Culebra & Vieques - Puerto Rico - page 221

Boat Trips
Drop-off at and pickup from Isla Culebrita costs about $45 per person. Trips to Cayo Norte
are generally combined with snorkeling and lunch, and start at $50 per person.
Boat captains recommended for charters and water taxi services include Willy (
787-742-3537) , Brad Stephens( 787-435-6546) and Carlos( 787-435-3662) .
Captain Bill Penfield ( 787-215-3809) runs highly recommended catamaran trips
from Bahía Marina.
Fishing
The real fish hawk on the island is Chris Goldmark ( 787-742-0412;
www.culebraflyfishing.com ; per half-day $240) . He can take you out to the flats for
some superb bonefishing, or offshore for the big stuff.
KEEPING WATCH OVER TURTLES
Two of Culebra's most isolated beaches - Resaca and Brava - are nesting sites for
the endangered leatherback sea turtle, the largest living sea turtle in the world. The
nesting season runs from April through early June. Though this project was more act-
ive in the past, each year a few volunteers are accepted by the Department of Natural
Resources to monitor the delicate egg-laying process. Volunteers travel out to the
beaches, where they count eggs, measure turtles, and document the event for envir-
onmental records. At the same time, participants are able to witness one of nature's
most transfixing and timeless events in stunning close-up.
For more information on how to volunteer for this, and other wildlife conservation
initiatives in Puerto Rico, Click here .
Cycling
With its hills, dirt trails and back-to-nature ruggedness, Culebra is an excellent place to
bike - not just for exercise but also as a handy means of transportation. Dick & Cathie's
Rentals ( 787-742-0062) rents good-quality mountain bikes ($17 per day) and offers
free road service if you get a flat. Call and they'll swiftly deliver a bike to you in their