10 Best Beaches in Puerto Rico

The Caribbean island of Puerto Rico is a four-hour flight from New York City, but it can feel like an entire world away. Its lush landscapes, delicious food, and spectacular hotels make it a world-class destination. Plus, if you’re a U.S. citizen, you can travel there without a passport and still feel like you're abroad.

But the best part about Puerto Rico is arguably its gorgeous beaches — the white sand, year-round warmth, and tropical scenery make coastal Puerto Rico the perfect place to surf, sunbathe, and wade in the turquoise waters. Inspired to pack your swimsuit and book a flight? Here are 10 of the best beaches in Puerto Rico.

Luquillo Beach

Luquillo Beach is about 30 miles from San Juan's Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport, so you won't be far from a sandy escape if you arrive via Puerto Rico's vibrant capital. The public beach is stunning thanks to the coconut trees that line the sand and azure waters lapping the shore. Needless to say, the place stays busy. Showers and bathrooms are available, so you can easily spend the day here on a side trip from San Juan.

Sun Bay Beach 

Sun Bay Beach, located on the island of Vieques off Puerto Rico’s eastern coast, takes a bit of work to reach, but once you’re there, you’ll see it’s all worth it. The beach is about a mile long and covered in soft, golden sand. No need to pack an umbrella, as there are massive palm trees providing just the right amount of shade. Sun Bay Beach has a snack shack called Arenamar SunBay's Cafe serving up fresh Caribbean cuisine and ice-cold piña coladas.

Jobos Beach

Want to feel like a local? Spend the day at Jobos Beach on the northwest coast, where you’ll find residents surfing and paddleboarding in the bright blue waters. Join in with a lesson from Jobos Surf Venture House, or watch the action from the shore. There are also plenty of laid-back, open-air beach bars like Kai nearby if you're looking for a snack, a fruity beverage, or a bucket of lime-topped Coronas to enjoy under the Puerto Rican sun.

Tortuga Beach

On the remote and uninhabited island of Culebrita, Tortuga Beach is a breathtaking spot with sugar-soft sand, shallow pools, and azure waves. There isn't much around besides beautiful nature to keep tourists entertained — and the spot is only accessible by boat — which means this place stays relatively uncrowded. It’s also known for its population of sea turtles, who make their way here year after year to nest and enjoy the warm waters. (Remember, when turtles are nesting, keep a respectful distance and avoid using flash photography.)

Sandy Beach

Those looking for a party will find just that at Sandy Beach in Rincón. Thanks to its privileged position near some of the best restaurants, bars, and coveted vacation rentals on the island, it’s a beach that typically comes with a crowd. It also happens to offer one of the best surf breaks in Puerto Rico, so expect to find lots of people paddling out. Note, however, that the choppy water that attracts surfers can be dangerous to swim in sometimes.

Icacos

Icacos isn’t just one singular beach, but rather a tiny island (properly known as Cayo Icacos) that's worth the extra effort to reach. East of the mainland, Icacos is accessible only by boat and completely uninhabited, so visitors should expect few frills. But what you'll get in exchange is complete peace and solitude from the outside world. You'll see an array of marine life if you snorkel here, as the island and surrounding waters are part of La Cordillera Reef Nature Reserve.

Ocean Park Beach

If you're staying in San Juan during your Puerto Rican getaway, take some time to visit the nearby Ocean Park Beach. It goes on for more than a mile, giving you a good chance of finding a vacant patch of sand to claim for yourself. It, too, is lined with lush, emerald-green vegetation and abuts that famous blue water, so no need to travel far outside the city for a little fun in the sun.

Escambrón Beach

Also close to San Juan, Escambrón Beach is the ideal spot to spend a day if you have little ones in your group or you’re just not a fan of huge ocean waves. The beach is protected by an outer coral reef, making it more like a quiet lagoon. The reef draws a bounty of marine life, meaning this beach is also a popular choice for snorkeling; make sure to pack your equipment or rent some while en route to the shore. 

Flamenco Beach 

Flamenco Beach, located on the island of Culebra, is an Instagram icon. It’s yet another gorgeous stretch of white sand and gin-clear waters, and the waves here are also calm, making for an easy, breezy swim. Part of its allure for Instagramers is the smattering of old tanks that have sat on the sand since the U.S. Navy occupied the island. They're now covered in graffiti and are slowly being reclaimed by the sea. 

Crash Boat Beach

Find the best of everything at Crash Boat Beach, located along the northwestern coast of Puerto Rico. In addition to turquoise waters prime for swimming, snorkeling, and surfing, it also has plentiful food kiosks, a beach volleyball court, and a fishing pier. It's one of the west coast's most popular beaches, so expect to share the landscape with fellow sun and saltwater seekers. Stay until dusk to watch a Puerto Rican sunset to remember.