vieques excursions

13 Best Tours & Excursions In Vieques, Puerto Rico (2024)

• Tours & Excursions

Vieques is an island located 6-miles off the east-coast of Puerto Rico’s main island.

Vieques is home to the world’s brightest bioluminescent bay, Mosquito Bay, and is known for its pristine beaches and wild horses.

After visiting Vieques many times with a local, I can tell you that there is no shortage of exciting tours to take on your trip.

In this article, I will cover the 13 best tours and excursions in Vieques, Puerto Rico:

1. Bioluminescent bay tour

Vieques has the brightest bio bay in the world, Mosquito Bay .

You can kayak through this bay at night and experience glowing water. 

This is a once in a life time experience, and should not be missed. 

It is difficult to capture this experience with a camera as you need special long exposure settings. Even with the right settings the images captured don’t do it justice. 

Every stroke of your paddle will cause single-celled plankton called dinoflagellates to emit blue light. 

Many tours utilize glass-bottom kayaks to enhance the experience. 

Below is a video showing Mosquito Bio Bay in Vieques:

To learn more, read our article about Puerto Rico’s bioluminescent bays .

2. Horseback riding tours

Horseback riding tours provide a view of Vieques like no other.

Explore the paths and trails of undisturbed tropical forests and secluded beaches that are not accessible with other forms of transportation.  

          View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Jurutungo Farm, Vieques (@jurutungofarm)

Photo Credit: @jurutungofarm

Enjoy a graceful ride across the sand on the backs of well-trained Paso Fino horses.

These horses are known for their naturally smooth gait. They are often adopted, well cared for, and loved by their owners. Your patronage helps support their rescue with some companies.

Tours can accommodate any experience level. Helmets are provided.

Below is a video showing horseback riding on the beach:

Visit Jurutungo Farm to book your tour.

Read our article about the famous Black Sand Beach , where most horseback riding tours take you.

3. Beach hopping tours

Vieques has 50 square miles of public beaches each with its own personality. 

Many of these beaches are a part of the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge.

Vieques beaches are usually pretty much empty even on the busiest days. 

These beaches are truly gorgeous and offer the rare opportunity to have an entire beach to yourself.

Beach hopping tours that are available to experience several unique beaches covered in everything from white sands, gold sands, magnetic black sand , and even beaches covered in sea glass.

Check out Vieques beaches in the following video:

To book your beach hopping tour, contact Vieques Concierge .

Learn more in our article 17 Best Beaches In Vieques .

4. Snorkeling tour

Vieques is home to some of the best spots to snorkel.

Swim with sea turtles, tropical fish, stingrays, dolphins, and amazing coral beds.

There are several tours run by knowledgeable local staff that will guide you on a journey to dip below the surface and see the unspoiled reefs. 

          View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Vieques, Puerto Rico (@saltyspiritofficial)

Video Credit: @saltyspiritofficial

Experienced guides are able to assure safety and are able to adjust tours for specific weather conditions to cultivate unforgettable interactions with the various species of marine life. 

Some companies offer snorkeling tours that offer transportation, refreshments, sanitized snorkel gear and digital photos all included in the price.

Check out a snorkeling tour in the following video:

YouTube video credit: @crystalclearvieques

You can book your private snorkeling tour with Salty Spirit .

Learn more in our article 8 Best Snorkel Spots In Vieques .

5. Scuba diving tours

Another charm of Vieques is its crystal clear warm water with temperatures that range from 74 to 80 degrees year-round.

These are perfect conditions for SCUBA diving.

Some diving sites have clear visibility down to 100 ft. Here, you can easily interact with turtles, dolphins, and manatees and enjoy the view of colorful coral. 

There are different diving spots around the island — Mosquito Pier, Cayo Afuera, and Corona Reef.  Some companies even offer night diving with UV light.

Tours offer exclusive opportunities to visit remote areas of the waters and shipwrecks to see creatures you wouldn’t find on your own.

Below is a video showing scuba diving in Vieques:

Visit Black Beard Sports to book your dive.

Check out our article 30 Best Scuba Diving Sites In Puerto Rico for more information.

