almost empty moorings, and the natural charm of the British Virgin Islands thirty-five years ago. If you are looking for a somewhat remote, pure paradise for your next vacation aboard a sailboat, the Spanish Virgin Islands is your answer!
The Spanish Virgin Islands can be easily reached from the east coast of Puerto Rico, outside the city of Fajardo, where your sailboat will be docked. Despite the fact that Puerto Rico is a community in the United States, its strong Spanish heritage has remained. Regardless of whether you are sailing or have a crewed charter, it is worth taking a few days before or after your charter to explore the island. Three highlights that should not be missed are Old San Juan, El Yunque rain forest and the Cuevas del RÃo Camuy Park. Stroll through the seven square block area known as “Old San Juan”, and it is easy to see why it is considered one of the best preserved treasures of Spanish colonial architecture. The narrow, steep brick cobblestone streets are lined with some of the oldest buildings in the Western Hemisphere. Its bright pastel colored facades and wrought iron balconies are a delight. With its Spanish-style courtyards, antique shops, and art galleries, the influence of the old world is easily appreciated. Southeast of San Juan, the Caribbean National Forest, known as “El Yunque”, covers 28,000 acres and rises 3,500 feet above sea level. The only tropical forest in the US Forest System. In the USA, El Yunque is home to more than 225 species of native trees. There are 50 types of orchids, a wealth of rare flora and fauna, as well as numerous waterfalls. There are several miles of well marked trails (many paved) to explore. It is a natural wonder that you will not soon forget. To the northwest of San Juan is the Camuy River Cave Park. It is the third largest underground cave system in the world. A two-hour tour allows you to explore the 268 acres of tunnels, sinks, stalagmites, stalactites, and underground rivers. While on the mainland, Puerto Rico has many excellent sites. Your true sailing charter adventure begins when you explore the islands known as the Spanish Virgins.
Departing from Fajardo and navigating the Vieques Sound, Isla Palominos is a great introduction to this area. This is a gem of a tropical island. During the day, the reef on the north coast is a great place to dive. At night, Isla Palominos is the perfect place to watch the sunset over the El Yunque rain forest and dine on the fresh or bonito tuna that you caught fishing in the sound. The next place to explore is Cayo Luis Peña, just off the island of Culebra. This two mile long uninhabited wildlife refuge has numerous hiking trails and spectacular secluded beaches. For the sailing charterer looking for solitude, this is the place. If you have a boat fast enough and conditions are light, the anchorage is a good place to launch snorkeling or diving expeditions to the reefs of Culebra, including Las Hermanas and Cayo Yerba. Puerto Rico’s. The lobster season lasts all year, so your next meal can be found under a coral ledge. This anchorage also offers a majestic sunset view of the El Yunque rain forest. Imagine yourself sitting in the cockpit of your sailing ship at dusk dining on your own cool catch with this amazing view! To the east of Cayo, Luis Peña is Isla de Culebra is an unspoiled beauty of 11 square miles of an island. Drawn by its seclusion, its spectacular miles and miles of stunning beaches, is the picturesque town of Dewey.
The diving and snorkeling sites are possibly some of the best in the Caribbean! This is a perfect destination to spend a few days on your sailing charter vacation. You will have no choice but to enjoy the natural beauty of this island. Home to only about 2,000 residents, who live strictly for “island time,” this island has no resorts or nightclubs to entertain you. The quiet village of Dewey is made up of a wide variety of two-story wooden signs and a handful of bars and restaurants, whose owners may or may not choose to open them on any given day. Since 1909, the entire coast and one-third of the interior have been designated as the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge, administered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. USA These protected lands are home to endangered sea turtles, including the leatherback sea turtle, and some 50,000 seabirds. There are three paths in Culebra, they all lead to a beach. The most famous and perhaps the most spectacular in the entire Caribbean is Playa Flamenco. This generally deserted, wide and smooth beach is made up of white sand as fine as powdered sugar. If hiking is not your thing, you can take a boat ride through the mangroves of Esnenada Honda, near Dewey. Or anchor your sailing charter at Dakity Harbor or Almadovar Bay for a day of snorkeling. There is a reason why the Puerto Rico tourism office calls Culebra, “the most fishing place in Puerto Rico!” Some of the best diving and snorkeling spots in the Caribbean are found in Culebra, whose reefs are also protected by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. USA Pristine coral reefs and calm, clear waters provide an incredible opportunity to observe barracudas, rays, parrotfish, trumpet fish, blue spikes, deep purple fans, and a variety of colorful corals, as well as the opportunity to swim with turtles marine. At night, in the tranquil anchorage of Almadovar Bay, you can see the twinkling lights of St. Thomas 15 miles away as the sun sets on another perfect day of your sailing charter. Another anchor for your sailing charter is the small key on the high seas, Culebrita. Snorkeling here is also excellent. The beaches are fabulous, especially the 400-foot white sand crescent on the north coast.
The anchorages in Culebrita are quite deserted during the week, but on the weekends they are a different story. Everyone from Puerto Rico, with a fast motorized boat, seems to make Culebrita the destination of choice for the weekend party. After several days of solitude, it can be fun to watch people, while the families laugh, dance on the terrace to the music of salsa, share a drink or two with you, and then disappear at sunset. The last stop on your sailing charter to the Spanish Virgin Islands should be the island of Vieques. Twenty-one miles long and three or four miles wide, this island’s bays, coves and beaches are considered by many cruise ships to be the best anchorages in the Virgin Islands. Due to its recent history as a US bombing practice site. The island has not been touched by developers, (despite the fact that in addition to St. Croix, it is the largest island in the US Virgin Islands and Great Britain). With a population of only 8,000 Resident humans living in the central part, the island is also home to a large herd of roaming goats, a few scrawny cattle and fine-footed wild horses. Most of the locals travel on horseback.
The main city is Esperanza, with its beautiful white promenade, lined with picturesque restaurants. One of the highlights of visiting Vieques is an overnight trip to Mosquito Bay, which is said to contain the highest degree of bioluminescence in the world. The enormous concentrations of microorganisms give off a mysterious glow when disturbed by movement in the water. If the waters are calm, you can sail from your anchor in Ensenada Sun Bay. Otherwise, it’s worth hiring one of Esperanza’s many private tour operators to take you on a night dive, kayak, or electric boat trip to experience this remarkable phenomenon. Your last night on your sailing charter must be anchored in Green Beach, located at the western end of Vieques. The beach, with its narrow stretch of palm-lined sand, looks directly across the water towards El Yunque in Puerto Rico, just six miles to the west. Sipping the last few shots of rum on deck, watch the green flash as the sun disappears below the horizon in this pristine piece of paradise.
If you are looking for quiet moorings, secluded pristine and white beaches, spectacular snorkeling / diving, and land immersion in Spanish Caribbean culture with local residents, unaffected by tourism or development, the Spanish Virgin Islands is for you! These Virgin Islands and Keys will provide a completely unique boat rental opportunity from the nearby US Virgin Islands. USA And Great Britain. One of our yachts offering a perfect sailing vacation in the Spanish Virgin Islands is the Marolanga charter yacht.
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