Quick answer
- There is no ferry from San Juan. Drive or ride about 1 to 1½ hours east to the Ceiba Ferry Terminal (Roosevelt Roads), then take the public ferry. The crossing takes about 1 hour.
- Ferry fare: $2.00 one way for adults (13–59), $1.00 for ages 4–12 and 60–74, and free for under-4s and 75+. Buy every leg separately.
- Fastest option: fly. Cape Air flies from San Juan's main airport (SJU), and Vieques Air Link flies from Isla Grande (SIG) and Ceiba (NRR). Cape Air's scheduled SJU flights take about 25–35 minutes. Flying costs far more than the ferry.
- You can't take a rental car. Only vehicles owned by Vieques or Culebra residents go on the ferry. Rent a car or jeep on Vieques instead.
- Fares may change. A new non-resident fare under Regulation 9682 has been postponed to December 31, 2026, and that date could change again (details below).
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 | Vieques Air Link (public charter) |
| Time on the water or in the air | ~1 hour | ~25–35 min (scheduled) | Most hops under 25 min (airline's figure) |
| Getting to the departure point from San Juan | 1–1½ hr drive, plus arrive 1 hr before sailing | You may already be at SJU | SIG is near Old San Juan; NRR is next to Ceiba |
| One-way price | $2.00 adult (current fare) | Cape Air advertised "from $159" for Oct–Dec 2026 dates (checked Oct 8, 2026; fares change) | Check the airline |
| Best for | Budget trips, travelers with flexible plans | Connecting straight from a mainland flight | Saving time when you're staying in Old San Juan or on the east coast |
Option 1: The ferry from Ceiba (cheapest)
Where it leaves from: Ceiba Ferry Terminal, Marina Dr., Roosevelt Roads, Ceiba, PR 00735. It is the only mainland terminal for Vieques. Ferries no longer leave from Fajardo.
Where it arrives: Vieques Ferry Terminal, Calle Morropo, in Isabel Segunda (the north-side town).
Crossing time: about 1 hour (operator's figure). Rough seas can make it longer.
Vieques ferry schedule: August 1 to November 30, 2026
Valid through November 30, 2026. A new itinerary is expected from December 1.
Passenger departures only. Cargo-only sailings are left out because they don't carry foot passengers.
Monday to Friday
| Ceiba → Vieques | Vieques → Ceiba |
|---|---|
| 4:30 AM | 6:00 AM |
| 8:30 AM | 10:00 AM |
| 1:00 PM | 3:00 PM |
| 3:00 PM | 4:30 PM |
| 6:30 PM | 8:30 PM |
| 8:00 PM | 9:30 PM |
Saturday and Sunday
| Ceiba → Vieques | Vieques → Ceiba |
|---|---|
| 4:30 AM | 6:00 AM |
| 8:30 AM | 10:00 AM |
| 10:00 AM | 12:00 PM |
| 1:30 PM | 3:30 PM |
| 4:00 PM | 5:30 PM |
| 8:00 PM | 9:30 PM |
Source: Puerto Rico Ferry, "Official Vessel Itinerary, Vieques," 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.
Ferry fares (one way, per trip)
| Passenger | Ceiba ↔ Vieques |
|---|---|
| Adult (13–59) | $2.00 |
| Child (4–12) | $1.00 |
| Adult (60–74) | $1.00 |
| Senior (75+) | Free (buy at the ticket window with photo ID) |
| Infant (0–3) | Free (buy at the ticket window) |
Luggage: each passenger can bring one small carry-on for free. Anything else needs its own ticket. Examples: beach cooler $2, beach chair $1, umbrella $1, bicycle $2, bodyboard $3, surfboard $6, caged animal $2.
Fare change on hold: Regulation 9682 sets a non-resident fare of $11.25 per leg. It was due to start on May 5, 2026, but the Integrated Transportation Authority (ATI) postponed it to December 31, 2026 while it amends the rule. Executive Order OE-2026-023 extended the deadline for resident registration. Until then the current fares apply to everyone.
Buying tickets: the rules that catch people out
- Buy online in advance on the Puerto Rico Ferry website or in the City Experiences app. Weekends and holidays sell out. You can also buy at the terminal window.
- Arrive 1 hour before departure. Boarding closes 10 minutes before the ferry leaves.
- Bring photo ID. The name on the ticket must match your ID.
- There are no refunds. You can transfer a ticket to another sailing up to 1 hour before departure, and only twice.
- Pets: service animals travel free (add them as an "additional" ticket). All other pets must be in a carrier.
Getting from San Juan to the Ceiba terminal
- By car: about 1 to 1½ hours from San Juan without traffic. Take PR-3 east, or PR-66 then PR-3. There is paid parking at the terminal. Leave extra time for parking because you need to be there an hour early.
- By taxi or private transfer: book ahead for early sailings.