6. Sailboat tours

One of the best ways to see Vieques is from the water.

Many private tour companies take pride in offering their personal touch of hospitality. 

Several tours provide complimentary beverages, a lite fare, or even home-cooked meals while onboard often prepared fresh from locally sourced food.

Knowledgeable and engaging crews offer shared stories that intimately connect you with the ecology and local history of Vieques. 

Chartered sailing offers opportunities to explore many off-grid locations for open-water snorkeling and enjoy exclusive access to marine life that has not been disturbed by large crowds. 

Whether you are a snorkeling enthusiast or simply want to enjoy a relaxing ride across Caribbean waters in the company of friends, chartering a sailboat is a satisfying way to spend the day in Vieques.

Visit Vieques Sailing to book your trip.

7. Hiking tours

60% of Vieques is covered by the Vieques Wildlife Refuge.

At 17,771 acres, it is the largest wildlife refuge in the Caribbean.

The Vieques National Wildlife Refuge was established in 2000 to preserve the environment for the public to safely enjoy wildlife. 

Various hiking tours offer an opportunity to see some of the island’s migratory birds, 4 endangered plants, and 10 endangered animal species, as well as protected historical and archaeological resource sites. 

The refuge also features a view from the Puerto Ferro lighthouse ruins that offer fantastic views of Mosquito Bay, and the southern cays. 

Book a tour with Black Beard Sports .

8. Fishing tours

If you are not one to dine out, you can catch your dinner deep sea fishing.

There are many fishing tours in Vieques and if you are a fishing enthusiast, you are in for a treat.

Explore the hidden coves around Vieques and be transported to remote ocean areas where you can catch Mahi Mahi, wahoo, African pompano, and barracuda.

All equipment is provided on most tours, including coolers and licenses. You must bring your own drinks and snacks.

Below is a video of fishing in Vieques:

To book a tour, contact Vieques Sport Fishing .

9. Sugar Mill Ruins tour

A guided tour of The Sugar Mill Ruins is a sweet treat for history lovers.

          View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Green Orchid (@gr.ee.n_orchid)

Photo Credit: @greenorchid

Passionate and knowledgeable guides point out clues to spark your imagination taking you back through the culture and history of this 19th-century sugar mill now covered in green foliage. 

Vieques had a strong sugar cane economy prior to the 1940s. It is not easy to find this landmark as there are no well-defined roads or trails and the markers are hard to notice. 

The Sugar Mill Ruins tour is a true hands-on history lesson.

Learn more about the Sugar Mill Ruins in the following video:

Get more information about this tour by contacting the Vieques Historical Trust .

10. Abandoned military bunkers 

Camouflaged to appear like rolling hills, the now abandoned area is where the military stored their ammunition during their 60-year operation in Vieques.

Located about 4 miles past Mosquito Pier along Route 200, there is an unmarked road that can prove difficult to find. This is where the bunkers are, and it is located in the same wooded area as the Sugar Mill Ruins.

Following the Peace for Vieques protests in 2003, the military shut down its bases on the island and left behind many artifacts.

Visitors can explore open abandoned bunkers, and perhaps stumble upon the illusive Bunker 412. 

At Bunker 412, you can see a collaborative art installation entitled “Reclaiming Vieques: Memory and Imagination.”

Photos taken in the 1940’s cover the doors of the bunker and depict Viequenses being evicted from their homes. 

Years after the military left, the bunkers were transformed into a disco that played salsa and bachata, attracting visitors to dance in the middle of nowhere.

This club is no longer in existence but is an interesting part of the area’s history.

Below is a video showing the bunkers:

For more information about touring, visit the Vieques Historical Trust on the boardwalk in Esperanza.

11. Food tour 

There is no shortage of yummy things to eat on Vieques . 

Esperanza has plenty of creative food trucks and eateries to try. The Malecón is perfect for enjoying lunch by the sea.

A 3-hour food tour may very well fill your belly with 4-7 culinary stops along the way. 

A food tour can create an opportunity to indulge in a variety of Puerto Rican food guided by a local, like mofongo, tostones, empanadas, and arepas. 

