Featured image: La Chiva, just one of the many beaches on the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico | Photo by freto23 via Envato

Find serenity in Vieques, in the “Spanish Virgin Islands’

by Carolyn Ray

Being in a place where there seem to be more horses than people isn’t for everyone. Most of the island of Vieques has remained untouched, unpretentious and undiscovered. It doesn’t mask its flaws – houses, roads, and trees are still in disrepair from Hurricane Maria, but that doesn’t distract from its authenticity and natural beauty. It is perhaps one of the most inviting, off-the-beaten-path places I’ve travelled to. I could spend a lifetime telling the stories of Vieques.

Known as the ‘Spanish Virgin Islands’, the island of Vieques is located about eight miles (13 km) east of the Puerto Rican mainland, and is 20 miles (32 km) long by 4.5 miles (7 km) wide. It’s not hard to tell a tourist from one of the 9,000 locals, who share the dusty streets with horses, golf carts, trucks, scooters and Jeeps. 

Los Morrillos Lighthouse, built in 1882 / Photo credit: Carolyn Ray

Live in the moment

Vieques is the kind of place where the entertainment is simply what you see and feel in the moment. You can’t beat its quirky nature. The strangest part of being on the island of Vieques is knowing that for over 60 years, the U.S. Navy assaulted it as a bombing range and site for military training exercises. Today, a large portion of the island is still off limits, with signs that remind you that there could be unexploded ammunition. But perhaps that’s what has saved it from development and hotels sprawling along the pristine beaches.

In every conversation, I heard countless stories of how people came together to rebuild this community, which was ravaged by Maria. The women who rebuilt the Malecon. The volunteers who cleared the beaches and the paths. The people who opened their homes to others. And the restaurants and chefs who joined together to feed people when there was nothing arriving from Puerto Rico.

Where to eat on Vieques 

The food on Vieques is exceptional, on par with San Juan. There are family-owned restaurants along the main street which offer fresh seafood and traditional Puerto Rican food, notably Bili and Duffy’s. On Christmas Day, Bruce from Fun Brothers, which also rents golf carts, hosted a $25 per person set menu at Café del Mar, with local families. I was among the only ‘tourists’ invited, making it even more memorable.

The bioluminescent bay 

As any proud local will tell you, Vieques is home to the world’s most vibrant luminescent bay, Mosquito Bay. Extreme measures are taken to protect this area from light and water pollution in service to the microscopic plankton that soak up the sunlight and glow in your palms. There’s hardly a more breathtaking sight than agitating the water and seeing green flashes of light wiggle between your fingers. Or fish scooting under your kayak, like stars shooting in the bay.

Sunset in Vieques / Photo credit: Carolyn Ray

Where to stay in Vieques

I stayed on the south side of Vieques, in Esperanza, at the Malecon Hotel. Within walking distance is Playa Sun Bay, but it’s best to rent a golf cart (not a scooter, due to the road conditions) to visit the incredible beaches on this island.

My favourites are rocky Playa Grande, on the west side and sandy Puntas Arenas on the north side, facing the mainland. Sunset at the Puerto Ferro Lighthouse is a breathtaking sight, with waves crashing against the high rocky cliffs.

Everywhere on the island of Vieques, there are horses. They roam freely around the island, but it’s my understanding they return home at night. One of my favourite rituals was going to the ancient, 375-year-old Ceiba Tree, seen as a symbol of resilience, in the mornings to watch the horses gather.

Getting to Vieques is a bit of a challenge, but it’s worth it. Most locals will tell you that the ferry is unreliable and recommend flying from one of Puerto Rico’s 10 regional airports. I took an Uber from San Juan to Fajardo, stayed overnight, and took a 10-minute flight from Ceiba to Vieques. I returned to San Juan via Isla Grande Airport, a 25-minute flight. 

If You Go

• Book a flight with Vieques Air Link, Seaborne Airlines, Air Flamenco. Check flight prices here!
• Malecon House: This boutique hotel faces the ocean and is right on the Malecon, or boardwalk, so you can walk to restaurants. Book a room on the top floor with the balcony so you can see the sun set.
• Vieques Ceiba Tree Park: The 375-year old Ceiba Tree survived Maria and is a wonderful place to see horses in the morning.
• Beaches: Vieques has over 20 beaches, all free, each with a different vibe. Bring an umbrella, chairs, snorkel and supplies for the day.
• Mosquito Bioluminescent Bay: There many companies that offer kayak trips into the Bay, which start around 6:00 pm. Don’t miss Mosquito Bay, home of the world-famous bioluminescent bay. Take a two-hour tour with one of the many companies but check your calendar and pick a night with a new/or no moon. Wear clothing that will get wet. We had no issues with mosquitoes!

Click here to find even more things to do on the island of Vieques!

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