This beautiful series of islands is lucky to have beaches with some of the healthiest and least spoiled coral life in the world, making for truly exceptional snorkelling. While the main island of Puerto Rico itself has lots of snorkeling to do, the best snorkel sites are on the beaches of its offshore islands.

It seems like other Caribbean are reefs are slowly losing their vibrance, but Puerto Rico is still home to a colourful healthy reef, crystal clear waters, and excellent visibility for snorkeling. If you find yourself in Puerto Rico, here are the best places to go snorkelling.

Fish in Puerto Rico:

• Barracuda, Black Margate’s, Blue Chromis, Blue-Striped Grunts, Blue Tangs, Doctorfish, French Grunts, Jacks, Mahogany Snappers, Porkfish, Schoolmasters, Smallmouth Grunts, Snappers, Southern Sennets, and more.

Corals in Puerto Rico:

• Bent Sea Rods, Black Sea Rods, Blade Fire Corals, Branching Fire Corals, Encrusting Gorgonians, Fire Corals, Elkhorn Corals, Groove-Bladed Sea Whips, Lace Corals, Pillar Corals, Porous Sea Rods, Sea Fans, Sea Fingers, Sea Plumes, and more.

Where: Vieques
Details: One of the Spanish Virgin Islands prime snorkel destinations, the water on Vieques is much clearer and calmer than in Culebra. Bahia de la Chiva is the best snorkel site on this island, with excellent visibility and a diverse range of fish life to explore. The tropical reef is bustling with spotted eagle rays, hawksbill turtles, parrot fish, angelfish, brain coral, gorgonian coral forests, and more, and you can snorkel to the reef from any spot on the beach.

Information:

• The best snorkel spot here is La Chiva, a small island bursting with sea and marine life around a tropical reef. Access is at the end of the road through the shallow waters,
• The water here is very shallow, making a great snorkel spot for children and novices. You can easily float and swim along with the current for a relaxing swim and snorkel adventure,
• Beware to not walk over the shallow waters to reach the sea itself. What looks like seagrass may well be housing coral and sea urchins, so for the benefit of yourself and the health of the reef, just go for that 5 minute swim.

Facilities:

• Bathrooms on-site
• Gazebos available.

Where: San Juan
Details: Not the most outstanding snorkeling spot, but definitely one of the most beautiful and picturesque beaches of Puerto Rico. We thought this spot should be pointed out since most travellers will be sure to spend some time in San Juan, and if you fancy snorkeling while there then this is where to go. A sprawling and stunning beach lined with coconut palms, you’ll have the chance to swim with turtles and diverse populations of fish life.

Information:

• For the best snorkeling you’ll want to swim towards the left side of the protected waters across the Caribe Hilton.
  There’s so much to see and explore at this beach, so give yourself time beyond snorkeling!

Facilities:

• Bathrooms and showers on-site.

Where: Culebra
Details: Culebra is one of the world’s best snorkeling islands, and Carlos Rosario is one of its most heavenly snorkel sites. Less developed than other islands, Culebra is preserved and protected with a huge healthy reef that can be explored for days on end. The reefs at Carlos Rosario are the standout selection in Culebra, with snorkeling right off the beach, and some of the most beautiful formations and marine life to explore. The waters here are calm and clear and you’ll be swimming with a variety of fish life, small and large!

Information:

• Access to this beach is through the popular Flamenco Beach. From the car park you will find a forest trail leading to Carlos Rosario, which is about a 20-minute walk to this stunning secluded spot,
• There are no facilities on this beach.

Where: Culebra