Quick answer
- There's no ferry from San Juan or Fajardo. Every Culebra ferry leaves from the Ceiba Ferry Terminal (Roosevelt Roads), about 1 to 1½ hours' drive east of San Juan. The crossing takes about 1 hour 30 minutes, according to the operator.
- Ferry fare: $2.25 one way for adults (13–59), $1.00 for ages 4–12 and 60–74, and free for under-4s and 75+.
- Fastest option: fly. Cape Air flies San Juan SJU → Culebra (CPX) in about 35–40 minutes on a scheduled flight. Vieques Air Link flies from Isla Grande (SIG) and Ceiba (NRR).
- No rental cars on the ferry. Only cars owned by Culebra or Vieques residents can travel. Rent a jeep, golf cart or UTV on Culebra.
- Weekend ferries sell out. Buy online as early as you can and arrive 1 hour before departure.
Ferry schedule valid through November 30, 2026. Times come from Puerto Rico Ferry’s official itinerary for Aug 1–Nov 30, 2026; check the operator’s site or app on the day you travel.
Your options at a glance
| Ferry from Ceiba | Flight from San Juan (SJU) | Flight from Isla Grande (SIG) or Ceiba (NRR) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operator | Puerto Rico Ferry (for the Government of Puerto Rico) | Cape Air (also sold as JetBlue codeshare) | Vieques Air Link (public charter) |
| Time on the water or in the air | ~1 hr 30 min | ~34–40 min (scheduled) | Most hops under 25 min (airline's figure) |
| One-way price | $2.25 adult (current fare) | Cape Air advertised "from $89" for Oct 2026 and "from $119" for Nov–Dec dates (checked Oct 8, 2026) | Check the airline |
| Best for | Budget trips | Arriving straight from a mainland flight | Staying in Old San Juan or on the east coast |
Option 1: The Culebra ferry from Ceiba
Departs: Ceiba Ferry Terminal, Marina Dr., Roosevelt Roads, Ceiba, PR 00735.
Arrives: Culebra Ferry Terminal, Calle Pedro Márquez, Dewey (Culebra's town).
Crossing: about 1 hour 30 minutes (operator's figure). The crossing can be rough in winter swells and high wind, so bring motion-sickness medication if you need it.
Is there still a ferry from Fajardo? No. Service moved from Fajardo to the Ceiba terminal at the former Roosevelt Roads base, and Puerto Rico Ferry lists Ceiba as the only mainland terminal for Culebra.
Culebra ferry schedule: August 1 to November 30, 2026
Valid through November 30, 2026. A new itinerary is expected from December 1.
Every departure below carries passengers.
Monday to Friday
| Ceiba → Culebra | Culebra → Ceiba |
|---|---|
| 3:30 AM | 6:00 AM |
| 5:30 AM | 8:00 AM |
| 9:00 AM | 11:30 AM |
| 12:30 PM | 3:30 PM |
| 3:30 PM | 5:30 PM |
| 5:30 PM | 7:30 PM |
| 7:30 PM | 9:30 PM |
Saturday and Sunday
| Ceiba → Culebra | Culebra → Ceiba |
|---|---|
| 3:30 AM | 6:00 AM |
| 5:30 AM | 8:00 AM |
| 8:00 AM | 11:00 AM |
| 9:00 AM* | 1:00 PM* |
| 2:00 PM | 4:00 PM |
| 6:00 PM | 8:00 PM |
| 7:00 PM | 9:30 PM |
\*On Saturdays these sailings also carry hazardous material, according to the operator's itinerary.
Source: Puerto Rico Ferry, "Official Vessel Itinerary, Culebra," effective Aug 1–Nov 30, 2026, last updated June 3, 2026. The Government of Puerto Rico sets the schedules and can change them. Check the operator's site or app on the day you travel.
Fares and fees (one way)
| Passenger | Ceiba ↔ Culebra |
|---|---|
| Adult (13–59) | $2.25 |
| Child (4–12) | $1.00 |
| Adult (60–74) | $1.00 |
| Senior (75+) | Free (buy at the window with photo ID) |
| Infant (0–3) | Free (buy at the window) |
Luggage: one small carry-on is free. Additional items need their own ticket: cooler $2, beach chair $1, umbrella $1, camping tent $2, sleeping bag $1, bicycle $2, bodyboard $3, surfboard $6.
Fare change on hold: Regulation 9682 would charge non-residents $11.25 per leg. ATI has postponed it to December 31, 2026, and that date may move again. Current fares apply until then.
Ticket rules
- Buy on the Puerto Rico Ferry website or the City Experiences app. Culebra is the route most likely to sell out on weekends and holidays.
- Arrive 1 hour before departure. Boarding closes 10 minutes before the ferry leaves.
- Bring photo ID that matches the name on your ticket.
- No refunds. You can transfer a ticket up to 1 hour before departure, at most twice.
- Pets must be in a carrier. Service animals ride free.
Getting to the Ceiba terminal from San Juan
- Car: about 1 to 1½ hours without traffic. Paid parking is available at the terminal. For the 3:30 AM or 5:30 AM sailing, think about staying in Fajardo the night before. → Where to stay in Fajardo
- Taxi or transfer: pre-book for early sailings. [MODULE: directory, Fajardo transfers/tours.]