- Shared ground transport: the ferry operator's fares page lists shared-ride rates from the Ceiba port to towns like Luquillo, Río Grande and Río Piedras (for example, Río Piedras ↔ Port of Ceiba $9.00, minimum charge applies). These are not sold on the ferry website. Confirm the details at the terminal.
- Staying nearby: if you're catching the 4:30 AM sailing, spend the night in Fajardo. → Where to stay in Fajardo
Option 2: Fly to Vieques (fastest)
Vieques' airport is Antonio Rivera Rodríguez Airport (VQS), on the north side of the island.
- Cape Air: San Juan Luis Muñoz Marín (SJU) → VQS. Good if you're connecting from a mainland flight. Cape Air's route page advertised one-way fares "from $159" for October–December 2026 dates when we checked on October 8, 2026.
- Vieques Air Link: flies from San Juan Isla Grande (SIG), Ceiba (NRR), Culebra (CPX), Vieques (VQS) and, as a new route, St. Thomas. All flights are public charters on small Islander or Cherokee aircraft. The airline says most hops take under 25 minutes.
- Small-plane tips: expect strict weight limits for you and your bags, and you may be weighed at check-in. Morning flights are less likely to be disrupted by afternoon storms.
Ferry or fly? If your budget is tight and your dates are flexible, take the ferry. Fly if you're short on time, carrying lots of luggage, or connecting from a mainland flight. Some travelers fly one way and take the ferry the other.
Option 3: Private boat or charter
Private charters and day catamarans run from the Fajardo marinas. They're the most expensive option, but you can choose your departure time.
Can you bring a car to Vieques?
Not a rental car. Puerto Rico Ferry says vehicles can only travel if they're owned by a resident of Vieques or Culebra, and vehicle tickets are sold only at the port windows. Rent a car, jeep or UTV once you're on Vieques. Book ahead in peak season because supply is limited.
When you arrive
The ferry docks in Isabel Segunda. Públicos (shared vans) and taxis wait at the terminal and at the airport. If you're staying in Esperanza, on the south coast, arrange your transport before you arrive, especially on late sailings.
→ Vieques travel guide · Things to do in Vieques · Vieques beaches · Where to stay in Vieques
Can you visit Vieques as a day trip?
You can. On weekdays the first passenger ferry leaves Ceiba at 4:30 AM and the last one back leaves Vieques at 9:30 PM. But most Mosquito Bay tours start after dark, so if the bio bay is your reason to go, plan to stay at least one night. → Mosquito Bay · Mosquito Bay tours · Puerto Rico's bio bays compared — browse places to stay on Vieques.
Vieques or Culebra?
The same Ceiba terminal serves both islands. Culebra's crossing is longer (about 1½ hours). → Vieques vs. Culebra · How to get to Culebra
Frequently asked questions
Is there a ferry from San Juan to Vieques?
No. All passenger ferries to Vieques leave from the Ceiba Ferry Terminal on the east coast, about 1 to 1½ hours' drive from San Juan.
How long is the ferry from Ceiba to Vieques?
About 1 hour, according to the operator, Puerto Rico Ferry. Plan to arrive 1 hour before departure. Boarding closes 10 minutes before the ferry leaves.
How much is the ferry to Vieques?
$2.00 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 Vieques ferry leave?
From August 1 to November 30, 2026, weekday passenger ferries leave Ceiba at 4:30 AM, 8:30 AM, 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM, 6:30 PM and 8:00 PM. Weekend departures are 4:30 AM, 8:30 AM, 10:00 AM, 1:30 PM, 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM. Always check the operator before you travel.
Can I take my rental car on the Vieques ferry?
No. Only vehicles owned by Vieques or Culebra residents can travel on the ferry. Rent a car or jeep on the island.
How much does it cost to fly to Vieques?
Prices change with the date. When we checked on October 8, 2026, Cape Air advertised San Juan (SJU)–Vieques fares from $159 one way. Vieques Air Link flies from Isla Grande and Ceiba. Check the airlines for live prices.
Can I get a refund on a ferry ticket?
No. Ferry ticket sales are final. You can transfer a ticket up to 1 hour before departure, up to two times.
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 ↔ Vieques route page: crossing time, terminal addresses, arrival and boarding rules, ID, transfers, refunds, pets
- Puerto Rico Ferry, “Official Vessel Itinerary, Vieques,” Aug 1–Nov 30, 2026 (updated June 3, 2026)
- Puerto Rico Ferry, Rates: passenger fares, item fees, resident-only vehicles, ground-transport table
- 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 Vieques route page (fares “from $159,” viewed Oct 8, 2026)
- Vieques Air Link: airports, public-charter disclosure and flight times
- Discover Puerto Rico (official tourism site), How to Get to Vieques & Culebra: paid parking at the terminal
Originally published on PuertoRico.com (2022-10-14). Reviewed and updated October 2026: facts were checked against the sources above.