PAGE 12 • SPRING 2009 THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SAILING ASSOCIATION SPRING 2009 • PAGE 13
SAILING DESTINATION
Puerto Rico and the Spanish Virgin Islands • Story by Jo Anne Richardson
restaurants to explore.
Outside of the San Juan metro area,
check out, to the east, El Yunque, the
only tropical rainforest in the United
States Forest system; in the central
region, Río Camuy Cave Park, the third
largest ground water cave system in the
world; Arecibo Observatory, an
astronomy and planetary studies
research center; and the town of Ponce
with its striking architecture and
internationally renowned Museum of
Art of Ponce.
Sailing Heaven
After checking out the cultural,
shopping and outdoor opportunities on
Puerto Rico, it’s time for a sailing
adventure. For most of the year, the
weather in the Puerto Rican
archipelago is pleasant, with steady
winds and temperatures in the Photos courtesy of Puerto Rico Tourism Company (Above) Puerto Rico’s rich culture is a
seventies in the winter to the eighties draw for visators. (Below) W ith so many historic sites, architectural visits are a must.
in summer. During winter, northeast
trade winds average 15 – 18 knots;
Culebra itself is the smallest of the
The Spanish Virgin Islands offer deep-water cruising with an however, December winds often blow in
inhabited islands. It is arid, meaning
unspoiled quality for the tranquility seeker. stronger. Summer weather is more
there is no run-off from streams or
Photo courtesy of Puerto del Rey, Inc. predictable, but hurricane season runs
rivers, helping to keep the waters clear.
from July to October.
And because the coastline and one
third of the interior is the Culebra
The Old Caribbean
Rico, a U.S. territory, no passport is communities in the archipelago.
To start, take a taxi or rental car from
National Wildlife Refuge (overseen by
For a sailing vacation that transports
required. Travel to the islands is easy
San Juan to Fajardo on the eastern tip
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
xciting Culture
you to the Caribbean of forty years ago,
because of the no passport requirement
E
of the island (about an hour’s drive,
pristine coral reefs, a large variety of
don’t miss an opportunity to visit
(for Americans) and the numerous
Before starting your sailing adventure, depending on traffic). At Marina Puerto
fish, endangered sea turtles, and a
Puerto Rico and the Spanish Virgin
direct flights from the U.S. mainland to
a stay on the island of Puerto Rico, is Del Rey in Fajardo, you’ll find a
large colony of seabirds are protected.
Islands (SVI) – also known as the
San Juan, the Puerto Rican capital.
highly recommended. For example, you number of charter companies,
Passage Islands. These islands provide
may want to fly in, spend a few days including Caribe Yacht Charters, which
After a day sailing, exploring local
great sailing opportunities in crystal The relative lack of development in
exploring, then head off for a week of also has a base in Culebra.
waters, and walking Culebra’s beautiful
Playa Flamenco, anchor in Ensenada
clear waters, without loads of tourists these islands is due, in large part, to
island hopping.
Honda on the south side. The entry to
or un-checked development. The charm the presence of the United States
A Jewel Called Culebra
Ensenada Honda is well marked but is
of the SVIs is not just their hard-to- government. For over sixty years, parts
In San Juan, tour Old San Juan, the
There are two choices when departing
small and surrounded by coral reefs.
beat location, but their quiet harbors, of Culebra, and later, Vieques, were
historic colonial section of the city.
Fajardo - head east toward Culebra, or
It’s best to pay careful attention,
friendly locals and exceptional sailing used as Navy gunnery and bombing
This picturesque area contains some of
southeast to Vieques. If you head to
particularly in strong winds, when
grounds. practice sites. Because of the extended
the most striking architecture in the
Culebra, you’ll see the island of
entering or leaving this winding harbor.
Navy presence and a large refuge
Caribbean, much of it dating back to
Palomino, an excellent snorkeling spot
Located just east of the island of located on Culebra, much of the
the sixteenth and seventeenth
and then Cayo Luis Peña, a two-mile-
In Dewey, a pleasant town of 2,000
Puerto Rico, the islands consist of islands were left untouched by
centuries. The pastel facades, wrought
long wildlife refuge that is a great
located at the head of Ensenada Honda,
Vieques, Culebra and numerous smaller developers. Although the Navy pulled
iron balconies and cobblestone streets
anchorage and a short dinghy ride from
you won’t find resorts or nightclubs.
islands and cays. Because they are a out in 2003, there are still no large
give the area a unique appearance.
Culebra’s reefs.
You will find a few locally-owned bars,
part of the Commonwealth of Puerto scale hotels, resorts, or residential
Plus there are many shops and
continued on next page
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