Vieques National Wildlife Refuge

18° 7.3′ N · 65° 26.3′ W

About 17,771 acres of former Navy land at both ends of Vieques, the largest national wildlife refuge in the Caribbean: dry forest, mangrove lagoons and most of the island's best beaches, with sea turtles, manatees, brown pelicans and the endangered Puerto Rican boa.

British Virgin Islands US Virgin Islands Spanish Virgins

Practical

Position is the refuge's main east entrance and visitor center (USFWS: 18°7'15.82"N, 65°26'15.83"W), on PR-997 at km 3.2 south of the airport road toward Esperanza. Western entrances: Punta Arenas (18°7'0.82"N, 65°33'5.46"W), Monte Pirata and Playa Grande. Open to the public year-round, no entrance fee. Rules (USFWS): areas not open to the public may not be entered by land or sea at any time; no drones, camping, open fires, off-road driving or removing plants or animals; pets leashed; bicycles and horses only on designated roads and trails, never on beaches. A major portion of the east refuge is closed because of unexploded ordnance and ongoing cleanup. Fishing is allowed in bays, beaches and lagoons outside restricted areas under Commonwealth rules. Refuge headquarters: (787) 851-7258.

Best for

Beaches, trails and wildlife on the former Navy lands

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