Vieques General Info
Places of Interest
Beaches & Bays
Island History
How to Get Here
Restaurants, Scuba & Rental Cars
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The Beaches & Bays......
AMONG THE BEAUTIFUL, LARGE AND TROPICAL
BEACHES THAT RING THE ISLAND, SUN BAY (ENSENADA SOMBE)
IS PERHAPS THE BEST AND ONE OF THE MOST DESIRABLE IN THE CARIBBEAN. LOCATED
ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE ISLAND NEAR ESPERANZA, SUN BAY STRETCHES FOR A MILE
AND A HALF WITH RIPPLES LAPPING GENTLY ON ITS SHORE. THE GOVERNMENT BUILT A
LARGE AND ATTRACTIVE BATHHOUSE, PARKING LOT, PICNIC TABLES AND PROVIDES
SANITARY CREWS TO KEEP IT CLEAN.
THE MORE VENTURESOME PERSON WILL FOLLOW THE ROAD WITHIN THE
GROUNDS TO THE EAST AND TRY HALF MOON (MEDIA LUNA)
BEACH, WHICH IS ALMOST ENCLOSED BY HEADLANDS AND HAS NO SURF AT ALL.
A LITTLE FURTHER ALONG TO THE EAST IS NAVIA BEACH
(ALSO CALLED THIRD BEACH) WHERE A SURF ROLLS IN FROM THE OPEN SEA.
IN ADDITION, ON THE WESTERN END OF THE ISLAND ARE GREEN BEACH AND SHELL
BEACH.
THERE
ARE BEACHES
ALL AROUND THE ISLAND TO SWIM AND SNORKEL, THERE IS NEVER A SHORTAGE OF
BEACHES TO ENJOY. BLUE, RED, AND ORCHID BEACHES ARE NOW FREE TO THE PUBLIC
ON THE SOUTH SHORE OF THE ISLAND. THERE ARE COVERED GAZEBOS WITH PICNIC
TABLES AT RED AND BLUE BEACHES FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF THE VISITORS.
ON THE NORTH SHORE, THE ROCK FOUNDATION OF MOSQUITO PIER JUTS OUT MORE THAN
ONE MILE INTO THE SEA. IT WAS ONCE USED TO LOAD SUGAR CANE FOR TRANSPORT TO
THE MAIN ISLAND. IT IS NOW USED FOR FISHING AND SNORKELING. SEVERAL MILES
FURTHER THROUGH MANGO AND COCONUT TREES IS A PAIR OF BRIDGES THAT LEAD TO
GREEN BEACH AS IT STRETCHES DOWN THE WEST COAST
OF THE ISLAND.
Jump in... The water's
fabulous!
Call & Check for
Available Dates Today
845-528-0351 (May - December)
787-741-0569 (January - April)
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....Are Breathtaking
WITH THE DETERIORATION OF PUERTO RICO'S
PHOSPHORESCENT BAYS DUE TO INDUSTRIAL
POLLUTION, VIEQUES POSSESSES ONE OF THE LAST REMAINING HOPES FOR THE
PRESERVATION OF THESE NATURAL WONDERS. ON A MOONLESS NIGHT, YOU CAN TAKE
EITHER THE ELECTRIC BOAT TOUR OR PADDLE A KAYAK TO SEE THE WATER GLOW
BLUISH-WHITE AS THE BOW'S WAKE CUTS THROUGH THE BAY. AS THE BOAT GATHERS
SPEED, THE FLEEING FISH STREAK LIKE ROCKETS THROUGH THE WATER, MAKING A
SERIES OF LUMINOUS TRACES. IF YOU REACH OVER THE SIDE OF THE BOAT AND STIR
THE WATER WITH YOUR HAND, BRIGHT SPARK-LIKE SPRAY ERUPTS, CAUSING THE HAND
TO GLOW BRIGHTLY IN THE WATER.
THE LUMINESCENCE IS CAUSED BY CONCENTRATIONS OF ENORMOUS NUMBERS OF
MICROSCOPIC ORGANISMS. WHEN AGITATED, THEY PRODUCE A SPARK OF BLUISH-WHITE
CHEMICAL LIGHT, MUCH LIKE A FIREFLY. THE CUMULATIVE EFFECT MAKES THE WATER
GLOW. THIS OCCURRENCE RESULTS FROM THE DELICATE BALANCE OF SEVERAL FACTORS:
A SMALL, SHALLOW BAY WITH LIMITED ACCESS TO THE SEA, RESULTING IN LITTLE
EXCHANGE OF WATER, AND MANGROVE TREES THAT COLLECT IN THEIR ROOTS SMALL
OYSTERS, SNAILS, ALGAE AND SPONGES THAT PRODUCE THE ORGANISMS. |
