Located in Culebra Puerto Rico, Zoni Beach is a beautiful place to visit, and should be on every beach lover’s travel bucket list.
With its white sands, clear blue water, and peaceful atmosphere, Zoni beach is a paradise. It stretches on for 1.6 kilometers along the North-western coast of Puerto Rico and the view just gets better and better the further you go.
Zoni Beach is a great place to get away from life and create plenty of memories to look back on, and you can set up your own activities very easily to really make the most of your time there.
So, here are the top 5 things that you must do when visiting Zoni Beach in Culebra.
Go Snorkeling And Enjoy The Underwater World
What better way to make the most of the sublime waters of Zoni Beach than to try snorkeling?
The sea stretches on as far as the eye can see and the water is warm and perfectly clear, so you’ll have plenty of space to enjoy snorkeling for as long as you like. There are not many rocks either, so you don’t have to worry about potential injuries in the water.
There are signs requesting that visitors do not disturb sea turtle nests, so do be aware of that, but otherwise, you will have free reign of the ocean and observing everything in it.
The clear waters are perfect for watching sea life and experiencing the tropical environment to its fullest. Snorkeling is a great activity to do with friends or as a family as well, so you can take a whole day to enjoy the aquatic splendors of Zoni Beach.
Walk Along The Zoni Beach And Take In The Scenery
If you are someone who appreciates beautiful scenery then you should definitely consider going for a walk along the shore to admire the entire expanse of the landscape.
When you walk to the south side of the beach, you can admire the palm trees and take a break in the shade. At the very end of the beach are some beautiful rock formations, so bring your beach shoes to climb a little higher and get the best view of the beach.
Unlike Flamenco Beach, Zoni Beach is much more secluded and quieter, especially the right side of the beach, so your stroll will be nothing but harmonious.
Zoni Beach is a great way to escape from the hustle and bustle of Puerto Rico for a day and spend some time relaxing, and a walk along the shore to further admire the landscape will not feel physically exerting at all.
Make The Most Of Your Time On Zoni Beach With A Picnic
As mentioned before, the sand and the view are both spectacular, so it is the perfect spot for a picnic.
As Zoni Beach has no amenities, like the majority of the beaches in Culebra, it is a good idea to bring your own, and bringing a picnic allows you to spend plenty of time having lunch or dinner in a tropical paradise.
There are plenty of stores you can visit to buy a great variety of foods, so stock up in advance and don’t be afraid to try something new!
Make sure that your picnic also includes plenty of fluids because you don’t want to risk becoming dehydrated under the sun.
Having extra sun lotion and hats is also a great idea to keep you as protected as possible. You could also choose to have your picnic under the shade of a palm tree. And after you’ve eaten, you could sunbathe for a bit before cooling off in the water.
Plan Some Fun Activities To Create Fond Memories
The huge expanse of Zoni Beach and its lack of crowds means that there is plenty of space for you to set up your own activities. You could bring kites and fly them over the beach, or play any number of racket or ball games.
And if you are visiting alone then you can enjoy a lighter activity, like reading, watching boats come in and out, or taking photographs. Choosing the beach for family fun or fun with friends is always rewarding though because you can participate in more activities.
The ocean is also great for some activities, such as having swimming races or going out in a kayak to explore more of the beach.
No matter what you choose to do, you’ll enjoy the beach to the max, but having fun activities to do with your loved ones will ensure you make memories to look back on fondly.
Relax On Zoni Beach While You Watch The Sun Set
We all agree that sunsets are beautiful, but watching the sun slowly go down on the white sand and clear waters of Zoni Beach is particularly glorious.
It also makes for some fantastic photo opportunities that you don’t get during the day when the sun is glaring. You can recline in the coolness of the evening and relax before heading back into the busier society beyond the beach.
If you are someone who truly appreciates natural beauty then you won’t get anything better than this tranquil, sublime moment on Zoni Beach.
You may feel tired out by the heat or a busy day of fun activities with your friends, so taking a moment to focus purely on rest and relaxation will definitely benefit you. And the night does not have to stop at the sunset either because you can participate in Culebra’s nightlife after leaving the beach.
Other Attractions Besides Zoni Beach On Culebra Island
Though Zoni Beach is breath-taking, there is also a lot more that you can do in Culebra.
As mentioned before, Flamenco Beach is another great day trip if you want to spend time relaxing by the water and basking in the seemingly endless sunshine. It is the most popular beach on Culebra Island and has also been recognized as one of the best beaches in the world, so it is definitely worth seeing and experiencing.