Try Bili, the official drink of Vieques, made with quenepas and rum. The drink is traditionally buried underground until it is ready to drink.

Nourish yourself with the catch of the day like whole lobster and scallops, conch, or yellow tail just to name a few. 

To book this tour, visit Vieques Concierge .

12. Crab Island Distillery tour

Vieques has its own distillery called Crab Island Rum Distillery. 

Crab Island is the first and only handcrafted distillery in Vieques .

          View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Crab Island Rum (@crabislandrum)

Photo Credit: @crabislandrum

With knowledgeable staff, you can learn about the distilling process, taste different rums like coffee or orange infusions, and even purchase rum to take home as a souvenir. 

The venue is a relaxed family farm-like atmosphere with pigs, chickens, and cute and friendly family pups roaming about. 

There is a shaded picnic table and a food truck to complement the rum drinks available.

For more information, visit the Crab Island Rum website.

13. Ceiba Tree tour

Visit the oldest Ceiba tree in the eastern region of Puerto Rico.

This enormous tree is said to be over 500 years old. 

In the religion of the Indigenous people of Puerto Rico (Taino), the Ceiba tree is the daughter of the Goddess YaYa. 

Tours visiting the Ceiba Tree are generally part of a package that includes other historical landmarks in Vieques like the fort in Isabela II and the island’s lighthouses. 

When it rains, water pools in around the various limbs and roots to quench the thirst of various local creatures like tiny crabs and Paso Fino horses roaming about. 

This iconic tree is a meeting place for various tours on the island. 

Book your tour with Vieques Concierge .

FAQ section

What is the best tour in vieques.

The Mosquito Bay Bioluminescent Bay tour is the best tour on Vieques.

Can cruise ship passengers visit Vieques? 

No. There is a boat docking area in Isabel Segunda, but you can only arrive here by public ferry or private boat.

Final thoughts

Vieques is a small tropical island located off the east-coast of Puerto Rico’s main island. 

It has so much to offer, and should not be missed.

The best tour in Vieques is the bioluminescent night kayak tour. To learn more about how you can experience this excursion, read our guide about Puerto Rico’s bioluminescent bays .

Also, check out our article that explains how to get to Vieques from San Juan . 

Tree Alexander

Writer at PuertoRico.com. I have collected countless memories from traveling in Puerto Rico. I share my knowledge of Puerto Rico in my articles. When I’m not writing, I can be found traveling with my toy poodle and homeschooling my children.

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Vieques Full Day Beach Tour

Tour Details

Prices per person, about this tour.

6 hours (9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.)

Important Information

This is not a snorkeling tour.

Children four (4) years or younger, pregnant people, and people with back conditions or recent surgery can’t participate in this tour.

Due to water conditions and other unforeseen circumstances, we reserve the right to reroute to another destination or cancel at the marina.

Island Flyer 65′ Power Catamaran: up to 40 passengers Caribe Spirit 81′ Power Catamaran: up to 60 passengers Tropical Escape 83′ power catamaran: up to 65 passengers

What's Included

Enjoy stunning views while spending the day walking on the beach, beachcombing, and swimming in the crystal-clear waters of the island.

This tour includes:

• Lunch (deli-Style buffet with cold cuts, cheeses, fresh bread, pasta salad, bean salad, and chicken salad)
• Snacks (chips and fresh fruit)
• Beverages (rum drinks like Piña Colada and Rum Punch, Medalla beer, assorted sodas, juices, and water)
• Swim and floating devices
• Spacious shaded cabin

Transportation

Roundtrip transportation is offered at an additional fee per person from any major hotels in the Old San Juan, Condado or Isla Verde area.

If you’re staying in Puerto Rico’s northeast coast, Rio Grande, Rio Mar, Luquillo, Fajardo, and Palmas del Mar in Humacao, call us for transportation minimum and pricing at +1 (787) 860-3434.

Cancellation Policy

For individual reservations of 1-9 passengers, there can be cancellations until 10:00 am the day before the scheduled trip with no penalty. Reservations for 10 or more passengers require cancellation at least two (2) days in advance.

