Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
You find this spot where Hwy 987 ends at a little seaside park rimmed by seafood restaur-
ants and bars looking east across the water to the peaks of Culebra. There is not much of a
beach here, but there's a view of the offshore islands and the air blows fresh with the trade
winds. The anchorage accommodates the fishermen's co-op and the last half-dozen
nativos,
the 'out-island' sloops that everyone around here once used for fishing and gathering conch
or lobster. The fishermen here are friendly, and you can probably strike a deal with one of
them for a boat ride.
Puerto del Rey
MARINA
(
www.puertodelrey.com
;
Hwy 3 Km 51.4)
Standing behind a breakwater in a cove 2
miles south of Fajardo, this is the largest marina (1100 slips) in the Caribbean. You will
find a complete marina village here with restaurants, stores, laundry facilities, banking and
all manner of boat-hauling and maintenance capabilities. Many yachts stop here to take ad-
vantage of the marina's courtesy carts and Fajardo's supermarkets when stocking up for a
winter in the tropics or the ride back home to the US. Travelers will find that many of the
sailing, diving and fishing charters run from here. It's about 5 miles south of Villa Marina.
Activities
Fajardo is decidedly amphibian - life is as exciting in the water as it is on land. This coastal
region is blessed with many tiny islands (not to mention Culebra and Vieques) that provide
fabulous opportunities for swimming, snorkeling, diving, fishing or just relaxing on a quiet
beach.
Boat Trips
Almost all sailing trips advertised for travelers on the island sail out of one of the marinas
in Fajardo. The operators listed here have been around for a while and know the area well,
but there are many more good choices if these are all booked;
Que Pasa
(the island's tour-
ism magazine) updates listings of new charter operators throughout the year. Many will
pick you up in San Juan.
Erin Go Bragh Charters
SAILING, SNORKELING
(
www.egbc.net
;
Puerto del Rey Marina)
Offers day sailing and snorkeling adventures
(with barbecue lunch provided), sunset dinner cruises, as well as overnight charters to
Vieques or Culebra and term-charters beyond to the Virgin Islands.
