Vieques
Vieques, PR 00765-3139
Plan Your Visit
The Vieques NWR can be visited on both the western and eastern sides of Vieques and is open to the public year-round. Entrance fees are not required. Currently, a major portion of the eastern wildlife refuge is closed to the public due to the danger of unexploded ordnance and the clean-up process.
General Regulations:
- Keep pets on a leash.
- Obey traffic laws and speed limits.
- Commercial filming or photography requires a Special Use Permit.
- It is prohibited to use drones, camp, light open fires, drive off-road, or remove plants/animals.
Activities: Recreational activities include bicycling, hiking, horseback riding, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, environmental education, and interpretation. Visitors can also enjoy kayaking, fishing, snorkeling, and SCUBA diving at the beaches and lagoons.
Directions:
- Main Entrance – Eastern Side (Main Office): 18° 7'15.82"N / 65°26'15.83"W
- Main Entrance – Western Side (Punta Arenas): 18° 7'0.82"N / 65°33'5.46"W
- Main Entrance – Western Side (Monte Pirata): 18° 6'13.66"N / 65°33'12.59"W
- Main Entrance - Western Side (Playa Grande): 18° 5'36.97"N / 65°30'26.02"W
Entrance fees are not required.
Get Involved
Volunteers play an important role in conserving our wildlife and teaching the community. Opportunities include working in the Visitor Center, environmental education, maintenance, and the biology program. No special skills are needed, and volunteers of all backgrounds are welcome.
Services
Visitor opportunities include a Visitor Center, access to diverse forests, beaches, trails, and boat ramps. Public activities include bicycling, hiking, horseback riding, wildlife observation, photography, environmental education, kayaking, paddle-boarding, fishing, snorkeling, and SCUBA diving at beaches and lagoons. Special Use Permits are available for commercial activities, research, and specific events.
About
The Vieques National Wildlife Refuge was established from former Navy managed lands to preserve dry forest and wetland ecosystems for migratory birds and endangered species. It is the most ecologically diverse and largest refuge in the Caribbean, uniquely featuring a subtropical moist forest. Beyond its biological value, the refuge protects historical Taino and sugar cane era resources. Management currently focuses on habitat restoration and land cleanup in partnership with various agencies and the local community.