How do you get to Vieques from San Juan?

Take the road to Ceiba for the ferry or fly from Isla Grande. Allow an hour for the crossing plus an hour at the terminal beforehand. The San Juan ferry tour includes transfers from $230 per person.

How much is the ferry to Vieques?

One way is $2 per person aged 13 to 59. Ages 4 to 12 and 60 to 74 pay $1 each way. Children under 4 and adults 75 or older ride free. Free tickets require a visit to the port counter with photo ID.

Do you need a car on Vieques?

You don't need one for an Esperanza stay with arranged taxis and tours. A rental helps you reach the refuge beaches on your own schedule. Golf carts can't handle every rough beach road. Reserve your vehicle before you travel; the island's fleets sell out.

Can you swim in Mosquito Bay?

No, swimming isn't allowed in Mosquito Bay. You visit after dark on a guided kayak tour. The clear-kayak option starts from $60 per adult aged 12 and older; your trip to Vieques costs extra. Dark nights near the new moon help you see the glow.

Is Vieques worth a day trip?

Yes, if you want a beach or snorkel day. A night on Vieques gives you more time for Mosquito Bay. The San Juan ferry tour combines the beach and bay from $230 per person with a late return. Its tandem kayaks have a combined weight limit of 380 pounds.

Which beaches on Vieques are open?

Sun Bay and Playa Caracas are open to visitors. La Chiva is another beach option; Playuela has access by trail. Much of the eastern refuge remains closed for ordnance cleanup. Follow posted closures when you arrive; an open beach doesn't give you access to the closed land beyond it.

Things to do in Puerto Rico › Places › Vieques

Vieques

ferry $2/adult one way · no bay swimming

Updated October 8, 2026 ferry fares and rules from Puerto Rico Ferry; refuge access from FWS

Vieques lies off Puerto Rico's east coast. You arrive by ferry from Ceiba or by small plane. Isabel Segunda has the ferry dock on the north coast. Esperanza faces south beside Sun Bay and near Mosquito Bay's glow. The wildlife refuge holds beaches and trails on both ends of the island. Book the ferry and your rental car early because both can sell out.

Getting there

Vieques: ferry fares and getting around

The ferry	the Ceiba crossing costs $2 each way for ages 13 to 59. It's $1 for ages 4 to 12 and 60 to 74; under 4 and 75 or older ride free. Allow an hour for the crossing and arrive an hour before departure.
By plane	small planes from San Juan's Isla Grande or Ceiba with Vieques Air Link. Most hops take under 25 minutes, leaving more time for your island stay.
Getting around	rental Jeeps and golf carts near the dock and airport. Reserve early because fleets sell out. Ride apps don't operate here; taxis are available.
Mosquito Bay	the brightest bioluminescent bay on record. Swimming isn't allowed; guided kayaks go out after dark. The Puerto Mosquito Trail leads to a viewing platform above the bay.
The refuge	17,771 acres with free entry on both sides of Vieques. Much of the eastern refuge is closed because unexploded ordnance remains during cleanup.
Sun Bay	a public beach beside Esperanza with restrooms and showers. Food kiosks and grills make a day here easier. Lifeguards and security staff are on site.

Day trip or stay

A day from Fajardo The morning snorkel boat takes five hours with lunch and gear included; the ride to the marina costs extra. It doesn't include Mosquito Bay after dark.
A night for the bay Mosquito Bay tours run after dark, so staying overnight spares you a rush for the return ferry. Nights near the new moon give you a darker sky.
Without a car Esperanza puts you beside the waterfront and near Sun Bay. Taxis cover your arrival; booked tours handle transfers between their meeting points and activities.

Map

Where Vieques is

Esperanza: 18.0977° N, 65.4746° W Directions in Google Maps Apple Maps OpenStreetMap

How to get there

By ferry from Ceiba The Ceiba terminal is 73.2 km by road from Old San Juan, or 45.5 miles. Your crossing takes an hour and costs $2 per adult aged 13 to 59 each way. Visitors buy advance tickets online or through the ferry app.
By plane Vieques Air Link connects Vieques with Isla Grande in San Juan and with Ceiba; most hops take under 25 minutes. Flying from Isla Grande saves you the road trip to Ceiba.
From the dock or the airport Taxis serve both arrival points; rentals are available nearby. A reserved pickup keeps your beach plans from depending on an available taxi. The eastern refuge entrance is on PR-997 at the km 3.2 marker.
With a tour The Vieques list compares six tours from $60 per adult. Some start on Vieques; others bring you across from the main island. The ferry day from San Juan includes island transfers and the bay at night.

