Its healthy, well-preserved coral reefs, abundant marine life, clear waters that offer great visibility, and many spectacular beaches make it an unparalleled destination for sea lovers. Yes, you can snorkel on your own at many beaches around the island, but for a really magical experience, we recommend you spend the extra time making the trip to the offshore islands of Culebra, Vieques & Cayo Icacos. I'd say save your money on the snorkel tour as there is nothing to really see. Puerto Rico: Mermaid Snorkeling Adventure | GetYourGuide Another of the best beaches in Puerto Rico for snorkeling is Escambron Beach in San Juan. Even though this is a haven for water sports, its not usually crowded, so you can take your time and calmly explore the beach. Youre just a short boat trip away from some top-rated snorkeling destinations! The surrounding rock formations protect this beach from the otherwise rough surf of the Atlantic, making it a family-friendly location with calm waters. Scuba Dogs - Escambron Park What youll find all around you is the most stunning ocean, with unending shades of aquamarine, accompanied by nearly white sand. Go in the morning before the clouds show up around 1:00PM. Visitors short on vacation time that dont wish to spend any time on the road should consider snorkeling and scuba diving here. The island was occupied by the U.S. Navy for decades, and during that time it was virtually deserted, protecting the coral reefs from human damage. Feel free to bring your own snorkel gear, but for the best experience, we highly recommend you book a tour with a world-class 5-star rated tour for the best experience. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. We kept swimming a little further and then suddenly, there was coral and tons of fish. This snorkeling spot on the northwest is easy to access for kids and beginners. So much fun! You dont need special training, and with just a mask and some flippers, youre ready to dive into the shimmering blue world that awaits beneath the surface of the water. . Balneario Escambron, Parque del Tercer Milenio, San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico. Below is a video that shows snorkeling at Icacos Island: You may enjoy snorkeling at Icacos by moving toward the rocky side of the beach after arriving on the island. Youll have a clear view of the whole beach from this vantage point this sandy corner is not heavily used, so the landscape is more natural adding a little special touch to the ambiance. At Escambron you can swim safely, snorkel to observe sea turtles, scuba dive, take a romantic walk along the scenic oceanside trail, visit the historic Bateria El Escambron, and enjoy quiet spots just for two. Protected by a coral reef and landscaped with tall palm trees, Escambrn invites you to enjoy its crystal clear waters filled with marine life. While snorkeling, you can admire the clear water and spot crabs, urchins, coral reefs, and many different kinds of fish. In case you dont know them yet, these are the other best spots to visit in Puerto Rico. Please enable JavaScript in your browser to submit the form, 13 Best Places to Go Snorkeling in Puerto Rico. Today, Vieques offers unforgettable snorkeling experiences, with abundant marine life including green sea turtles, hawksbill turtles, spotted eagle rays, and nurse sharks. An uninhabited cay where the top-rated snorkeling tours take place, Google Maps | Amenities: None | Browse Snorkeling Tours to Icacos. Tamarindo boasts a pebbly shore and a floor full of seagrass. This small beach is loved by families with small children for its shallow clear waters. Below is a Google Map that shows the location of Cayos de la Cordillera Nature Reserve: The peaceful and sandy La Chiva Beach is located at the southernmost point of the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge. Explore keys, reefs, and mangrove coves around the Island. You dont have to go far from your accommodation in San Juan to enjoy some world-class snorkeling. We invite families and couples longing for a special quality time to take a short walk on the trail, where youll find lovely hidden spots to sit, relax, enjoy the views and sounds, and have a romantic conversation. Ways to Experience Balneario El Escambron, Historic Walking Areas, Neighborhoods, Historic Sites. However, Melones is mainly frequented for the fantastic snorkeling location conveniently located from the beach. You may expect to witness fish, turtles, octopuses, lobsters, and more! Slip-on your mermaid tail, dive into the warm Caribbean Sea, and swim with the