Vieques
Vieques is an island southeast of Puerto Rico, known for Mosquito Bay, a bioluminescent bay, beaches on former Navy land and paso fino horses.
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Vieques is an island and municipality of Puerto Rico, about 10 kilometers southeast of the main island and about 14 kilometers south of Culebra. Ferries run several times a day from Ceiba on the main island. Antonio Rivera Rodríguez Airport takes small propeller aircraft, and flights also run from San Juan's Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport. Mosquito Bay, which Guinness World Records named the brightest in the world in 2006, is the island's best-known draw, and kayaking is allowed there. Paso fino horses owned by locals roam free over parts of the island.
The US Navy used much of the island as a bombing range until it left in 2003. Beaches on the former Navy land at the eastern end, including Red Beach, Blue Beach and Caracas Beach, are open in parts. Other areas remain closed because of contamination and unexploded ordnance, so stay on marked public areas. Blue Beach is especially good for snorkeling. Hurricane season runs from June to November, and September is the wettest month, so check the forecast before you book.
Vieques in five
- Plan the ferry or flyFerries leave from Ceiba on the main island and can sell out or run late. Small planes from San Juan and Ceiba are quicker and more reliable.
- Book a car on the island earlyRental cars on Vieques are limited, and rental cars from the main island generally cannot come over on the ferry. Reserve one when you book your room.
- Tour Mosquito Bay on a dark nightThe bay glows brightest near the new moon. Swimming is not allowed; see it on a licensed kayak or electric boat tour.
- Stay out of closed refuge areasMany beaches sit in a national wildlife refuge on former Navy land. Parts are closed because of unexploded ordnance, so follow the signs and gate hours.
Things to do in Vieques
See all attractions in Vieques
Need to know
- Airport
- Vieques (VQS), short flights from San Juan and Ceiba
- Getting there
- Ferry from Ceiba, or a small plane
- Getting around
- Rental car or jeep; taxis between towns
- Best base
- Esperanza for the bay, Isabel Segunda for the ferry
- Time needed
- 2–4 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryRain22 rainy daysHigh26°Low23°Dry, breezyJanuaryRain
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 100 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, breezy
- FebruaryRain22 rainy daysHigh26°Low23°Dry, busyFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 103 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, busy
- MarchRain24 rainy daysHigh26°Low23°Dry, warmMarchRain
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 115 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, warm
- AprilRain25 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°Warm, drierAprilRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 158 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, drier
- MayRain28 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Hot, showersMayRain
Good
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 187 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, showers
- JuneRain24 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Hurricane seasonJuneRain
Good
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 174 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hurricane season
- JulyRain27 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Hot, humidJulyRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 241 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, humid
- AugustRain27 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh29°Low26°Hurricane riskAugustRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 233 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hurricane risk
- SeptemberRain26 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh29°Low26°Peak hurricanesSeptemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 293 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Peak hurricanes
- OctoberRain25 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh29°Low26°Hurricane riskOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 275 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hurricane risk
- NovemberRain25 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Rain easingNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 258 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain easing
- DecemberRain22 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°Dry, holidaysDecemberRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 138 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, holidays
Average daily high and low in Vieques, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Vieques
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
29
- Feels like
- 33°
- Humidity
- 76%
- Wind
- 26 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 75%
Vieques
04:40 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today30°28°75%Monday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 28°. Chance of rain 75%.
- Tue29°28°47%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 28°. Chance of rain 47%.
- Wed29°27°39%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 39%.
- Thu30°26°43%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 43%.
- Fri28°25°75%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 28°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 75%.
- Sat29°26°76%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 76%.
- Sun29°26°49%Sunday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 49%.
Updated 01:12 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- May–JunCasals FestivalSan Juan, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Puerto Rico's main islandby ferry from Ceiba, several times a dayThe mainland port of Ceiba is the gateway to the rest of Puerto Rico.Read the guide
- Culebracheck schedules before you travelThe other island in the Spanish Virgin Islands, about 14 kilometers south of Vieques.
- San Juanby air from Vieques, check schedulesLuis Muñoz Marín International Airport is the main international airport, with flights to Vieques.Read the guide
Before you go to Vieques
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Rules for Vieques, checked
- Vieques is part of Puerto Rico, a US territory. Check ID requirements for flights from the mainland with the airline or the TSA before you travel.Source
- Eastern Vieques, the former live impact area at the island's east end, is heavily contaminated and closed. Stay on marked public areas and never touch unexploded munitions.
- Dial 911 for police, fire or an ambulance in Puerto Rico, including Vieques.
- Ferry times from Ceiba are set by the Autoridad de Transporte Marítimo, and sources describe the service as sometimes inconsistent. Confirm your crossing the day before.Source
Plan around Vieques
Regions, entry basics and money
Read the guideSan JuanThe gateway city and flight hub
Read the guideEl YunqueRainforest on the way to the ferry
Read the guideCar hire and transportBooking a car before the ferry
Read the guideESTA explainedUS entry for visitors from abroad
Read the guideTravel insuranceCover for ferry and weather delays
Read the guideVieques FAQ
How do I get to Vieques?
Take the ferry from Ceiba on the east coast of Puerto Rico, or fly from San Juan or Ceiba on a small plane. Flying is quicker and less affected by ferry delays.
Can I swim in the Vieques bioluminescent bay?
No, swimming in Mosquito Bay is not allowed. Licensed kayak and electric boat tours take you onto the water at night.
Do I need a car on Vieques?
Yes, for the beaches in the refuge. Book early, since the island has a limited number of rental cars.
How many days do you need on Vieques?
Two nights cover a refuge beach day, the Mosquito Bay tour and dinner in Esperanza. Four nights add a second beach loop and kayaking without rushing the ferry or flight.
Where should I stay on Vieques?
Esperanza for restaurants and views over the bay, Isabel Segunda for the ferry dock and shops, or an inn or house inland if you want quiet and have a car.