Culebra is a small island located off the east-coast of Puerto Rico’s main island.
It’s home to one of the most beautiful beaches in the world and incredible marine life.
I’ve been living in Puerto Rico for the past 14 years, and Culebra is always my go to place for a vacation.
In this article, I will cover the 25 best things to do in Culebra, Puerto Rico:
Culebra is well known for its award-winning Flamenco Beach.
The water is crystal clear, and the sand is pure white.
Below is a video of Flamenco Beach in Culebra, Puerto Rico:
Flamenco Beach is also a great place to snorkel and scuba dive.
You can read more by checking out our article Flamenco Beach – All You Need To Know.
Snorkeling with sea turtles is an experience like no other.
Upon snorkeling the beautiful scenery and calm, turquoise waters of Culebra, you’ll find yourself swimming with manta rays, abundant sea life, and sea turtles!
Tamarindo beach and Melones beach are where you’ll snorkel with the sea turtles.
Below is a video of what it’s like to snorkel with the turtles in Culebra:
Check out other places to snorkel in Culebra and Puerto Rico in our article 25 Best Snorkel Spots In Puerto Rico.
Did you know that Culebra has a smaller island off the coast?
It’s called Culebrita. It’s a lovely deserted island that’s only a short water taxi trip from Culebra.
It’s part of the Culebra’s National Wildlife Refuge, there’s only one man-made building on the island, and it’s an antique lighthouse.
You can also sign up for a tour that will take you there or rent a charter boat or kayak there.
Below is a video of Culebrita island:
For information about exploring Culebra, read our article 12 Best Tours & Excursions In Culebra.
Visiting El Polvorin museum is something fun for both adults and kids to enjoy!
You’ll appreciate the concise history of Culebra and its distinctive heritage.
You’ll also see displays of local “Tainos,” such as children in wooden canoes, at Museo El Polvorin.
The museum also displays Navy items from when Culebra was utilized as a test site for bombs.
With abundant coral reefs, colorful fishes, and other marine life, scuba diving is popular here in Culebra.
Many tour companies offer scuba diving tours, and they will provide all of the necessary equipment.
The average depth of the dive sites around Culebra is about 30 feet, so it is perfect for beginners.
Culebra is a beautiful place to go scuba diving, an experience you will never forget.
Below is a video of what it’s like to scuba dive in Puerto Rico:
Check out the 30 Best Scuba Diving Sites in Puerto Rico, where Culebra made the list a few times.
The Culebra National Wildlife Refuge protects more than 20% of Culebra.
This includes extensive lengths of shoreline and all of the island’s surrounding islands, such as Cayo Luis Peña.
Established by US President Theodore Roosevelt in 1909, you can explore various beaches, dry woods, mangroves, and seagrass beds.
This refuge also serves as a home for endangered sea turtles and is one of the Caribbean’s greatest seabird breeding sites.
Locals have started rebuilding mangroves along the Culebra beach to maintain the natural ecology.
Visiting the Culebra mangrove forest will give you an understanding of the important function of mangroves in fostering marine and coastal habitats for endangered seabirds and sea turtles.
Be careful not to harm the creatures in the mangrove forest while you’re there.
Perhaps the only thing more famous than the white sand and turquoise water at Flamenco beach is the rusted, graffiti-covered military tanks that stand on the shore.
The tank, a throwback from Culebra’s time as a naval base, has become one of Puerto Rico’s most iconic and photographed landmarks.
You can find this tank by taking a left upon entering the beach and walking to the far end of Flamenco Beach.
Below is a video of the famous beach tank found in Flamenco Beach:
Tamarindo Beach is Culebra’s second most famous beach.
Tamarindo Beach is a unique shoreline in Culebra, with a combination of light golden sand and vast walkways of pebbles and coral stone washed ashore by the sea.
Tamarindo Beach, which is part of the Cayo Luis Pea Nature Reserve, is not as developed as Flamenco Beach but that is part of its attractiveness.
Culebra is home to some delicious local cuisine you should take advantage of.
You won’t find any chain restaurants here.
Instead, you’ll be able to enjoy fresh, authentic Puerto Rican food.
The seafood is delicious here, as Culebra is right in the heart of the Caribbean.
So try local dishes in Culebra – you won’t be disappointed!
If you’re looking for a truly stunning sunset, Culebra is the place to be.
There’s something about the gentle waves and the warm sand that makes watching the sun go down an unforgettable experience.
Culebra is the perfect place to watch the sunset because it is so secluded.
It is a special moment that you can share with your friends or loved ones.
Watching the sunset at Culebra is an experience that you will never forget.
Zoni Beach, located on Culebra’s northeastern shore, is one of the most beautiful beach experiences you will have in Culebra.
Because of its white sands and blue seas, Zoni is equally as attractive as the famed Flamenco Beach.
Below is a video of Zoni Beach in Culebra:
If you love to surf, Zoni Beach is the perfect place to be when visiting Culebra.
Make sure to bring your surfboard!
If you are looking for other surf spots, then check out our article about the 10 best surf spots in Puerto Rico.
Culebra’s public library is open to anyone and is excellent for book swapping.
Across the open-air patio, you’ll find a little movie theater where you can see current films and eat buttery popcorn that they present twice a week.
