The Puerto Rico Archipelago By Luxury Yacht
Ignite your wanderlust and discover the otherworldly Puerto Rico Archipelago, home to spectacular bioluminescent bays, lush rain forests, and pristine white-sand beaches. SeaDream’s small ship yachting journeys explore this tiny corner of paradise, nestled off the coast of Puerto Rico.
From the Beauty of Old Town San Juan Puerto Rico, a city known for luxury yacht charters (yacht San Juan Puerto Rico) to the 28,000-acre tropical rainforest El Yunque, the island of Puerto Rico is unmatched for its rich mix of Spanish Colonial heritage and natural charm. The Puerto Rico Virgin Islands, also known as the Spanish Virgin Islands, is defined by its tiny islands of Culebra and Vieques, part of the of the larger Virgin Islands Archipelago. Accessible only by ferry, foot, small sailing vessel, or yachts like SeaDream I and SeaDream II, these idyllic islands are among the most secluded in the Caribbean and, arguably, the world.
On these Caribbean yachting escapes, elegant SeaDream yachts anchor in the most exclusive harbors of the Puerto Rico Archipelago, where big ships can't go. Indulge in seamless yacht-to-beach adventures across the untouched beauty of the islands—with every moment crafted to help you linger longer, explore differently, and journey in true yachting style.
Culebra Island, Puerto Rico Archipelago
An 11-square-mile island off the northeast coast of Puerto Rico, Culebra is home to the small adjacent uninhabited islands of Culebrita Puerto Rico and Cayo Norte to the east and Luis Peña to the west. Culebra’s breathtaking beautiful Flamenco Beach regularly appears on lists of the “World’s Best Beaches.” Lounge on the island’s pristine beaches or join one of our Yachting Land Adventures to go snorkeling or paddleboarding. Following your day exploring Culebra, SeaDream takes you to nearby Vieques Island that evening for a Bioluminescent Bay Encounter, where you can kayak in bioluminescent waters filled with glittering sea organisms.
Culebrita Island
Sitting pretty just one mile east of the island of Culebra lies the tiny island of Culebrita Puerto Rico, a nature lover’s paradise and part of the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge. There are only six beaches on this island, each home to a distinct species of wildlife, from the green sea turtle to the brown pelican. Two shallow lagoons bordered by mangrove fringe serve as an important wetland habitat for local wildlife.
Because of its special status, the only permanent structure you'll find on the island is the abandoned lighthouse high on the hill; for the energetic, the trail hike up there is well worth the views over the surrounding area. The island's beaches are also nesting grounds for green sea turtles; although you’ll want to avoid their nesting areas, you just might spot one of them in the water.
Esperanza, Vieques Island
The small island of Vieques, located just off the east coast of Puerto Rico’s main island, is perhaps the most pristine island in all of Puerto Rico. Guests have the option to lounge on the white-sand Esperanza Beach in Esperanza Puerto Rico, or enjoy a short walk from the beach to Cayo Adentro, where a hiking trail provides scenic views from the top. Vieques is home to the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world, Mosquito Bay, and we offer guests the opportunity to kayak in these rare waters.
Vieques is a National Wildlife Refuge and quickly gaining the attention of discerning travelers and yachting enthusiasts alike. Because of the lack of human interference, most of the areas previously closed off to travelers by the Navy feature over 40 gorgeous beaches, and many natural ecotourism locations available for exploration. Blue Beach features an excellent place for snorkeling and the island’s Bioluminescent Bay has quickly become known to discerning travelers for its notorious glowing dinoflagellates. The island is also home to free-roaming feral paso fino horses.
Fajardo Bay, Puerto Rico
Surrounded by islands and cays, the Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve, and pristine beaches, Fajardo Bay offers much to discover. Explore the picturesque coastline via your yacht’s mountain bikes, pausing to unwind at the crescent-shaped Seven Seas Beach. Sample the gastronomy of the east coast and visit the fishing town of Las Croabas, where the locals go to indulge in seafood. SeaDream I and SeaDream II may just be the only commercial vessels to call on Fajardo Bay, anchoring just off the luxe El Conquistador Resort. Play resort golf, go scuba diving, or try night kayaking through its world-renowned bioluminescent bay. The long and narrow canal that leads to the otherworldly glow-in-the-dark phenomenon makes this unique body of water a lagoon perfect for an evening adventure.
For those who live for the game, El Conquistador Resort Puerto Rico offers a golf course with a driving range, putting green, and chipping area. The course also has four sets of tees to adjust the challenge level. Other amenities include Cleveland clubs and golf carts for all golfers, and private lessons from PGA golf professionals, reserved in advance.
Cruz Bay, St. John, U.S. Virigin Islands
Close by the Puerto Rico Archipelago sits the tiny island of St. John. For those who may not be familiar with this secret Caribbean gem, St. John the smallest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, sitting just east of St. Thomas and approximately 80 miles east of San Juan, Puerto Rico, a favored embarkation point for luxury yachts in San Juan Puerto Rico.
Who would have known that a tiny Caribbean island could also be a national park? Occupying two-thirds of St. John, the territory’s namesake national park shines with gorgeous white-sand beaches and vibrant coral reefs, beckoning exploration. Virgin Islands National Park boasts both land and marine ecosystems, including moist forests, salt ponds, mangroves, seagrass beds, and more. Redefining off the beaten track, St. John is often considered the “most virgin” of the U.S. Virgin Islands, with an unspoiled beauty and local charm that is hard to match.
With SeaDream Yacht Club, St. John’s intimate yachting harbor of Cruz Bay as your entrée to the island, where you can snorkel Trunk Bay’s underwater guided trail or enjoy a hike to Caneel Bay, stopping at secluded Honeymoon Beach for a quiet swim.
Are you ready to experience the hidden gems of the Puerto Rico Archipelago and surrounding islands on a luxury yacht cruise? SeaDream provides you with an intimate view of these destinations unlike any other boutique travel line. Click here to check availability and reserve your next voyage.