If you come to Puerto Rico in search of beaches, we’ve got news for you. We have over 270 miles of them! But the numbers only tell half the story; we offer a tremendous variety of beaches to suit just about any visitor.
In Puerto Rico, you can enjoy golden-sand beaches facing the deep blue Atlantic Ocean or white-sand beaches facing the turquoise Caribbean Sea. Our surfing beaches rank among the best in the world. Snorkelers will find hundreds of reefs teeming with marine life. If you’re looking for something different, we invite you to discover our black sand beach or sea glass beach. And if you’re after something truly special, we’ll take you to a place that has been ranked among the top beaches on Earth.
Visitors should always exercise caution when swimming in any and all beaches and rivers, especially when there’s bad weather. Please check with hotel concierges and other sources.
Top puerto rico beaches
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Flamenco Beach
Culebra Island’s most dazzling natural treasure was once described by the Discovery Channel as the second most beautiful beach in the world. Ringed by low hills, Flamenco is a deep horseshoe of white sand facing glassy-smooth waters of various shades of blue. It’s such a popular destination that many visitors spend several months a year camped by its shores.
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Vieques and Culebra
Beyond Flamenco Beach, Culebra offers many breathtaking beaches, including the magnificent Playa Tortuga on the unspoiled island of Culebrita. Not to be outdone, the diverse beaches of nearby Vieques Island have made it a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. From the broad golden crescent of Sun Bay, to the dark, volcanic sand of Black Sand Beach, to the tucked-away pleasures of Secret Beach, Vieques invites you to explore and enjoy its many beachfront destinations.
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300 Beaches
With 300 beaches to choose from, beach-hopping is something of a national pastime here. Most Puerto Ricans have their favorites, and many beaches cater to specific events, crowds or holidays. No matter which beach you visit, the next one is never far away!
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Surfing
Rincón and the east coast are the surfing capital of Puerto Rico and frequent hosts to world-class surfing competitions. In fact, the island is known among surfers around the globe as “the Hawaii of the Atlantic.” The winter months are the most active, but you can surf year-round in Puerto Rico.
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Kiteboarding
The trade winds of the Atlantic Ocean, waves and warm water combine to offer ideal conditions for kiteboarding, a fast-growing sport that has taken firm root on the island. Head to the beaches of Isla Verde and Ocean Park, the kiteboarding hotspots of Puerto Rico, where you’ll find instruction and equipment rentals and sales.
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Family-friendly Beaches
Visitors can enjoy a number of idyllic beaches where the water is shallow, the currents are calm, and the ambience ideal for the whole family. In particular, families should look for balnearios, or public beaches, that offer full-service facilities including lifeguards, restrooms, parking and changing areas. Click here for our list of balnearios around the island.
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Snorkeling
To find the best beaches for snorkeling, head east, west and south from San Juan. Fajardo, the islands of Vieques and Culebra, and the keys of Icacos, Lobos and Ratones offer some of the best snorkeling in the Caribbean. On the west coast, Desecheo and Mona Island are remote underwater kingdoms. And La Parguera in the south is renowned among divers and snorkelers alike.
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