10 Best Beaches in Puerto Rico

With soft sand and blue waters, these beautiful beaches in Puerto Rico welcome surfing, sunbathing, swimming, and more.

Sailboat, Icacos Island, Puerto Rico — Photo:
Education Images/Getty Images

The Caribbean island of Puerto Rico is just a quick four-hour flight from New York City, but can feel an entire world away. Its lush landscapes, delicious food scene, and spectacular hotels make it a world-class destination. Plus, if you’re a U.S. citizen, you can travel there without a passport. But perhaps the best part about Puerto Rico is its gorgeous beaches, ideal for everything from surfing to sunbathing.

To help you plan your next visit to the island, we put together a list of 10 best beaches in Puerto Rico.

Luquillo Beach

Luquillo Beach is located about a 30-minute drive from the airport, meaning you’re not far from a sandy escape upon landing. The public beach is both stunning and popular, thanks to its coconut trees lining the sand and azure waters lapping the shore. Showers and bathrooms are available, making it easy to spend an entire day.

Sun Bay Beach

Sun Bay Beach, located on the island of Vieques off Puerto Rico’s eastern coast, takes a bit of work to reach, but once you’re there, you’ll see it’s all worth it. The beach is some two miles long, with every inch covered in soft, golden sand. No need to pack an umbrella, either, as there are massive palm trees providing just the right amount of shade.

Jobos Beach

Want to feel like a local? Spend the day at Jobos Beach, where you’ll find residents enjoying the bright blue waters as they surf or paddleboard into the waves. Join them with a lesson, or watch from the shore. There are also plenty of beach bars nearby if you're looking for a snack and fruit drink to add to the laid-back vibe.

Tortuga Beach

Playa Tortuga on Isla Culebrita, Puerto Rico — cdwheatley/Getty Images

Take an excursion to the island of Culebrita, where you’ll find Tortuga Beach, a breathtaking spot with sugar-soft sand and azure waves. It’s also a destination loved by sea turtles, who make their way here year after year to nest and enjoy the warm waters, too.

Sandy Beach

Those looking for a party will find just that at Sandy Beach in Rincon. Thanks to its privileged position near some of the best restaurants, bars, and coveted vacation rentals on the island, it’s a beach that typically comes with a crowd. It also happens to offer one of the best surf breaks in Puerto Rico, so expect to see a number of surfers paddling out, too.

Icacos

Icacos isn’t just one singular beach, but rather a tiny island (properly known as Cayo Icacos) that's worth the extra effort to reach. It’s only accessible by boat and completely uninhabited, so visitors should expect few frills. But what you'll get in exchange is complete peace and solitude from the outside world.

Ocean Park Beach

If you're staying in San Juan during your Puerto Rico vacation, make sure to take some time to visit the nearby Ocean Park Beach. It goes on for more than a mile, making it possible to find a large patch of sand just for yourself. It, too, is lined with lush, emerald-green vegetation for shade and butts up against that famous blue water, so no need to travel far outside the city for a little fun in the sun.

Escambrón Beach

Escambron Beach , San Juan, Puerto Rico — LeonU/Getty Images

Escambrón Beach is the ideal spot to spend a day if you’re not a fan of huge ocean waves or have little ones in your group. The beach is protected by an outer coral reef, making it more like a quiet lagoon. It’s also a popular choice for snorkeling as the local marine life appears to enjoy the calm waters just as much as you do, so make sure to either pack your equipment or rent some while en route to the shore.

Flamenco Beach

Flamenco Beach, located on the island of Culebra, is an Instagram icon. It’s yet another gorgeous stretch of white sand and gin-clear waters, and the waves here are also calm, making for an easy, breezy swim. Plus, it comes with the added bonus of “The Tank,” a vintage tank left over from the U.S. Navy’s occupation on the island, which has now been covered in graffiti and is slowly being reclaimed by the sea.

Crash Boat Beach

Find the best of everything at Crash Boat Beach, located along the northwestern coast of Puerto Rico. Yes, it, too, boasts turquoise waters for those looking to swim, snorkel, and surf. You'll find people having lots of fun here, thanks to its plentiful food kiosks, beach volleyball, and fishing pier. Make sure to stay until dusk to watch a Puerto Rican sunset to remember.

References:

Travel+ Leisure

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