How do you get to Culebra from San Juan?

You can fly from San Juan's Isla Grande airport or take the ferry after driving to Ceiba. Ceiba is 73.2 km by road from Old San Juan. A ferry package from $80 per adult includes the mainland ride and ferry tickets. It doesn't include your transport around Culebra.

How much is the ferry to Culebra?

The base fare is $2.25 each way for ages 13 to 59. Children aged 4 to 12 and adults 60 to 74 pay $1 each way. Under 4s and adults 75 and over pay no base fare. Visitors also pay a $2 environmental fee per person to enter Culebra.

Do you need a car on Culebra?

No, you don't need a car for a Flamenco day. Shared vans meet the ferry and charge about $5 per person each way. A cart or Jeep gives you more choice of beaches. A Jeep handles the hills to Zoni better.

Is Culebra worth a day trip?

Yes, if you choose a beach day and book your return crossing. The ferry takes around 1 hour 30 minutes each way. You also need an hour at each terminal before departure. An overnight stay gives you more time for other beaches or Culebrita.

Where is the best snorkeling on Culebra?

Tamarindo suits turtle spotting; Carlos Rosario suits reef snorkeling. You reach Carlos Rosario by a 20-minute walk from Flamenco's parking lot or by water taxi. Tamarindo has a pebbly entry and no facilities. Neither beach promises a turtle sighting.

Can you visit Culebrita?

Yes, by boat or water taxi from Culebra. Culebrita is an uninhabited refuge cay off the east coast. You need to arrange your return with the captain; prices vary. Its lighthouse is closed to the public.

Things to do in Puerto Rico › Places › Culebra

Culebra

90-minute ferry · 21 refuge cays

Updated October 8, 2026 ferry rules from Puerto Rico Ferry; refuge hours from U.S. FWS

Culebra is a small island 27 km, or 17 miles, east of Puerto Rico's main island. You arrive by ferry from Ceiba or by small plane. Dewey sits beside the ferry dock. Flamenco has beach facilities; Tamarindo and Carlos Rosario offer reef snorkeling. You don't need an overnight stay for a beach day. Book your ferry ahead, and leave boat stops to the day's sea conditions.

Getting there

Culebra: the ferry and the beaches

The ferry	the base fare from Ceiba is $2.25 each way for ages 13 to 59. Ages 4 to 12 and 60 to 74 pay $1 each way. Visitors also pay a $2 environmental fee per person to enter Culebra.
By plane	small planes with Vieques Air Link from San Juan's Isla Grande airport or Ceiba. Most of its island hops take under 25 minutes; Air Flamenco is a second airline.
Getting around	shared vans meet ferries and flights; carts and Jeeps are rented near the dock and airport. Ride-hailing apps don't operate on Culebra.
Flamenco Beach	the north-shore beach has kiosks and showers. Travel guides give entry at $2 per person and parking at $5 per vehicle. Its gates run from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The refuge	the refuge spans 1,510 acres and 21 offshore cays, including Culebrita and Cayo Luis Peña. Public areas open daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Other beaches	the west coast has reef snorkeling at Tamarindo and Carlos Rosario; Melones is walkable from Dewey. Zoni lies east at the end of PR-250, with no facilities or lifeguard.

Ferry or boat day

The ferry The base fare keeps the crossing cheap, though you arrange your own beach ride after landing. Book an early crossing and your return together.
A boat day from Fajardo Lunch and snorkel gear come with the boat trips, so you don't need a rental on Culebra. Flamenco depends on the sea.
A plane The small planes save crossing time, with 25 pounds of baggage per passenger included on Vieques Air Link. That covers your carry-on and personal items together.

Map

Where Culebra is

Dewey: 18.3010° N, 65.3024° W Directions in Google Maps Apple Maps OpenStreetMap

How to get there

By ferry from Ceiba Ceiba's terminal is 73.2 km by road from Old San Juan, or 45.5 miles. The crossing takes around 1 hour 30 minutes; the base adult fare is $2.25 each way. You need an hour at the terminal before departure.
By plane Vieques Air Link connects Isla Grande in San Juan and Ceiba with Benjamín Rivera Noriega airport on Culebra. Check in at least 45 minutes before departure.
From the dock Flamenco is 4.6 km, or 2.9 miles, by road from the dock. Shared vans charge about $5 per person each way. You can rent a cart or Jeep if you want more beach stops.
With a tour The Culebra day trip list compares 11 tours from $80 per adult. That starting price buys ferry tickets with transport from San Juan. You pay separately for island taxis and Flamenco entry.

