Is a Half-Day Snorkeling Trip to Vieques Worth It?

If you’re looking for prime snorkeling in Puerto Rico, the islands of Culebra and Vieques are always at the top of the list. But if you want to snorkel at Vieques without having to spend the night, there are options—particularly a half-day tour with Pure Adventure.

After realizing that my vacation itinerary wouldn’t realistically allow an overnight stay on Vieques, I booked this 4-hour snorkel tour through Viator. Initially, I was a bit hesitant about the price. After all, $135 per person for 4 hours seemed kind of high. But after taking the tour, I can confidently say it was worth every penny.

 

From a nearly private beach experience to snorkeling with sea turtles, exploring crystal-clear waters, and getting my fill of Puerto Rican snacks and drinks, this tour delivered on every level.

So if you’re looking for a short day trip excursion to fit your itinerary or just a beginner-friendly snorkel experience in Puerto Rico, keep reading to learn more about this Vieques Island tour!

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Booking the Tour (Viator + Pure Adventure)

 

As I mentioned, I booked this tour through Viator, which is one of my favorite platforms for booking activities, thanks to the rewards program, free cancellation, and reserve now, pay later options. Whenever I take a trip, this is the first place I tend to look because there are so many safeguards against fake tours, and plenty of reviews. (Get Your Guide is also a fantastic option.)

Ultimately, I ended up booking Pure Adventure’s tour because:

1. The reviews were fantastic (4.8 stars)

2. They were one of the few tours offering a half-day snorkel option

3. The reviews for many of the other tours to Culebra mentioned that they rerouted to Vieques anyway due to the weather

 

Again, at $135 per person, I was cringing just a little bit, but it ended up being a way better deal than I initially expected! The tour included boat transportation from Ceiba to Vieques, all snorkel gear (including flotation devices if needed), snacks, food, and drinks (including an open bar at the end), and a guided snorkeling portion.

In the end, the price didn’t seem all that bad, especially when the crew went above and beyond to create a positive experience. It was right between budget and luxury, which felt like a very happy medium.

My Pure Adventure Snorkeling Experience

Check-In & Departure from Ceiba

 

Now, because this is a half-day tour (and the fact that snorkeling is usually best in the morning), my day started pretty early.

Check-in was at 7:15 am to ensure everyone was ready to go and at the dock at 8. During that time, I checked in with the staff, signed my waivers, and browsed the small merch shop. There are restrooms on-site (definitely use them before the tour if you don’t like boat restrooms) and several picnic tables where I could chill or even eat breakfast while waiting for the tour to officially start.

Once everyone checked in, we all got back in our cars and followed the guide to the dock (about 3 minutes away) and parked in the free ferry parking lot.

From there, it was quick work to get everyone on the boat (there were fewer than 20 people total) and start the beautiful, 30-minute journey from Ceiba to Vieques.

 

Free Snorkeling at Playa Punta Arenas

 

Just 30 minutes after leaving Ceiba, we docked off the coast of Vieques at Playa Punta Arenas on the island’s west tip. This small beach was tucked away, and we had it almost entirely to ourselves, with only two other boats in sight!

 

Now, due to recent hurricanes, Playa Punta Arenas doesn’t have much of a beach—but we were here to snorkel, and it’s the perfect location for it! (The crew did ask us to leave all the sand and shells because the island needs all of it to rebuild.)

The crew fitted everyone with masks and snorkels, and those who wanted flotation devices and fins could grab those, too. However, the water was so calm and shallow that I opted just for the mask and snorkel. Plus, it was salty enough that it was almost hard to dive below the surface without being pushed back up.

Playa Punta Arenas has an extensive reef system just offshore, home to thousands of tropical fish. It’s a rocky reef with multiple levels and tons of crevices, so my head was constantly on swivel trying not to miss anything!

 

I saw fish in all sizes and colors, and some people in our group even saw a ray at the far end! I unfortunately missed that, but I did find this adorable blue fish in the shallows.

 

We had about an hour to enjoy this shallow reef at our leisure. This gave any beginners a chance to get used to the equipment in a calm, controlled environment. It was easy to stand up in a lot of spots, but deep enough in others to swim over the reef, so it was a good balance.

