Scuba Diving East of Fajardo
Twenty-one miles long and three to four miles wide, many cruisers consider the bays, coves, and beaches of this island the best of all Virgin Island anchorages.
Due to its recent history as a U.S. bombing practice site, the island has been untouched by developers, (even though other than St. Croix, is the largest island in both the U.S. and the British Virgin Islands.)
With a population of only 8,000 human residents living in the center part, the island is also home to a large herd of roaming goats, a few scrawny cattle, and wild Paso Fino horses.
One of the highlights to visiting Vieques is a nighttime trip to Mosquito Bay, said to contain the highest degree of bioluminescence in the world. The huge concentrations of micro-organisms give off an eerie glow when disturbed by movement in the water. If the waters are calm, you can dinghy over from your anchorage in Ensenada Sun Bay. Otherwise, it is worth hiring one of the many private tour operators from Esperanza to take you on a night dive, kayak or electric boat trip to experience this remarkable phenomenon.
Visiting Green Beach, located at the western end of Vieques. The beach, with its narrow stretch of palm-lined sand, looks directly across the water to El Yunque in Puerto Rico, just six miles to the west.
If you are looking for undisturbed anchorages, isolated pristine white beaches, spectacular snorkeling/diving, and onshore immersion into the Spanish Caribbean culture with local residents, unaffected by tourism or development, then the Spanish Virgin Islands are for you!
These unspoiled islands and cays will provide a sailing charter opportunity completely unique from the nearby U.S. and British Virgin Islands.
To arrange your next luxury yacht charter, contact us: Book your perfect Spanish Virgin Islands sailing vacation aboard the charter yacht TARAMBANA.
Three Rocks Horseshoe: Depth 15'-60'
A horseshoe-shaped reef lies 50 yards from a small ledge so, that the two areas are dived as one site. Supplementing the site’s natural assets are a few of man’s contributions: a communications cable and two cannons.
As soon as the divers descend, green morays compete with spotted morays for the drivers’ attention, extending their snake-like bodies in competition with the cables stretching across the top of the reef.
Swimming north across the reef is another smaller ledge. Following the cable means you cannot miss the cannon as it sits right at the edge of the ridge. West along the ledge is a cavern. You will be unlucky if you do not find a lobster tucked in this recess, or if not here than in one of the many other holes and crevices. Look out too for nurse sharks. Farther along the ledge is the second communications cable and as you come up over the reef you will see the second cannon.
Finishing the dive in 35 feet on top of the reef, there is a wealth of marine life to observe. And, this is one of those rare sites that lives up to its name—lobsters snuggle under overhangs and occasionally a brave one is seen taking a stroll over the reef. Do not expect to see large claws, Caribbean lobsters have long conical antennae and two sharp horns above the eyes.
Further Exploring
Anchor, Angel and Blue Tang Reefs, all shallow reefs offering a wonderful experience for novice divers who want to swim with the fishes … in a non-mafia way.
Cayo Afuera, plainly visible from Esperanza Beach, is also easy to get to and has a great shallow reef to explore.
Esperanza Pier is a great place for shore divers and snorkelers alike. You can swim out to the tiny Isla Chiva, about 200 yards off the coast, a small, easily accessible island. Off its western side is a lovely reef.