#1 Take In Some History
If you are a fan of history then it will interest you to know that Culebra actually served as a U.S. Naval base until 1975, and you can still go and see some of the base’s remains nowadays. You can find these remains along the shore of the town.
An iconic war tank is actually located on Flamenco Beach, so you can always combine two activities into one. These historical remains are great for photos and will allow you to reflect on the island’s past.
You can reflect further by visiting Culebra’s history museum, the Museo Histórico de Culebra. The exhibits are housed inside a previous Naval munition warehouse and some teach about the military’s control over the island.
#2 Get Involved With Nature
For nature lovers, Culebra is a paradise beyond its stunning landscape.
More than 20% of the island is actually preserved as a Natural Wildlife Refuge and has been for over a century. That is why you are warned not to disturb sea turtle nests: sea turtles are an endangered species that are protected on the island, as are some seabirds.
If you want to fully immerse yourself then you can take a water taxi from Culebra to a small, uninhabited island called Culebrita. This island is a part of the National Wildlife Refuge and has six remote beaches in total.
#3 Explore The Great Outdoors
And on the topic of nature, some of Culebra’s best sightseeing moments are outside. You can rent a jeep and spend the day driving about the island to take in all the sights, or you can patrol Culebra on foot.
Besides Zoni and Flamenco, other great beaches to visit include Carlos Rosario Beach, Playa Melones, Resaca Beach, and Brava Beach. You can’t get tired of beaches when they are all so beautiful. You can even go diving in the sea by booking a day with one of Culebra’s several scuba tour agencies.
#4 Try Out Hiking
With so many green hills, you can’t beat going for a hike across Culebra and taking in some views from the best vantage point on the island. So long as you avoid disturbing any nature reserves, feel free to explore as much of the landscape as possible.
With its total of ten beaches all surrounded by greenery and blue water, you can find many hidden gems to sightsee around the island. And if you feel yourself getting too hot then absolutely head into the closest indoor establishment to get a drink and escape the sun for a bit.
#5 Sample Some Tasty Cuisine
There is no need to worry about where you will eat, either, because Culebra has some great offerings. If you want to experience seafood on your trip to the island then try El Eden because it has so many dishes for you to enjoy and all their seafood products are fresh.
Another popular choice is Dinghy Dock, which is aptly named because you can find it down by the ferry canal. While you savor their fabulous Puerto Rican cuisine, you can watch the boats on the water and smell the sea air due to the open-air dining.
Our last recommendation is Restaurant Caracoles. This eatery is also down by the ferry port, so it is a great place to experience your first fresh meal in Culebra after getting off the boat.
Travel Tips When Visiting Zoni Beach
Though travel is starting to slowly open back up as COVID-19 restrictions ease, it is in your best interest to ensure that travel abroad is permitted both in your own country and in Puerto Rico. Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test is currently also required.
You want to be able to enjoy your trip to the fullest without worrying about potentially violating any restrictions, so make sure you have the green light to travel and then make the most of experiencing such a fantastic culture!
How To Reach The Island
The easiest way to reach Culebra from mainland Puerto Rico is by plane, and the island’s public-use airport is the Benjamin Rivera Noriega Airport. Your flight will most likely leave from an airport in Puerto Rico’s capital city, San Juan, such as San Juan Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport.
However, if you would prefer not to fly or just want to take in more of Culebra’s beauty as you approach it then you can take a ferry from Fajardo. This is an incredibly affordable option because one-way tickets cost, at this moment in time, just $2.25 per adult. Children aged between 3 and 11 travel for even less, with tickets costing just $1.00 per person. Infants aged 0-2 cost absolutely nothing.
Where To Stay In Culebra
After you arrive safely on the island, you’ll want to be sure that you have somewhere nice to stay. Fortunately, Culebra has plenty of options that you can easily book online prior to traveling.
Some great options include The Breeze USVI, Casa de Tortuga, Sea Gate Hotel, and Hix Island House. All these accommodations are high quality and have fantastic reviews, so you’ll be able to enjoy the island and also have somewhere clean and comfortable to spend your nights.
Conclusion
With so much to do and so much natural beauty to bask in, a trip to Culebra can’t be recommended enough, and especially a trip to Zoni Beach while you are there.
The majority of us choose hot, tropical locations for trips so that we can enjoy unforgettable beaches, and though it may just be sea, sand, and the horizon, Zoni Beach is one of the loveliest sights to see in Culebra.
You can spend almost all of your trip exploring and experiencing the island, but making time for an idyllic, relaxing beach day is also absolutely essential.