“NO SHOW” if you don’t arrive on time, the ticket is NOT REFUNDABLE and NOT REUSABLE unless (and only if) we have space available to reschedule on a future date. Reschedule must be made on the day of the original trip, base on availability and a rescheduling fee of $25 + tax per person will be applied.

*All marine activities are subject to water conditions. Please call the day before your trip for an update. Cancellations or change of destination due to water conditions is at the Captain’s discretion. These decisions will be informed at check-in.

Recommendations | What to bring

• Bathing suit ON and light beach clothing
• Comfortable shoes
• Sunblock, sunglasses, and hat
• Phone with waterproof case
• Any personal items you may need

If you get seasick, take an over-the-counter remedy with food at least one hour before departure.

Departure Site Information

Check-in: Please be on site 45-30 minutes prior to your departure time for check-in process.

Safe parking available for all of our guests.

Interested in a private charter?

See what our guests are saying about this tour, we are definitely going to use east island excursions on our next trip back.

We had a great time! They had to go to Vieques instead of Culebra but it was still beautiful!! EVERY employee was great! They were very attentive and made sure we were having a great time! The food was good! The chicken salad was amazing! We are definitely going to use East Island Excursions on our next trip back!!

This was my 12th trip with them

Fantastic day trip as always. I cannot say enough about what a great time we had once again on the catamaran day cruise. This was my 12th trip with them in the 20 years that I have been visiting Puerto Rico. The captain and the crew are exceptional in their service and friendly demeanor. The variety of drinks was great and the food tasty and well planned out for a day on the ocean. I completely recommend this day trip to anybody visiting the island. I guarantee you will have nothing but a great time and a day of Wonderful memories.

Activities & Things to Do in Vieques, Puerto Rico

Fun under the vieques sun & magical starry nights.

You’ll find plenty of things to do sure to make your stay in Vieques enjoyable and fun. For those that love adventure under the sun, we have listed a variety of activities available on the island. In summary: Enjoy underwater adventures snorkeling and scuba diving the very clear waters of Vieques, the fun in the water doesn’t end at sunset, the magic continues when you book a  tour of the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world .

On the water there’s more adventures…kayak the mangrove channels, have fun paddle boarding and jet skiing. History buffs visit our small museums packed with interesting exhibits that tell a story about the island’s past.  Explore the island by hiking, bicycling, horseback riding.  Eco travelers will enjoy bird watching, learning about the tropical flora, seeing the great 300 year old Ceiba Tree, hiking Monte Pirata and gorgeous scenic trails. Sail into the sunset, go fishing and finish the day enjoying a delicious dinner. Be sure to bring your binocular for stargazing before bed.  

If you crave for a place where you can completely disconnect in order to re-connect with yourself, loved ones and re-charge your batteries

DRIVING AROUND THE ISLAND

Yes, driving in Vieques is a must to enjoy all the wonderful things to do in Vieques. Planning a great vacation in Vieques begins with renting a car, preferably a jeep. 

MAGIC OF THE BIOLUMINESCENT BAY

Of course we have to include Mosquito Bay at the top of every list.  From all activities in Isla de Vieques, this is one not to be missed. 

Vieques has great adventurous natural trails that lead to beautiful scenic places.  Bicycle rentals and tours are available on the island. 

Kayaking has become one of the most popular water activities in Vieques.

This island has the sumptuous traditional flavors of the big island of Puerto Rico that come from a mix of Taino & Spanish culture.  

FISHING IN VIEQUES, PUERTO RICO

Puerto Rico offers some of the finest fishing in the world.  Over 30 world records have been broken in fishing tournaments celebrated in Puerto Rico. 

Hiking will get you to gain an appreciation of the voluminous green flora of the island and the ample natural wildlife in Vieques.

HORSEBACK RIDING

Hiking will get you to gain an appreciation of the voluminous green flora of the island and the ample natural wildlife in Vieques. 

Feel the beat of the water and experience sightseeing from a different point of view.  Vieques is a relaxing island but when it comes to the water, you’ll have plenty of fun. 

Please visit and support our museums, a great opportunity to see Vieques is a different and more intimate way. 

