Seasonal· Puerto Rico (east coast)· Virgin Islands (BVI, USVI and Spanish Virgins)
Trade winds and winter cold fronts (Vieques Sound)
18° 15.0′ N · 65° 27.0′ W · approximate
The east trade wind blows from northeast to southeast about 80 percent of the year, making Vieques Sound a reliable reach; in winter, cold fronts from the US and the northerly swells behind them are the main disruption.
Practical
Position is approximate: the middle of Vieques Sound. Coast Pilot 5 (Puerto Rico chapter): northeast through southeast winds about 80 percent of the time; easterlies dominate in summer; from November through April northeasterlies are the secondary direction, giving way to southeasterlies in spring; passing cold fronts back the wind to the south, then veer it through southwest and northwest back to northeast; easterly waves bring east-northeast then east-southeast winds. The Vieques coastal table shows the prevailing wind east in every month except December (northeast) and waves over 9 ft most often in December. North winds send a heavy sea into Isabel Segunda (Bahía de Mulas) and make north-coast landings difficult. Mean temperatures run from about 78°F in winter to 83°F in September.
Best for
Choosing anchorages by season
Season
Trades year-round; cold fronts and north swell mainly November to April
Nearby
- Punta Mulas Lighthouse5.7 NM away
- Isabel Segunda Anchorage (Vieques)5.8 NM away
- Vieques Ferry Terminal (Isabel Segunda)5.9 NM away
- Black Beard Sports (Vieques): dive center, kayak and bio-bay tours6 NM away
- Casa Alcaldía de Vieques (Isabel Segunda Plaza)6.1 NM away
- Fiestas Patronales de Nuestra Señora del Carmen (Vieques)6.1 NM away
- Isabel Segunda restaurants (Vieques)6.1 NM away
- Fortín Conde de Mirasol6.2 NM away