You also get free internet access and a computer lab.
If you’re thinking about diving in Culebra, it’s worth considering doing so with a divemaster.
In Culebra, many divemasters are familiar with the area and can help you find the best spots to dive.
They’ll also be able to provide you with tips on how to stay safe while diving and what to look out for. So if you’re looking for a divemaster in Culebra, book a diving tour.
It could make all the difference to your diving experience!
Kayak around the beaches of Luis Pena Cay, where the sea is quiet and clean. You’ll want to stop along the road to soak in all the beauty.
You can paddle around at your own pace, stopping to swim or explore whenever you like.
Kayaking is also a great way to meet other people interested in the outdoors.
So if you’re looking for a fun and active way to spend your day, be sure to go kayaking around the beaches in Culebra.
Paddle boarding is a great way to get out on the water and enjoy the incredible views of Culebra’s beaches.
The turquoise waters and white sand beaches are truly stunning, and paddle boarding is a great way to enjoy them.
And because you are standing on the board, you have a great view of the fish and coral below.
Be sure to bring your snorkeling gear to take a break to admire the beautiful sea world underneath you.
Chartering a private boat is the best way to see Culebra.
You can customize your itinerary to suit your interests, whether you want to spend time snorkeling, fishing, or just exploring the island.
Chartering a boat also gives you access to parts of Culebra that are inaccessible by land, like remote beaches such as Tortuga beach and uninhabited islands like Culebrita.
So if you’re looking for an authentic Culebra experience, chartering a private boat is the way to go.
If you’re staying in Culebra, you must visit the neighboring island of Vieques to see the bioluminescent bay.
Vieques is only 15 miles from Culebra; you can take the ferry from Culebra to Vieques at certain times of the month.
You can read our article to learn how to get to Vieques.
Mosquito Bay is full of single-celled organisms called dinoflagellates that light up when disturbed, creating an unforgettable experience.
Learn more by reading our article about Puerto Rico’s bioluminescent bays.
Scootering around Culebra is the best way to explore the island.
You can quickly get to all the beaches and attractions without having to walk or take a car.
Scooters are also more environmentally friendly than cars, so you can feel good about reducing your carbon footprint while on vacation.
So if you’re looking for a fun and efficient way to get around Culebra, rent a scooter during your stay.
Carlos Rosario Beach is one of the most incredible beaches for diving or snorkeling.
With its calm seas and variety of flora and fauna, you’ll be amazed when discovering the underwater reefs on one side and the lush, thick flora on the other.
Below is a video of what Carlos Rosario beach looks like:
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Since this is an undeveloped beach, I recommend bringing everything you need, like snacks, food, and water, for a comfortable stay.
Melones Beach is another beach perfect for snorkelers to visit!
This is not the best beach for bathing because of its rocky bottom.
The finest snorkeling location is just over the boulders on the right side of the beach.
Below is a video of what it’s like to snorkel on Melones beach:
You’ll be floating over a coral reef garden home to a diverse tropical fish population with striking stripes and colors.
Brava Beach is another perfect beach for surfers.
It’s a 30-40 minute hike to reach Brava Beach, but it’s worth it once you arrive at this hidden gem.
Hiking to this beach is part of the fun; you’ll wander through mangroves and vegetation and immerse yourself like this island.
This beach is not ideal for swimming due to its large waves and fierce waters.
Below is a video of what Brava beach looks like:
If you’re not a surfer but love hikes, you’ll enjoy dipping your feet in the calm waters and exploring the stretch of beach, which is almost always empty.
If you’re planning to stay in Culebra for more than a day, enjoy the experience of exploring the island in a rented Jeep or golf cart.
The island is your oyster when exploring on your own.
You can rely on something other than taxi vans to go anywhere.
It’s great for getting around the island’s many beaches, especially if you like to beach hop.
Happy hour is the perfect way to wind down after a long day of exploring.
Culebra is a beautiful island, and there’s no better way to enjoy its stunning views than with a refreshing drink in hand.
Happy hour is also a great time to socialize with other travelers and get tips on where and what to see.
The best way to ensure you’re getting the whole experience of exploring Culebra is to book a Culebra tour.
Consider booking a jet ski tour for a few hours, renting a private charter boat to visit the cays and islands, or even a fishing trip!
There are few free things to do in Culebra. You can visit Flamenco Beach or Playa Tamarindo for free.
Culebra nights are more peaceful and not famous for its nightlife. You can visit the bars like Dinghy Dock to listen to live music, or visit Mamacitas Guesthouse and visit its tropical bar.
Culebra is a small island in Puerto Rico that you must visit.
With so much to offer, you’ll never want to leave this island. The best things to do in Culebra are Flamenco Beach and snorkeling.
I recommend dedicating an entire day to visiting Culebra, starting early in the morning and returning back to the main island later in the evening.
If you have a few days to spare, rent an Airbnb and a Jeep so you can really enjoy the magic Culebra has to offer.
I also recommend that you visit the neighboring island of Vieques to see the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world; this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Writer at PuertoRico.com. I’ve lived in Puerto Rico for 14 years and have experienced every inch of this stunning island. Growing up in Puerto Rico has helped me truly learn about the rich culture and extensive history this island has to offer. I share my local knowledge in all of the articles that I write.
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