Puerto Rico and the Spanish Virgin Islands offer unspoiled cruising grounds and anchorages unlike other Caribbean charter destinations. Discover why the Spanish Virgin Islands are chartering’s best kept secret.
Arrive at Marina Puerto del Rey by 9:30 a.m. to board your vessel at 10:00 a.m. Once your gear and provisions are settled, you’ll receive a comprehensive technical and chart briefing, which typically lasts 2–3 hours. Afterward, you’ll be ready to set sail.
Your first journey takes you about 4 nautical miles northeast to Isla Palomino, home to a protected harbor with plenty of complimentary moorings maintained by Puerto Rico’s Department of Natural Resources. At the center of the mooring field lies Pyramid Reef—just a short swim from your boat—and teeming with vibrant marine life.
For an added adventure, take a dinghy ride to nearby Cayo Palominito, a postcard-worthy island oasis with crystal-clear turquoise waters and pristine white sand.
After waking up and enjoying a relaxed breakfast, consider taking one final snorkel at Pyramid Reef before setting out east toward Culebra and Cayo Luis Peña. The sail is roughly 13 NM, and you’ll find anchorage or moorings on the island’s southwest side. This area is a sea turtle sanctuary with an excellent snorkeling reef and a beautiful white-sand beach. You’re welcome to stay overnight here, though you may prefer to continue a couple of miles farther east to Playa Melones on Culebra. There, moorings sit just off a lovely beach known for great snorkeling.
The main advantage of Melones is its proximity to the town of Dewey, Culebra’s capital, and the ferry port—just a short dinghy ride away. Dewey offers small shops along with a variety of unique restaurants and cafés. It’s a great place to plan dinner at the island’s favorite, Mamacita’s, a charming spot accessible by dinghy about halfway up the channel that runs through the island. Mamacita’s also hosts live music on weekends, and spontaneous performances by local musicians can pop up any night of the week.
On day three, chart a course along the south side of Culebra, stopping for a snorkel at Carlos Rosario, Tamarindo, or Melones. Each spot offers free moorings and outstanding underwater exploring. When you’re ready to move on, continue sailing east to Bahía Tortuga on Culebrita Island—celebrated as one of the top ten beaches in the Caribbean, which is saying something given how many there are! Plan to spend time discovering the island. Beyond its postcard-perfect turquoise water and powdery white sand, Culebrita is home to a historic lighthouse you can hike to. And be sure not to miss the “Jacuzzis” or pozitas—natural tide pools along the island’s northern shore.
After your time on Culebrita, enjoy a pleasant downwind sail toward the southern channel leading into Ensenada Honda, Culebra’s main harbor. Drop anchor just behind Cayo Pirata, then take the dinghy ashore and tie up at the Dinghy Dock Restaurant. It’s a perfect spot to savor a late breakfast or early lunch while overlooking Ensenada Honda. The Dinghy Dock also makes a convenient place to leave your tender as you explore the rustic town of Dewey. Here you can browse local shops, restock provisions, or even rent a scooter or jeep to tour the island.
You can choose to spend the evening here and have dinner at Sally’s, another great local favorite. Alternatively, sail farther down Ensenada Honda to the Dakiti anchorage, which offers numerous moorings in a calm, reef-protected harbor. Just around the bend from Dakiti is Bahía Fulladoza, home to Club Seaborne—a boutique hotel with one of the island’s best restaurants—as well as the Bahia Bay Resort, an ideal stop for drinks with a stunning view. Another excellent mooring option for the night is Bahía Aldomovar, located just outside and east of Ensenada Honda. This peaceful mangrove-lined harbor, protected by a coral reef, faces east toward St. Thomas.
On day five, set sail south toward the island of Vieques. You’ll enjoy a pleasant beam reach as you make your way to the island’s eastern tip. After rounding that point, ease into a downwind sail toward Bahía de la Chiva. This remote anchorage is wonderfully secluded, accessible mainly by boat. Here you can soak in the beauty and calm of Bahía Chiva, a wide horseshoe-shaped bay with Isla Chiva situated at its center. The area offers a long stretch of white-sand beach to explore and two excellent snorkeling spots: the “Blue Tang” reef and Isla Chiva itself.
After breakfast, and perhaps a morning snorkel or hike, cast off and sail at a relaxed pace along Vieques’ undeveloped south coast to Sun Bay. Anchor on the eastern side of the bay and enjoy some snorkeling or a stroll along the beach. Just around the bend from Sun Bay is Puerto Real, home to the vibrant town of Esperanza. Here, the “Malecón,” or waterfront walk, is lined with charming shops and a variety of dining options. For casual drinks and bar fare, check out Lazy Jacks. Duffy’s is ideal for lunch or dinner, while Bili or El Quenepo offer a more refined gastronomic experience—all conveniently located along the Malecón.
On day seven, continue sailing eastward to Punta Arenas on Vieques’ western coast. The area offers plenty of coastline for anchoring. Along the northwest tip and down the southwest side of the island lies Green Beach, a stunning snorkeling spot often frequented by sea turtles. Punta Arenas is an excellent place to watch the sun set over the Caribbean horizon. If you choose to stay overnight, it’s just a 2.5-hour sail back to the SailCaribe base at Marina Puerto del Rey.
Alternatively, you can sail up Puerto Rico’s east coast to Cayo Icacos, located just off the northeastern tip of the island. This small island boasts pristine white-sand beaches and a couple of excellent snorkeling spots, and it’s only 5 NM from the SailCaribe base. Once you return, refuel and complete your debrief, you’ll be free to explore the many treasures and adventures that Puerto Rico’s main island has to offer.
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