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Vieques National Wildlife Refuge

Vieques is an incredibly interesting island. While the central section of the island is home to locals and prime hotel and inn real estate, the eastern half of Vieques is almost entirely considered part of a wildlife refuge. As such, Vieques National Wildlife Refuge drives tourists to explore the wilds of this tiny Caribbean island.

However, you shouldn't do it alone! We will be your guide so you can be aware of things to do, what to pack, and what to expect in general. Here we go!

Beaches

The first thing you should know about the refuge is that there are so many things to do. Many of our guests have applauded the quality of the beaches on the east half of our island.

If you are interested in a guide to some of the best beaches on Vieques, we have an article for that too at the bottom of the page.

VWNR Hiking

Gorgeous hikes will take you through the tropical forest to some of the most gorgeous vistas you'll see on your vacation. Some of our guests' favorite hikes have been through the wildlife refuge, and it's easy to see why. Many of them guide you to the shoreline, to waterfalls, and even to a historical lighthouse!

While you can trek through the jungle yourself, it might be smart to go on an official hiking tour guide. Check out some of these options if you're curious.

Birdwatching

With over 190 different bird species flying around the island, hobbyists come from all over the world to get a snap of some of the more exotic kinds. If you love birdwatching, you should bring a camera, binoculars, and a bag of snacks for the trail.

Snorkeling

Snorkeling is a huge part of a vacation on Vieques. Not only can you view the forest animals, but you can also take your exploration to the waters. You can rent a snorkel at Jak's in Esperanza which is on the way to any of the VNWR beaches.

What animals live in the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge?

You'll see all sorts of animals when you travel to Vieques, some of which are endangered. On top of the 190 bird species, you have 22 reptile species, and around 15 mammal species living here.

Here is a list of the most notable:

Wild Horses

Clapper Rail (bird)

Ruddy Duck

Snowy Egret

Churri Coqui

Green Sea Turtle

Leatherback Sea Turtle

Cuban tree frogs

Green iguanas

Boa constrictors

Jamaican Fruit Bat

Fin Whale

Blue Whale

Humpback Whale

Remember to give these animals space. As pretty and interesting as some of them can be, they demand the utmost respect, otherwise you or the animal could get hurt.

What kinds of fish can you catch at Vieques National Wildlife Refuge?

While you can certainly see birds in the trees or horses in the wildlife refuge's fields, you can also interact with the fish. Snorkeling can give you a chance to see some of these colorful creatures, but you can also fish them for sport.

Typically this is done through shore fishing, but you can take a charter as well. Before you are allowed to do so, you need to make sure you have a Puerto Rico fishing license.

Here are some of the common fish you can catch:

Blue Marlins

Tuna

Wahoo

Sailfish

Huge Tarpons

Nonito

Come and see us

As you can see, Vieques National Wildlife Refuge has a lot of different things you can do. Between the diverse array of wildlife, the gorgeous scenery, and the diverse activities, there is a lot to love! When you arrive to Vieques, make this a focal point of your vacation.

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