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

Vieques unexploded ordnance zones

18° 9.8′ N · 65° 23.4′ W

Six decades of Navy bombing left the eastern end of Vieques, its reefs and parts of the west end littered with unexploded ordnance; the closed zones are off limits by land and sea and the cleanup is expected to run until about 2032.

British Virgin IslandsUS Virgin IslandsSpanish Virgins

Practical

Position is the northwest corner of the former bombing and gunnery danger zone at Cabellos Colorados on the north coast (33 CFR 334.1470: 18°09'49"N, 65°23'27"W); the zone runs from there and Punta Conejo on the south coast eastward around the end of the island. Rules and facts: (1) USFWS: areas of the refuge not open to the public shall not be visited by land or sea at any time; a major portion of the eastern refuge is closed because of UXO. (2) Coast Pilot 5: the Navy ceased all gunnery and bombing in 2003, but unexploded ordnance remains a hazard; in 2013 UXO was reported about 600 yards south of Bahía de la Chiva around Isla Chiva, and vessels are cautioned not to transit or anchor around Isla Chiva. (3) 33 CFR 334.1480 still lists Navy restricted strips 1,500 yards wide off the west end (Caballo Point around Punta Arenas to east of Playa Grande) and off the south coast (Puerto Mosquito east to Punta Conejo), with no entry, swimming, diving, snorkeling or fishing except on official business; Coast Pilot notes the west-end area has not been used for weapons practice since 2009, and charter companies routinely anchor at Green Beach and Bahía de la Chiva, so check current Local Notices to Mariners and refuge signage. (4) EPA lists the former Atlantic Fleet Weapons Training Area as a Superfund site; Wikipedia cites a 2021 GAO estimate of about 109,000 munitions items removed with work continuing through 2032. Never touch metal objects on beaches or the seabed; report them to the refuge (787-851-7258). Noonsite advises not venturing beyond the immediate shore when anchored off the south or southeast coast.

Best for

Knowing where not to go ashore or anchor

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