Isla Culebrita

Overview

Heads up: parts of Isla Culebrita still have unexploded ordnance, so stay on marked trails, and the refuge limits access to some areas. Beaches and trails are open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. with no facilities, and anchoring on refuge beaches is not allowed because sea turtles nest there; check current refuge rules. Culebrita, east of Culebra in the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge, is a snorkel and shore-dive spot reached by water taxi or boat. A travel guide says snorkelers and divers can reach the reef from shore, with sea turtles, rays and reef fish; another rates South Beach and East Beach for snorkeling.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

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Heads up: unexploded ordnance (refuge plan limits access to parts of Culebrita partly for UXO hazards) · unexploded ordnance (refuge panel: some areas have unexploded bombs from past military exercises; stay on designated trails). See safety notes

Habitat & marine life

• coral reefs a short distance from shore^[6]
• tide pools and reefs around the island^[4]
• sea turtles, rays, schools of reef fish^[5]

Marine life is what sources report having seen or commonly seeing — not a guarantee.

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Access

• Shore dive^[5]
• refuge plan: public boat access for wildlife observation is permitted on Culebrita; access to parts of the island is limited (wildlife conflicts, unsafe terrain, unexploded ordnance)^[2]
• by boat from the Fajardo marina or by water taxi from Culebra^[7]
• refuge unit open sunrise to sunset; boat-only access; lighthouse closed^[3]
• unless chartering a boat, round-trip water taxis from Culebra are the only way to reach the island; most water taxis moor at West Beach^[4]
• refuge beaches and trails on Culebrita open daily 6:00 AM-6:00 PM; no facilities^[1]
• anchoring on refuge beaches is not allowed (sea turtle nesting)^[1]

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Recent diver reports

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First-hand reports from divers, reviewed before they appear. Conditions change daily; a report describes one day.

Safety considerations

• unexploded ordnance (refuge plan limits access to parts of Culebrita partly for UXO hazards)^[2]
• unexploded ordnance (refuge panel: some areas have unexploded bombs from past military exercises; stay on designated trails)^[1]

Ocean conditions change daily. Dive within your training, plan with current local information and consider a local professional guide. Water safety guide.

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Protected area

• Culebra National Wildlife Refuge (Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre de Culebra)

  National Wildlife Refuge · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service · Reported by a source as within this area^[5]

  NOAA's MPA Inventory classifies this area's protection level as "Uniform Multiple Use"; fishing: restrictions unknown.^[8]

Regulations change. Check with DRNA (Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales) before diving.

See also

Straight-line distance only — not travel time, and not necessarily reached from the same departure point.

• Playa Tortuga (Culebrita) — 0.1 mi
• Geniquí Caves — 1.2 mi
• Playa Zoni — 1.4 mi
• Cayo Ballena — 2.1 mi
• WIT Power — 2.3 mi
• Bajo Amarillo — 3.8 mi