On the island

What you find on Culebra

Dewey harbor

Dewey wraps around the harbor beside the ferry dock, where shared vans meet arriving boats. Choose a rental if you want to explore beyond Flamenco.

The painted tank

The painted Navy tank at Flamenco's west end is one of two left on the beach. You can reach it on foot along the sand.

Coral reefs

Corals grow off Culebra's western beaches within the Luis Peña Channel reserve. You can snorkel from shore at Tamarindo and Carlos Rosario.

Diving by boat

The divers head out by boat; a snorkeling ticket doesn't include a scuba dive. Use the scuba diving list to choose that separate activity.

With a guide

Ferry, catamaran or charter: six ways to Culebra

Six ways to reach Culebra, lowest starting price first. Each row pairs a trip with its starting price and the costs or conditions you still need to allow for.

Ferry and San Juan transfers	$80 per adult	Culebra Ferry Tickets & Round-Trip Transport from San Juan 108 reviews, 4.6 · Your island taxis and lunch cost extra. Flamenco's entry fee is extra too. · dates and prices ↗
Ferry with guided shore snorkeling	$145.84 per person	Culebra Snorkel with Turtles & Flamenco Beach Adventure by Ferry 1,529 reviews, 4.7 · Ferry tickets and island rides are included. So is Flamenco entry; your lunch and ride to Ceiba aren't. · dates and prices ↗
Boat day with lunch	$161.68 per adult	Culebra Snorkel and Beach Day with Lunch and Drinks 430 reviews, 4.6 · You pay a $3 marine fee per person in cash at check-in. Transport to the boat costs extra. · dates and prices ↗
Theo power boat with lunch	$165 per adult	Fajardo: Theo Culebra Island Boat Tour with Lunch and Beverages 132 reviews, 4.6 · Your ride to Villa Marina in Fajardo is extra. Rough seas can send you to Vieques instead. · dates and prices ↗
Power catamaran with lunch	$180 per adult	Culebra Snorkeling Tour by Catamaran from Fajardo 2,721 reviews, 4.6 · Your ride to Puerto del Rey Marina is extra. The captain picks the beach; Flamenco isn't guaranteed. · dates and prices ↗
Private charter for your group	$1,520 per group	Full Day Charter from Fajardo to Culebra 158 reviews, 5.0 · The private charter starts at $1,520 per group of up to six. Transport to Fajardo is extra. · dates and prices ↗

The catch: Rough seas can change the island. Theo can divert to Vieques; the private charter can switch to Icacos and Palomino. If you cancel the ferry package from $80 per adult, you won't get a refund.

Before you go

Your return ferry and rental need booking ahead; carts sell out on weekends and holidays. Bring cash for the beach and leave refuge areas by 6 p.m.

Tours

Culebra tours and boat trips

Culebra and Flamenco Beach day trips 11 tours · from $80

Ferry packages put you on the island; boat days take you to reefs and beaches. The list separates what's included from the costs you still pay.

Snorkeling and catamaran sails 14 tours · from $39

Catamaran days include gear and lunch. You can compare them with snorkeling trips elsewhere in Puerto Rico when Culebra doesn't suit your route.

Boats, kayaks and jet skis 14 tours · from $30

Private charters let your group travel together. The wider boat list includes kayak trips and jet skis for days you stay on the main island.

Know before you go

Ferry rules

Visitors travel as foot passengers; your mainland rental can't go aboard. Advance visitor tickets are sold online or through the ferry app; ticket windows sell them on departure day. Boarding closes 10 minutes before sailing. The proposed $11.25 one-way non-resident fare isn't in force.

Carts and vans

A Jeep suits the hills to Zoni better than a cart. Públicos are shared vans that meet incoming ferries and flights. You don't need a rental for Flamenco alone. Agree on your return pickup before leaving the dock.

Flamenco fees

The gates open at 7 a.m. and close at 5:30 p.m. Camping costs $35 per tent per night and needs a reservation. Glass isn't allowed on the beach. The Flamenco Beach page covers facilities and swimming conditions.

Refuge hours

Public refuge areas close at 6 p.m. More than 30,000 pairs of sooty terns nest on the Flamenco Peninsula. Sea turtles nest on the beaches too. You mustn't chase or touch turtles, in the water or on shore.

Culebrita boats

Water taxis run from Dewey to Culebrita, with price set by each captain. Your return pickup needs arranging before you leave. The refuge has a trail map for the cay, but its lighthouse isn't open to visitors.

Hurricane season

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. Winter north swells can also disrupt your beach day. A red flag at Flamenco means you stay out. Leave room in your plans for a changed sailing.

Good to know