Heavy Snacks on the Boat

Around 10:30 am, the crew called everyone back on board for a “snack,” which was really more like an early lunch! They treated us to delicious wraps (I got chicken salad, and I believe there was a vegetarian option, too), plus fried plantain chips, fresh fruit, and sodas. It was the perfect way to refuel after an hour of sun and snorkeling.

 

Second Snorkel Stop: Guided Deep-Water Snorkeling

 

After lunch, the crew moved the boat to deeper waters and gave us a more in-depth safety briefing to prep us for the guided snorkel. Because the water was so much deeper, I opted for fins, but still didn’t feel the need for a flotation device. However, they had plenty for anyone who wanted them, and most people in the group grabbed a flotation belt or noodle just in case.

I was once again amazed at how clear the water was, and I could see all the way to the bottom without any issue!

The environment in this deeper area was different, with less rocky reef and more plant life. The fish also changed, with larger schools circling or clustering around the plants. In some areas, the fish were so densely packed onto the sea plants that I thought they were leaves at first!

 

But the highlight of this part was the sea turtles! We saw several sea turtles resting on the bottom and swimming around, which was absolutely amazing.

 

Now, I will say that this part was much less peaceful than the free swim. Because the whole group was swimming together to follow the guide, it felt rather crowded, and I got kicked by others in the group more than once who were getting used to their fins or just unaware of their surroundings.

Eventually, I moved all the way to the side of the group to give myself more space and visibility, and that was a smart move. There were no people or bubbles blocking my view, and I was able to watch the area more freely. Plus, when we spotted the sea turtles, I was able to swim around the masses to move closer.

It wasn’t a bad experience by any means, but I definitely preferred the free snorkeling period.

Post-Snorkel Snacks & Open Bar

 

After the guided snorkel, we had the option to swim around the deep area at our leisure, and I definitely took the opportunity to explore a bit more without the crowds. It was much calmer, and I was able to go at my own pace.

The crew also opened up the second-level deck for people to jump off the boat, which was a hit with kids and adults alike.

During this time, the crew also set up a second round of snacks, complete with an open bar and as many sodas and snacks as we wanted! I’m not sure all the drinks they were offering (I heard rum and Coke and margaritas), but they also had plenty of sodas and water. And the snacks ranged from candy like passion fruit pops to madeleines. We could have as many as we wanted, which was an unexpected treat!

The Return to Port

 

We enjoyed our drinks and snacks on the way back to port, which took about 30 minutes once again. We were back at noon, leaving plenty of daylight for more exploring—or in my case, a 3-hour roadtrip through Puerto Rico’s beautiful mountains to Ponce.

The whole trip took just 4 hours, yet it was packed with fun and memories!

Now, the only downside of the entire trip was that the office was closed when we returned (the crew had to stay and take care of the boat), so I had nowhere to change out of my wet swimsuit.

If I had been staying in Ceiba, this wouldn’t have been an issue. But if you plan to drive to San Juan, or anywhere else that’s more than a few minutes away, you may have to find a gas station bathroom or just “deal with it.” Alternatively, you can plan some beach time nearby at Fajardo or Luquillo!

Is the Pure Adventure Vieques Snorkeling Tour Worth $134?

 

I know, I know—I already answered this question in the intro, but I want to recap here. While I was initially hesitant about the price, I was expecting just a couple of hours of free snorkeling and maybe some fruit or chips partway through.

But I feel like Pure Adventure almost overdelivered by the end of the day. Between 2 snorkel locations, the ample food and drinks, all included equipment, the effortless transportation, and the awesome crew, the price was fully justified. I saw some other tours offering this same kind of package for way more money, and I really wasn’t expecting the level of service we got.

So if you’re looking for a short, family and beginner-friendly snorkel tour in Puerto Rico’s east side, I think this is a fantastic option. It was fun, efficient, and chill enough for first-timers without sacrificing quality for more experienced snorkelers. And, especially if you don’t want to stay overnight on the island or spend a full day on the water, you’ll still get a full day’s worth of fun.