Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Culebra
The second largest of the Spanish Virgin Islands, this somnolent crab-claw-
shaped island is renowned for its scintillating beaches, including indisputably
Puerto Rico's finest: Playa Flamenco, a popular weekend getaway for locals
from the main island, who arrive by ferry from Fajardo. The island is indented
with pristine, sandy coves where marine turtles come ashore to lay eggs - an
annual ritual that also occurs on the unpopulated outlying isles that make
up much of Culebra National Wildlife Refuge. Culebra's many offshore
coral reefs are a delight for snorkelers and divers to explore.
Top 10 Features
1 Dewey
2 Playa Flamenco
3 Marine Turtles
4 Playa Soldado
5 Playa Carlos Rosario
6 Playa Brava
7 Culebra National Wildlife
Refuge
8 Cayo Luis Peña
9 Culebrita
0 Bonefishing
A souvenir kiosk at Dewey
The Dinghy Dock
(787 742 0233) is a
good place to mingle
with locals and
boaters over a cool
beer and fresh,
delicious seafood.
!
Dewey
The island's only town
is named for the US
admiral who seized Culebra
in 1898. Visitors - both
male and female - are
expected to wear a shirt
while exploring the town,
on pain of a fine.
• Map Q3-R3
• Culebra National
Wildlife Refuge: 787 742
0115; open 7am-4pm;
www.fws.gov/caribbean/
refuges/culebra
@
Playa Flamenco
£
Marine Turtles
This broad sweep of
pure-white sand draws
day-trippers from the main
island on weekends. The
sensational beach is
washed by powerful ocean
waters good for surfing.
World War II Sherman
tanks
(below)
add interest.
Four species of marine
turtles - green, hawksbill,
leatherback, and logger-
head - crawl ashore to
nest from April through
August on the beaches,
notably along the north
shore and on Culebrita.
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