- Shared ground transport: the ferry operator lists shared-ride rates from Río Piedras and nearby towns to the port (e.g. Río Piedras → Port of Ceiba $9.00, minimum charge applies). These aren't sold on the ferry website, so confirm locally.
Option 2: Fly to Culebra
Culebra's airport is Benjamín Rivera Noriega Airport (CPX), a short ride from Dewey.
- Cape Air: San Juan (SJU) → CPX nonstop, scheduled at about 34–40 minutes, on small Britten-Norman Islander planes. It's also sold as a JetBlue codeshare. Cape Air advertised one-way fares from $89 for some October 2026 dates when we checked on October 8, 2026.
- Vieques Air Link: public-charter hops between Isla Grande (SIG, next to Old San Juan), Ceiba (NRR), Culebra (CPX), Vieques (VQS) and St. Thomas.
- Small-plane tips: expect strict weight limits for you and your bags, and morning flights are the most reliable.
Ferry or fly? Taking the ferry from San Juan means a drive, an hour's wait at the terminal and a 1½-hour crossing, so the whole trip is often 3½–4 hours. Flying from SJU or SIG takes less than an hour in the air. On a short trip or a day trip, flying usually wins. If your budget is tight and you're staying a few nights, the ferry is fine — compare places to stay on Culebra.
Option 3: Boat tours and charters
Catamaran day trips and private charters leave from Fajardo-area marinas. They're a good way to see Culebra and Culebrita for the day without dealing with ferry tickets.
→ 12 best Culebra tours & excursions — also browse Culebra boat and day tours.
Can I bring a car to Culebra?
No, not a visitor or rental car. Puerto Rico Ferry says vehicles can travel only if they're owned by a resident of Culebra or Vieques. Rent a jeep, golf cart or UTV on the island and book ahead, because supply is small.
Day trip or overnight?
A day trip works. On weekdays the 5:30 AM or 9:00 AM ferry gets you to Culebra by morning, and the last ferry back leaves at 9:30 PM. Flights save the most time. For Flamenco Beach, Culebrita and snorkeling, though, most visitors find one or two nights much less rushed.
→ Flamenco Beach guide · Culebra beaches · Things to do in Culebra · Culebra snorkeling · Where to stay in Culebra
Before you go: 6 practical tips
- Pack light. You'll pay for extra items on the ferry, and small planes have strict weight limits.
- Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and water. Shade is limited at Flamenco and on the walk between beaches.
- Bring some cash.
- Take seasickness medication if you get queasy. The crossing is longer than Vieques'.
- Pack out your trash. Much of Culebra is protected land.
- Check the ferry status the morning you travel. Weather and operations can change sailings.
Vieques or Culebra?
Both islands use the same Ceiba terminal. Vieques' crossing is shorter (about 1 hour), and Vieques has Mosquito Bay. Culebra has Flamenco Beach. → Vieques vs. Culebra · How to get to Vieques
Frequently asked questions
Is there a ferry from San Juan to Culebra?
No. Culebra ferries leave only from the Ceiba Ferry Terminal, about 1 to 1½ hours' drive east of San Juan.
Does the Culebra ferry still leave from Fajardo?
No. Puerto Rico Ferry lists the Ceiba terminal, at the former Roosevelt Roads base, as the only mainland terminal for Culebra.
How long is the ferry from Ceiba to Culebra?
About 1 hour 30 minutes, according to the operator. Arrive 1 hour before departure. Boarding closes 10 minutes before the ferry leaves.
How much is the ferry to Culebra?
$2.25 one way for adults (13–59), $1.00 for ages 4–12 and 60–74, and free for under-4s and 75+. A higher non-resident fare has been postponed to December 31, 2026.
What time does the first ferry to Culebra leave?
From August 1 to November 30, 2026, the first ferry leaves Ceiba at 3:30 AM every day. The last return from Culebra leaves at 9:30 PM.
How long is the flight from San Juan to Culebra?
About 35–40 minutes on Cape Air's scheduled flights from SJU. Hops from Isla Grande and Ceiba are shorter.
Can I take my car to Culebra?
No. Only resident-owned vehicles can travel on the ferry. Rent a jeep, golf cart or UTV on Culebra.
Is Culebra a good day trip from San Juan?
Yes, if you start early or fly. With the ferry plus the drive, plan on 3½–4 hours each way door to door, so many visitors stay at least one night.
Sources we checked
Checked in October 2026. Where a fact could not be confirmed against a primary source, we removed it or said so.
- Puerto Rico Ferry, Ceiba ↔ Culebra route page: crossing time, terminal addresses, arrival and boarding rules, transfers, refunds
- Puerto Rico Ferry, “Official Vessel Itinerary, Culebra,” Aug 1–Nov 30, 2026 (updated June 3, 2026)
- Puerto Rico Ferry, Rates: fares, item fees, resident-only vehicles
- Primera Hora (May 2026): non-resident fare increase (Regulation 9682) postponed
- El Vocero (May 2026): ATI postpones the Vieques and Culebra ferry fare increase
- Government of Puerto Rico, Executive Order OE-2026-023 (registration and implementation extended to Dec 31, 2026)
- Cape Air, San Juan (SJU) to Culebra route page (fares viewed Oct 8, 2026)
- Vieques Air Link: routes and public-charter disclosure
Originally published on PuertoRico.com (2023-03-02). Reviewed and updated October 2026: facts were checked against the sources above.