The romance of sailing around Vieques Island….A wonderful way to appreciate the beauty of the island from a different perspective. 

SCUBA DIVING

Vieques offers a wide variety of diving and/or snorkeling sites around its many rocky inlets and bays.

SIGHTSEEING

Take a break from the sun and go for an afternoon walk around Isabel Segunda and visit historic attractions, see the island’s architecture, take a long walk along the coast,

STAND UP PADDLE SURFING / BOARDING (SUP)

Enjoy the water from a different point of view, you can’t walk on water but you can get on a wide surfboard and paddleboat to cruise on crystal clear waters, get a nice workout and take in the beauty of the Vieques coastline. 

SNORKELLING

Explore the waters and find many underwater surprises. There are beaches perfect for beginner levels and spots for the more adventurous and experienced. 

The skies of Isla de Vieques go very dark when the sun goes down. Two thirds of the island are a natural reserve, making the island perfect for stargazing due to the low light pollution.

Wai-Vie Adventure Tours & Rental

Vieques island charters & tours.

Kayak | Snorkel | SUP | Fishing | Combo Excursions

Play among the waves

Our adventures and excursions get you up close to the best areas of  Vieques Island! Our guests love our water adventures because we go above and beyond to give you intimate experiences of our beautiful island.

Bio-Bay Kayak Night Tour

When you visit Puerto Rico, a must-do experience is a trip to Mosquito Bay on the beautiful island of Vieques. Our bio-bay night tour is a one-of-a-kind nighttime kayaking experience!

• Calendar Every day
• Users Ages 6+
• Hour Glass 1.5 - 2 hours
• Top Seller!

Full-Day Snorkel by Boat – Culebra

Explore the colors of Culebra, a small island off Puerto Rico that boasts amazingly clear waters, isolated beaches and perfect locations for snorkeling!

• Hour Glass 7 hours

Half-Day Fishing Charter

Reel ’em in! This is one of our most popular fishing charters. Fish the spectacular waters of the Caribbean and catch bonito, dorado, yellowtail and other marine species.

• Users Ages 10+
• Hour Glass 5 hours

An Adventure Like No Other...

Wai-Vie is a distinctly Viequense company, born out of a need for reinvention. Bringing skills from our previous experience in the fishing and tourism industry, our vision is to guide visitors and residents alike to come to know Vieques’s beautiful natural resources.

Our name, Wai-Vie, streams from our seagoing roots. It was in playing among the waves, or “waiviando” in Viequense, that the dream for our venture was born.

We give our guests in-depth visits to our island!

The best tour guides on the entire island. They give you an adventure like no other. I love how they focus on small groups giving you a more intimate experience. they go above and beyond what you expect. we signed up for a snorkeling tour and got to experience so many extra things. when visiting Vieques choose Wai-Vie!

The tour from start until we finished was excellent, complete information was provided in the most professional and unique way. The Staff made us feel secure and safe in every way possible, all the while helping us to understand the wonders of the Bay. They shared with us the very best that Vieques has to offer!!! It was amazing and I was so humble that I got to live this once in a lifetime experience.

Raimundo and his staff are very professionals and safety is their number one priority. You also get snacks and water with your tour....very nice touch. Very knowledgeable of the history of Vieques and everything that's got to do with coral reef among other very interesting stories. I promise you wont' regret it!

Rega gave us an outstanding tour of the bio bay. He provided transportation from our home in Vieques and helped us as novice kayakers. He is clearly very passionate about the island and had a lot of wonderful information to share. Highly recommended!

We had a wonderful behind the scenes tour of the island with Rega. We are repeat visitors to Vieques and he gave us the tour we’d been hoping for - not the typical tour but one that we couldn’t do ourselves! I highly recommend!!

Rega took us on a Bio Bay tour at night by kayak that was one of the most amazingly otherworldly experiences we've ever had. He told us all about the elements creating the luminescent phenomenon and showed us details of the delicate eco-system that contribute to the glow. His passion, knowledge & reverence for Vieques & the bio bay was a refreshing change to the typical pandering tour guide one would expect.