Anchorage· Vieques· Virgin Islands (BVI, USVI and Spanish Virgins)

Green Beach / Punta Arenas Anchorage

18° 6.8′ N · 65° 34.8′ W · approximate

The anchorage off Punta Arenas, Vieques' low northwest point: palm-backed Green Beach runs down the west coast, turtles graze the grass beds, and the sun sets over the Caribbean with Puerto Rico's mountains behind.

British Virgin IslandsUS Virgin IslandsSpanish Virgins

Practical

Position is approximate: about 0.2 mile off the west shore south of Punta Arenas, between the NOAA Punta Arenas tide station (18.1124 N, 65.5759 W) and OpenStreetMap's Playa Punta Arenas. Coast Pilot 5: at the west end, south of Punta Arenas, there is a smooth anchorage with east winds, exposed to the south and west; the point changes shape continually and outer palms are sometimes in the water. Avoid Escollo de Arenas, the bank running 3.3 miles north-northwest from Punta Arenas (5-ft spots for 0.8 mile north of the point; strong southwest set north of the bank). Sail Caribe: plenty of coastline to anchor, great snorkeling with many turtles, a 2.5-hour sail back to Puerto del Rey. Ashore is the refuge's Punta Arenas entrance and the El Pobre Trail to Laguna Kiani. Regulation note: 33 CFR 334.1480 still lists a 1,500-yard Navy restricted strip around the west end; Coast Pilot says it has not been used for weapons practice since 2009 and charter boats anchor here routinely, but check current Local Notices to Mariners.

Best for

Last night out before returning to Fajardo, with a turtle snorkel and sunset

Season

East to northeast trades; exposed to south and west

Nearby