Off the coast of Puerto Rico is the palm-ringed, white sand island of Vieques, emanating the tranquil vibe of the Caribbean. For years the U.S. Navy occupied the island as a bombing range but since 2003, when the Navy agreed to leave, tourism has been slowly building. Ironically, the Navy's presence has kept the pristine beauty of the island in excellent condition and provides tourists the opportunity to enjoy its history, architecture, shops and mouth-dropping beaches.
The transportation hub of Isabel Segunda has the military-structure-turned-museum, El Fortin Conde Marisol. The impressive museum houses a surprising collections of artifacts from the native Taino Indians before the Spanish invasion and tells the island's history from the sugar plantation years to its occupation by the U.S. Navy.
471 Calle Magnolia
Isbael Segunda
Vieques, Puerto Rico 00765
787-741-1717
enchanted-isle.com/elfortin
Six miles south of Segunda is Esperanza, home to the Vieques Conservation and Historical Trust. The quaint museum was built in an effort to educate the public on the famous Bahia Mosquito, one of the last remaining bioluminescent bays in the world. Visitors can also learn about the island's flora and fauna while children can experience first-hand, common oceanic life such as starfish and sea urchins.
Calle Flamboyan #138
Vieques, Puerto Rico 00765
787-741-8850
vcht.com
Visiting Bahia Mosquito is best when there is no moonlight or on a rainy night. Various tour operators offer kayak excursions to see magnificent microorganisms light up the ocean with sparkling white lights. These tiny organisms live on the marine plants known as dinoflagellates which emit a beautiful white glow when the water is agitated. Swimming and seeing the ocean light up like a starry night is truly an unforgettable experience.
Many beaches surround the island of Vieques and they are excellent places to relax, sunbathe, swim, snorkel and dive. Green Beach (Western end of Route 200) and Playa Esperanza (Esperanza Malecon) are both noted for their coral reefs and marine life. Manattes, barracudas and nurse sharks have often been spotted on Playa Esperanza. Playa Media Luna (off Route 997) is a beautiful beach with calm, shallow waters perfect for families but the most popular beach is Sun Bay (Route 997) with its 1-mile of half-crescent white sand, food kiosks and picnic tables. The weekdays are less crowded and lucky visitors may see wild horses grazing.
Surprisingly, a wide variety of eateries from simple cafes to fine-dining are available. Restaurants like Fodor's Choice, Uva (359 Calle Antonio, Isabel Segunda), find innovative ways of melting the flavors of the island with the fresh, local seafood. Numerous bars from simple wooden shacks to open-air decks are also a perfect place to watch the sunset and unwind.
Most of the shops on Vieques are geared toward beachwear. However, there are a few art galleries such as Casa Vieja Gallery (Rte. 201 Esperanza) and Siddiha Hutchinson Fine Art Studio and Gallery (15 Calle 3, Isabel Segunda), showcasing original works from local artists.
