Culebrita is Culebra’s sister island. This small, uninhabited island is located off the eastern coast of Puerto Rico.
If you’re looking for a secluded and peaceful island getaway, Culebrita is the perfect destination.
I’ve lived in Puerto Rico for the past 14 years, and Culebrita is genuinely a top-tier experience.
In this article, I will cover everything that you need to know about Culebrita:
– What is Culebrita?
– Where in Puerto Rico is Culebrita located?
– What is the best way to get to Culebrita?
– How do you get to Tortuga Beach on Culebrita?
– What is Culebrita known for?
– What are some things to do in Culebrita?
– Is Culebrita safe for tourists?
What is Culebrita?
Off the eastern coast of Culebra in Puerto Rico is a little uninhabited island called Culebrita, which is famous for its serene and undisturbed natural beauty.
One of the island’s top attractions is Tortuga Beach, a beautiful beach that is secluded and beach on the island.
It is a must-visit destination for beachgoers and wildlife enthusiasts due to its remote and pristine atmosphere and varied marine life.
Part of the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge, Culebrita is a haven for a wide variety of flora and fauna.
Culebrita may be little, but the island is rich in history and offers many attractions for visitors.
Check out Culebrita in the following video:
If you want to visit Culebrita, you will need to find accomondations on the main island of Culebra. Find the perfect destination in our article Where To Stay On Culebra. You can also compare directory places to stay on Culebra.
Where in Puerto Rico is Culebrita located?
Off Puerto Rico’s eastern coast, close to the larger island of Culebra, is the smaller island of Culebrita.
It is a part of Puerto Rico, an archipelago of islands in the Caribbean Sea and a US territory.
You can get to Culebrita by taking the ferry from Ceiba to Culebra and then booking a private boat tour/excursion to Culebrita.
The island lies just off the northeast coast of Culebra, which is about 17 miles east of Puerto Rico’s main island.
Below is a Google Maps that shows the location of Culebrita:
Learn more about the main island off the coast of Culebrita in our article Culebra.
What is the best way to get to Culebrita?
If you want to get to Culebrita quickly, the best way is by boat from Culebra.
Photo credit: @sousa_pr
Renting a boat or kayak to make the journey is another option, though only experienced boaters should attempt this due to the erratic weather conditions in the Caribbean Sea.
Culebrita is a small island, but due to its lack of airports and landing strips, visitors must use boats to reach this paradise.
Water taxis and boat tours run from Culebra to Culebrita. Prices and what’s included vary, so check with the operator before you go.
For more ideas about what to do in the area, read our article 25 Best Things To Do In Culebra.
How do you get to Tortuga Beach on Culebrita?
Tortuga Beach, with its crystal clear waters and shallow natural pools, is the crown jewel of this tiny island.
Tortuga Beach is ideal for swimmers and scuba divers due to its soft, white sand and clear, blue water.
From Culebrita’s main anchorage, visitors can hike to Tortuga Beach.
Signs will direct you to the trailhead, a short stroll (15 minutes) from the dock.
The trail leads hikers through a picturesque coastal forest before ascending a rocky ridge to a vantage point with breathtaking panoramas.
Once at the top of the ridge, visitors can take a steep path down to the water’s edge.
The stunning beauty of Tortuga Beach makes the challenging hike worthwhile.
Below is a video of visitors taking a trip to Tortuga Beach in Culebrita:
Visitors should also stock up on water and sunscreen before setting out on the trail or hitting the beach, as neither offers much relief from the sun.
What is Culebrita known for?
Culebrita has several charms that attract visitors worldwide, such as its beautiful beach, secluded and inhabited area, crystal-clear waters, and abundance of natural beauty.
Photo credit: @cubalibre99
This island is a popular destination for locals and visitors who want to escape city life’s crowds, hustle, and bustle and experience the peaceful tranquility of private paradise.
On top of the stunning beach, Culebrita has to offer, this island is also known for its vibrant marine life, which makes it an excellent spot for snorkeling and scuba diving.
Photo credit: @sweegdeddy
Visitors can also explore the island’s rich history, including the ruins of an old lighthouse and a former military observation post.
Photo credit: @ejsimso
Culebrita is a protected area, so please be respectful towards the natural environment and leave no trash behind.
If you love snorkeling, check out our 9 Best Snorkel Spots in Culebra article where we mention Culebrita as the 4th best place to snorkel.
What are some things to do in Culebrita?
There aren’t many typical activities on the tiny, inhabited island of Culebrita since it’s so remote.
Culebrita lacks restaurants and a busy nightlife, so your choices are limited to outdoor-related activities, but you should still have a fantastic time!
Check out the following activities in Culebrita:
Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
As mentioned previously, Culebrita is known for having a wealth of marine life. Due to the abundance of marine life, including sea turtles, rays, and vibrant fish, it’s an excellent location for snorkeling and scuba diving.
Photo Credit: @kerenaftaly
Wildlife Viewing
Being a protected area, Culebrita is home to a variety of animals and birds, including iguanas and seagulls.
Photo Credit: @dannettebenet
See the Lighthouse Ruins
Built by the Spanish in 1886, the Culebrita lighthouse is now a ruin, but you can still see it on the island.
When visiting the ruins, you may see a map of Culebrita Island and learn about the island’s past.
Hiking
To see extensive views of the neighboring islands and the Caribbean Sea, go up to Culebrita Peak’s highest point.
Photo Credit: @laura_9204
Relaxing
Enjoy the calm and quiet of an isolated island by relaxing!
Photo Credit: @migordera
When you arrive, put everything on hold and take out your beach chair to relax in the warm sunlight for the perfect beach tan (don’t forget the sunscreen!).
Is Culebrita safe for tourists?
Tourists feel safe traveling to Culebra.
Photo Credit: @tinasxi
Culebrita is an uninhabited nature reserve, and Culebra’s locals are warm and inviting to guests.
Nevertheless, it’s always important to be cautious and alert of your surroundings no matter where you go on vacation.
Protecting your personal property and avoiding leaving it alone on the beach or in public areas is good.
Learn more in our article Is Culebra Safe For Tourists?
FAQ section
Is Culebrita worth visiting?
Yes! Culebrita is worth a visit. It's a beautifully secluded and remote island with tons of outdoor activities, and best of all; it's a great place to relax genuinely.
Can you fly to Culebrita?
You cannot fly directly to Culebrita. Since Culebrita is such a small island, no airports or landing areas exist. You can, however, fly to Culebra and take the water taxi/boat excursion from there to Culebrita.
Final thoughts
In conclusion, you must visit Culebrita on your trip to Puerto Rico!
While Culebrita may have only one main beach which is Tortuga Beach, its unique beauty makes it a must-visit destination for any beach lover or nature enthusiast.
I recommend taking two days off to visit the main island of Culebra one day and Culebrita another day. If you have the budget, you can stay at one of the many vacation rental houses Culebra has to enjoy both places.
I highly recommend checking out our article on Flamenco Beach to learn more about the beautiful sister island of Culebrita, Culebra.
Originally published on PuertoRico.com (2023-02-26); last updated 2026-01-03.