On the island

Vieques beaches and the bay at night

The refuge beaches

Palms line the sand on Vieques. The Tapón Trail reaches Caracas Beach through mangroves. The Playuela Trail crosses dry forest and mangroves to Playuela Beach, giving you another walk to the sand.

Sun Bay

Grass and palms back Sun Bay beside Esperanza. Restrooms and showers make it a practical beach stop before your evening tour.

Mosquito Bay

A tour boat sits on Mosquito Bay after dark. The glow comes from tiny organisms that flash when the water moves. You watch from the boat; swimming isn't allowed.

The crossing

The main island sits across the water on the horizon. The ferry reaches Isabel Segunda on the north coast. A boat day handles the sea crossing for you.

With a guide

Boat day, kayak or ferry: six ways to see Vieques

Six ways to visit, lowest price first. Each row pairs a tour with its starting price and the travel you still need to arrange.

Clear kayak on Mosquito Bay	$60 per adult	Vieques island Biobay Kayaking Tour 491 reviews, 4.8 · 90 minutes; ferry or flight and your hotel extra. You meet across from Sun Bay 25 minutes before the tour. · dates and prices ↗
Bay kayak with local transfers	$69 per person	Vieques Puerto Rico Kayak Experience-The World Brightest BioBay 61 reviews, 4.8 · 90 minutes; crossing and hotel extra. Transport covers only the meeting point to the bay and back; food isn't included. · dates and prices ↗
Turtle snorkel from Vieques	$89 per person	Vieques: Sea Turtle Snorkeling Small-Group, Photos & Snacks 106 reviews, 4.9 · 2 hours; crossing and ride to the ceiba tree extra. There's no hotel pickup; gear and snacks are included. · dates and prices ↗
Snorkel boat from Ceiba	$134.92 per person	Snorkeling Tour to Vieques Island only 30 minutes away! 856 reviews, 4.9 · 4 hours from Roosevelt Roads Marina; your ride to Ceiba is extra. Check-in is 45 minutes early; children under 6 can't join. · dates and prices ↗
Morning boat day from Fajardo	$135 per person	Icacos or Vieques All-Inclusive Snorkel & Waterslide Boat Tour 2,929 reviews, 4.8 · 5 hours with lunch; your ride to Fajardo is extra at this price. The afternoon option goes to Icacos instead. · dates and prices ↗
Ferry and bay from San Juan	$230 per person	Vieques Bio Bay Tour and Beach Day Trip from San Juan by Ferry 226 reviews, 4.6 · Pickup at designated locations; ferry tickets and island transfers included. Lunch isn't included; you'll return late after the kayak tour. · dates and prices ↗

The catch: The kayak tours starting on Vieques don't include your crossing. Missing your tour inside the 24-hour cancellation window costs you the tour price. An overnight stay removes the return-ferry rush.

Before you go

Book your ferry both ways and reserve your car early. Closed refuge areas stay off limits by land and sea. You can't swim in Mosquito Bay.

Tours

Vieques tours and trips from the main island

Vieques tours 6 tours · from $60

The Vieques list compares boats from Ceiba and Fajardo with tours starting on the island. The San Juan ferry trip adds a beach stop before the night kayak.

Bioluminescent bay tours 12 tours · from $60

The bio bay list compares Mosquito Bay with Puerto Rico's other glowing bays. Your starting point matters: a kayak booked on Vieques doesn't get you there.

Snorkeling and catamaran sails 14 tours · from $39

The snorkeling list compares boat days with swims starting from shore. For Vieques, the morning Fajardo boat includes lunch; the turtle snorkel starts on the island.

Know before you go

Ferry rules

Arrive an hour before sailing. Ticket sales close 15 minutes before departure; boarding closes 10 minutes before. Sales are final, though you can move an unused ticket twice up to an hour before sailing. Children under 18 need an adult.

Your rental

Visitors can't bring rental cars on the ferry. A Jeep suits rough beach roads; a golf cart can't reach every refuge beach. Match your rental to your route before booking. You still need to stay on public roads.

Refuge rules

Closed areas can't be entered from land or sea. Drones are banned throughout the refuge. Camping and open fires aren't allowed; your dog needs a leash. You can't ride a bike or horse on the beaches.

Sun Bay

Sun Bay gives you beach time close to Esperanza, with food kiosks and restrooms if you're staying for the day. Wild horses also walk the sand.

The closed fort

Fortín Conde de Mirasol is closed for restoration above Isabel Segunda. Leave the museum out of your plans while you wait for the ferry.

Hurricane season

The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30. Unsafe seas can cancel boat tours or change their beach stops. Leave room in your stay for a different tour date.

Good to know