Vieques and Culebra, together with various small islets, make up the Spanish Virgin Islands, sometimes known as the Passage Islands.

Formerly US Navy lands, wildlife reserves now occupy Vieques's entire eastern and western ends. We visit the western end: “Punta Arena” or “Green Beach.” The golden sand mixed with the blue water is where “Green Beach” gets its name.

It is off the beaten path, about a 45-minute ride, but well worth it. On weekdays, we’re often the only boat there. If requested, we can also visit the old military dock for snorkeling, where sea turtles and other sea life can be observed.

Culebra is the furthest away of all of our destinations and is a weather-dependent destination as a result.

An archipelago consisting of the main island and twenty-three smaller islands that lie off its coast, the largest of these keys are Culebrita to the east, Cayo Norte to the northeast, and Cayo Luis Peña and Cayo Lobo to the west.

A wildlife refuge covers one-quarter of the island of Culebra, protecting all of its outlying islands. Visiting this refuge, you can find some of the best snorkeling that the east side of Puerto Rico has to offer. Empty bays and less traffic make for a great day.