tropical fish and turtles that lie beneath. Once you arrive, you will see a a red Kiosk and snorkeling equipment. Scuba diving and snorkeling sites in Puerto Rico are just a short boat trip from Fajardo aboard one of Casa Del Mars two 46 Newton custom dive boats. Below is a Google Map that shows the location of Condado Beach: For more information about the area, read our article Condado All You Need To Know. Playa 9 - Bateria El Escambron is the favorite beach for snorkeling and scuba diving in the city where sea turtles love to play. You might even get to see sea turtles! For unforgettable snorkeling experiences on pristine beaches with beautiful healthy coral reefs, keep reading for an introduction to the most special places to snorkel in Puerto Rico sure to spark a special love affair with the island. San Juan is home to Escambrn Beach, which is considered one of the best snorkeling spots in Puerto Rico. But when the waters calm down in the summer, its a perfect spot to snorkel right from the shore and see the beautiful wildlife. Because of encircling rock formations, there is very little surf and the water is crystal clear. Great for beginners, this is the perfect adventure for all the family. We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. Great for laying out, snorkeling or just swimming in the protected reef area. Escambron Beach Snorkeling Tour, San Juan - Civitatis Colorful fish, sea turtles, and stingrays are the creatures to be seen. A calm beach on mainland Puerto Rico for snorkeling beginners, Google Maps | Amenities: Showers, bathrooms, lifeguards, parking, gazebos, camping | Book a Snorkeling Tour to Seven Seas Beach. Steps Beach is one of the best things to do in Rincon for many reasons, and one of them is the wonderful snorkeling experience it offers. es una.muy buena playa en el viejo San Juan. San Juan Small-Group Power Snorkel Tour 2023 - Puerto Rico It was very family friendly and safe . My son and I were in port for about 8 hours and he just wanted a beach to go to for a few hours. Escambrn is the most picturesque beach in San Juan. You dont have to go far from Old San Juan to get to some of the best snorkeling spots in Puerto Rico. Punta Soldado is one of the best snorkeling beaches in Culebra, particularly if youre traveling with kids or beginner snorkelers. Youll need to charter a boat to reach this isolated cay. The beach has a coral wall/enclosed area and you can snorkel right of the beach and see many fish quite easily. Below is a Google Map that shows the location of Icacos Island: Carlos Rosario Beach is another beach youll find when visiting Flamenco, Culebra. Escambrn Beach, however, promises calm and sheltered waters. Im sure its not the best beach on the island but it fit the bill for us, clean, safe, free and close by. You can only visit through boat and catamaran tours, but Icacos is worth the extra effort. You will reach a point where there isnt any seagrass at the bottom, and thats where you should access the beach. . The top places where you can experience the history of the Island. Feel free toContact UsThis guide is researched, written and published independently of advertisements. You can also encounter artifacts left behind by the Navy, making for unique underwater photos. Once you enter Escambron Beach park's main entrance, you will pass the guard shack(if you are driving you will need to pay for Parking) and continue straight down the road to the very end of the parking lot to the left. San Juan San Juan Puerto Rico Beaches Best Snorkeling Beaches & Excursions in San Juan. 6 Best Snorkeling Spots in Puerto Rico - Passion Passport Below is a Google Map that shows the location of Tamarindo Beach: Melones Beach is the best option if you just have a day to spend in Culebra and wish to snorkel. Privacy Policy | GDPR FAQ | Accessibility, Five Unique Ways to Enjoy the Great Outdoors in Puerto Rico, Top Beachside Accommodations in Puerto Rico, Historic Hotels and Resorts in Puerto Rico, 5 Days of Fun for Parents with Younger Kids, Snorkeling Destinations Around Puerto Rico, 6 Days in the Metro Region of Puerto Rico, Five Days of History and Culture in Puerto Rico. Also known as Escambron Beach. document.write(dictionary['title']);An error occurred. After entering to water, there was bare fish you can see, the water was shallow and its quality was turbid. Below is a video that shows snorkeling at Carlos Rosario Beach: To get there, you must go on a 20 to 30-minute hike from Flamenco Beach. Ive lived in Puerto Rico for 14 years and have experienced every inch of this stunning island.