The Top 11 Beaches of Culebra, Puerto Rico

Flamenco Beach

The grandaddy of beaches, not only in Culebra but in arguably all of Puerto Rico, Flamenco Beach is the island's Eden, sacred beauty, and most popular destination. It's a good bet that most people come to Culebra because they have heard of—or want to get back to—Flamenco Beach. Pitch a tent at the designated campground just feet away from the water and wake up to the sound of the waves crashing against the shore.

As the island's most beloved destination, Flamenco Beach is also very accessible. There are plenty of public transportation options to and from the beach, plus changing stations and food kiosks waiting for you when you arrive.

Zoni Beach

Zoni Beach on the eastern side of the island tends to attract the long-term crowd, such as those who have bought or rented homes in the area. It's not as accessible as Flamenco Beach, and you'll likely need your own vehicle or jeep to get there, but those who make it revel in the relative isolation that Zoni provides. A long and narrow strip of sand, Zoni is a sandy beach facing the even smaller islands of Culebrita and Cayo Norte. Zoni Beach may not have the amenities of Flamenco Beach, but it does provide the same spectacular white-sand beach experience with a fraction of the crowds.

Carlos Rosario Beach

A trail from the parking lot at Flamenco Beach leads you on a 15–20 minute hike to the vastly underrated Carlos Rosario Beach. A pristine stretch of beach facing the island Cayo Luis Peña, Carlos Rosario is considered Culebra's best spot for snorkeling. Still, it also offers a wonderful place to sunbathe, dip in azure waters, and take a break from the Flamenco crowds. This more secluded beach offers amenities, including a site for picnicking and street parking. It's a great location for those looking for a moment of peace and relaxation.

Playa Tamarindo

Tamarindo Beach can be rocky at times and smooth at others. It's far less visited than its neighbors, Flamenco and Carlos Rosario, and therefore offers a bit more privacy, if that's what you're looking for. Tamarindo Beach is teeming with diverse marine life, making it an excellent spot for snorkeling, paddleboarding, and kayaking. It's also an amazing place to spot sea turtles; some even describe it as a safe haven for the aquatic reptiles. Make sure you don't touch or feed them and don't leave garbage on the beach for them to get into. As long as you're beach-hopping, stop by and check it out; you might just want to stay awhile.

Dakity and Soldier's Point

The southernmost of Culebra's beaches, Dakity and Soldier's Point, are very rocky and probably best reached by kayak. The trail down to Dakity gets bumpy in places and will challenge your driving skills a bit. Even if you're not a huge fan of making the trek to the beach, you'll love the sunsets from these spots. Not many tourists wander to either of these beaches, so they're the perfect place to enjoy the peacefulness of the ocean. If you're lucky and go on a good day, you might just see some amazing ocean life swimming around in the water.

Playa Melones

Among the closest beaches to the main town of Dewey, Melones isn't the prettiest beach on the island and the shore is pebbly, making it hard to lay out in the sun. What Melones is known for, however, is top-notch snorkeling. Bring your own gear or rent it at the beach, and then dive in and experience the brightly colored coral, playful fish, and possibly even sea turtles. There are a few trees along the beach that offer a reprieve from the hot sun, and a picnic table perfect for romantic lunches or dinners. If you're looking for beautiful sights, Playa Melones is also known for its spectacular sunsets.

Brava Beach

By the time you get to Brava Beach, you'll certainly feel accomplished. Getting to this beach requires a long hike down without markers to guide you. The total trip is about 25 minutes, but make sure you bring good walking shoes and not just sandals. Once you get there, you might just find that you're the only person on this crescent of sand. The surf here is pretty rough, making swimming too far out inadvisable, and there are no lifeguards or other facilities on this beach, either. This beautiful beach is also a turtle nesting site; the turtles prefer stronger currents to take their babies out to sea. Nesting areas are often roped off or are guarded by volunteers, so make sure you don't disturb the turtles if you see them. If you want an adventure and crave a place to call your own, try Brava.

Resaca Beach

If you think the trek to Brava is tough, forget about getting to Resaca. It's the most difficult beach to get to in Culebra, and unless you relish a challenging hike, you're better off getting here by boat. From the start of the trail, it should take about 30 minutes to reach the beach, but the trek requires climbing over boulders and traversing through the forest. But once you emerge from the trees, this mile-long stretch of unspoiled beach is worth the trek. "Resaca," incidentally, means "undertow," so swimming isn't recommended. Also like Brave Beach, there are no lifeguards or facilities here, and no real means for shade, so bring your beach umbrellas and make sure to really lather on that sunscreen. Resaca Beach is also a turtle nesting site, so look out for signage or roped-off areas when walking along this beach.

West Beach

Located on the nearby little sister island Culebrita, you'll need to take a water taxi to get this even more remote part of Culebra. The water taxi will drop you off on this narrow strip of beautiful beach on the western shore of the island, which has even more pristine beaches than those on the main island of Culebra. But don't feel obligated to stay on the first beach you arrive at, as Culebrita has even more parts to explore.

Playa Tortuga

There's something special about Playa Tortuga, a horseshoe-shaped beach facing calm waters, thanks to its encircling arms that protect against the rough surf. Playa Tortuga, also on the smaller island of Culebrita, offers a scenic backdrop that includes Culebra's only manmade landmark, a small lighthouse long abandoned. On its western end, you'll come to shallow pools and a small promontory that offers beautiful views, photo ops, and, in the distance, a glimpse of St. Thomas. If you're looking for sea turtles, this is the beach you'll want to visit, as described by its name—"tortuga" means turtle in Spanish. Highlights of this beach include its stark, clear waters, wonderful for diving, and beautiful white sand.

Trash Beach

One of the least appropriate names you'll find, Trash Beach was so-called because of the trash that used to wash up on its shores from neighboring islands. No longer the dump it once was, should you choose to explore this Culebrita beach, you'll find a wide crescent of sand facing the booming surf of the waves. It is generally pretty isolated, so if you want a special place to lie on the beach and disconnect, this spot will do nicely. Do be careful about swimming at Trash Beach, as the surf is very strong.