Puerto Rico ⎮ Puerto Rico Islands ⎮ Ferries and Excursions to the Islands of Puerto Rico
Don't miss the dreamy Icacos Cay
Puerto Rico is an archipelago with offshore islands and cays, offering visitors the most pristine beaches with the clearest waters and superb snorkeling. If you prefer to enjoy a beach with fewer crowds and a natural landscape free of development, stay on this page to learn how to get to the islands. Whether you’re on a conservative budget or saving vacation dollars for a more pampering excursion, we discuss in detail the ways of getting to the beautiful islands of Vieques, Culebra, the Cordillera Keys, the cays of La Parguera, Gilligan’s Island and more.
Travel To Vieques from Puerto Rico
Budget Friendly Ferry Travel, Planning Free Excursions & Flight Options
Option 1: Book an Excursion to Vieques
If you won’t be staying overnight in Vieques, an excursion is an excellent way to get acquainted with the island without worrying about logistics. This tour offers a full-day excursion to explore the coastline of Vieques. The second tour listed meets in Ceiba, we have listed a transfer to Ceiba if staying in San Juan. The last tour listed offers transportation from San Juan.
Option 2: Fly to Vieques
The most convenient way of traveling to Vieques is by taking a flight.
- San Juan Airport to Vieques – $260 per person round trip. (low end). Booking is available at Booking.com
- Isla Grande Airport to Vieques – $200 per person round trip (low end). Airlines: Vieques Airlink, Air Flamenco
- Ceiba Airport to Vieques – $100 per person round trip. Airlines: Air Flamenco, Vieques Airlink
Option 3: Fly to Vieques and Take the Ferry Back
Convenient with $ Savings – Fly to Vieques and take the ferry back. Due to availability, getting a ticket back to the main island is much easier.
- San Juan Airport to Vieques – $140 per person round trip. (low end) plus $2.00 one-way ferry ticket.
- Isla Grande Airport to Vieques – $100 per person round trip (low end) plus $2.00 one-way ferry ticket.
- Ceiba Airport to Vieques – $50 per person round trip plus $2.00 one-way ferry ticket.
Option 4: Most Budget-Friendly Option
Take the ferry to Vieques from Ceiba Ferry Terminal – Cost: $4.00 per person round trip.
Distance to Ferry from tourist places
- From San Juan – 1.5 hour
- From Rio Grande – 40 minutes
- From El Conquistador Resort in Fajardo – 20 minutes
- From Luquillo – 25 minutes
Tips for Ferry travel from Ceiba to Vieques & Culebra
- Get to the terminal at least one hour before your departure time.
- Purchase a ticket online as soon as your desired dates become available. If you’re already on the island or can’t buy ahead online, go to the ticket office at the ferry terminal to purchase tickets days ahead of the days you prefer.
- If you want to travel to Vieques or Culebra on a holiday week, it will be harder to get a ticket since locals love going to the islands. If you have the vacation funds, consider booking a fun excursion to Vieques instead. This tour offers an all-day excursion to the beaches of Vieques.
- Be advised that you’re not allowed to take a car rental on the ferry; if you have one, you must park it in the ferry parking lot.
Travel To Culebra from Puerto Rico
Budget Friendly Ferry Travel, Planning Free Excursions & Flight Options
Option 1: Book an Excursion to Culebra
The excursions in Culebra are among the most sought-after and top-rated activities in Puerto Rico. Culebra offers the best snorkeling experiences, and for that reason alone, a boat excursion is highly recommended if your budget allows. If you wish to do an excursion, be sure to book today to secure a spot, especially if you’re traveling from December through July. Following are the top-rated excursions to Culebra.
Option 2: Fly to Culebra
The most convenient way of traveling to Vieques is by taking a flight.
- San Juan Airport to Culebra – From $260 per person round trip. (low end). Booking is available at Booking.com
- Isla Grande Airport to Culebra – From $200 per person round trip (low end). Airlines: Vieques Airlink, Air Flamenco
- Ceiba Airport to Culebra – From $100 per person round trip. Airlines: Air Flamenco, Vieques Airlink
Option 3: Fly to Culebra and Take the Ferry Back
Convenient with $ Savings – Fly to Culebra and take the ferry back. Due to availability, getting a ticket back to the main island is much easier.
