Culebrita Island and Lighthouse

About this place

A small uninhabited island east of Culebra, whose name means «little snake», protected within the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge, with empty white beaches, clear water and dry hills of cactus and scrub. On its highest hill stands an old stone lighthouse, one of the oldest in the Caribbean, now largely ruined but with its tower and walls standing; a short trail climbs to it, looking out over the surrounding islands and sea in shades of blue and green. Its best-known beach, Playa Tortuga, «turtle beach», is where sea turtles are sometimes seen grazing in the shallows. At its northern end, natural rock pools filled by the waves, known to visitors as «the baths», are lovely to sit in when the sea is calm. There are no services, so bring water, food and shade, and take all your rubbish back. Visitors arrive by water taxi from Culebra, or by kayak if experienced. Do not touch or stand on coral, do not feed or approach animals, and use reef-safe sunscreen. The sun is strong all year, so carry water, a hat and sunscreen.