787dailyPuerto Rico, en inglés
Morning Brief

Vieques, Vieques

Vieques south-shore reefs

Vieques' south shore. An overview of the area's sites.

Depth
40–100 ft (12–30 m)
Entry
Boat
Level
No source states a level
Visibility
Water
Approximate: the dot marks Vieques / Esperanza, not the dive site. No operator publishes site coordinates.

What's down there

  • Reef
  • Swim-through

Named sites

  • Patti's Reef: Beginner-friendly (PADI blog)
  • Angel Reef: Old Spanish anchors (PADI blog)
  • Isla Chiva: A three-acre islet about 200 yards out, with a reef on its western side; NOAA warns boats not to transit or anchor around it (unexploded ordnance) (Vieques.com)
  • Also named, with no details published: Anchor Reef, Biplane, Bucky, Blue Tang Reef, Castle, Cayo Afuera, Cayo Blanco, Doughnut, Esperanza Pier, Horseshoe, La Lanchita, Lobster Reef, Twilight Zone (Vieques.com)

When to go, and when not to

Hazards

  • NOAA: unexploded ordnance was reported in 2013 about 600 yards south of Bahía de la Chiva, around Isla Chiva; "Vessels are cautioned not to transit or anchor around Isla Chiva" (NOAA U.S. Coast Pilot 5)
  • Unexploded munitions remain in the seafloor off the former Navy ranges; the GAO describes one underwater site of about 11,500 acres from shore to 10 to 15 ft deep (U.S. GAO)
  • The Navy expects about 15 more years of underwater removal (May 2025); the boundaries of closed waters were not found (U.S. Navy briefing on Vieques)

Emergency numbers and the jellyfish days: diving safety.

Who dives it

  • Black Beard's boat dives are temporarily unavailable; Sea Ventures runs two-tank Vieques trips from Fajardo (Black Beard Sports)

In the 787daily Guide: Vieques / Esperanza, with today's conditions.

Sources

Sources (7)

Seen something different on a dive here? Tell us.