- San Juan Airport to Culebra – $140 per person round trip. (low end) plus $2.00 one-way ferry ticket.
- Isla Grande Airport to Culebras – $100 per person round trip (low end) plus $2.00 one-way ferry ticket.
- Ceiba Airport to Culebra – $50 per person round trip plus $2.00 one-way ferry ticket.
Option 4: Most Budget-Friendly Option
Take the ferry to Culebra from Ceiba Ferry Terminal – Cost: $4.00 per person round trip.
Distance to Ferry from tourist places
- From San Juan – 1.5 hour
- From Rio Grande – 40 minutes
- From El Conquistador Resort in Fajardo – 20 minutes
- From Luquillo – 25 minutes
Tips for Ferry travel from Ceiba to Vieques & Culebra
- Get to the terminal at least one hour before your departure time.
- Purchase a ticket online as soon as your desired dates become available. If you’re already on the island or can’t buy ahead online, go to the ticket office at the ferry terminal to purchase tickets days ahead of the days you prefer.
- If you want to travel to Vieques or Culebra on a holiday week, it will be harder to get a ticket since locals love going to the islands. If you have the vacation funds, consider booking a fun excursion to Vieques instead. This tour offers an all-day excursion to the beaches of Vieques.
- Be advised that you’re not allowed to take a car rental on the ferry; if you have one, you must park it in the ferry parking lot.
La Parguera Nature Reserve - Lajas, Puerto Rico
Enjoy a fantastic day swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing on the crystal-clear waters of La Parguera Nature Reserve. At the village, there are restaurants and small shops. Stay until dark, to enjoy La Parguera’s bioluminescent bay, the only one in Puerto Rico where you’re allowed to swim. Depending on your budget and experience you wish to have, you have a few options to explore the mangrove cays.
Option 1: Book a Private Tour to La Parguera Cays
Option 2: Take a Water Taxi
At the village of La Parguera, there are water taxis available that will drop you off at Caracoles, Cayo Enrique or Mata La Gata. When you get dropped off, just let your captain know at what time you wish to return. We always go with Johnny Boats.
Option 3: Rent a Kayak or Small Boat
At the village, you’ll also see small boats and kayaks that you can rent to explore on your own.
Tours From San Juan
Travel To Gilligan's Island - Guanica, Puerto Rico
The mangrove cay, nicknamed Gilligan’s Island, is located in the town of Guanica on the south-west coast of Puerto Rico. If you’re staying on the west coast of the island, have small children, and wish to snorkel with them, Gilligan’s Island is the best island excursion.
Please Note: Currently, the only option is to book a private excursion. The tour meets at Copamarina Beach Resort. The water taxi is not running as of the last update we confirmed.
Itinerary Suggestion: Spend a day in Guanica and end the day swimming at La Parguera’s bioluminescent bay.
Option 1: Book a Guided Tour
Option 2 - Water Taxi
Note: The water taxi is currently not running.
A small private passenger ferry run by San Jacinto Restaurant operates from Tuesday to Sunday to Gilligan’s Island.
- The first trip leaves to Gilligan’s at 9 am, and the last pick up at Gilligan’s is at 5 pm. The ferry makes trips every half hour. Depending on the number of people, they may leave earlier or later.
- The cost is about only $10 p/p round-trip. There’s an additional fee for coolers.
Caja de Muertos - Ponce, Puerto Rico
On the southern coast of Puerto Rico, you can spend a splendid day at Caja de Muerto Island. In this nature reserve where you can enjoy swimming and snorkeling at Playa Pelicano, go hiking, and relax under the sun.
The only tour operator that we know is offering trips to Caja de Muertos is WaterLandAdventure.com
Bacardi Distillery from Old San Juan by Ferry
If you booked a tour to Casa Bacard Distillery, you can get there by taking the ferry from Old San Juan to Cataño. Head to Pier #2 in Old San Juan, then grab a taxi to Casa Bacard Distillery.
- Ride length: About 5 minutes.
- Itinerary: The ferry runs every 15 minutes seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and every 30 minutes on weekends and holidays.
- Fee: $0.50 one way
Map of Ferries in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico ⎮ Puerto Rico Islands ⎮ Ferries and Excursions to the Islands of Puerto Rico
