Beaches, Diving & Other Pursuits
The island's most popular and best beach is Flamenco Beach, a mile-long (1.6km) horseshoe-shaped cove on the northwestern edge. It's popular partly because of its nearness to Dewey, partly because of its soft sands. If you find Flamenco too crowded, all you need do is walk over the hill to Playa Carlos Rosario. The sands here aren't quite as good as those at Flamenco, but the snorkeling is even better in these clear waters. A barrier reef protects this beach, so you are almost guaranteed tranquil waters. Snorkelers can also walk south from Playa Carlos Rosario for 1/4 mile (.4km) to a place called "The Wall". There are 40-foot (12m) drop-offs into the water where you are likely to see schools of fish gliding by.
The isolated Zoni Beach is a 1-mile (1.6km) strip of sand flanked by large boulders and scrub. Located on the island's northeastern edge, about 7 miles (11km) from Dewey (Puebla), it's one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. Snorkelers, but not scuba divers, find it particularly intriguing; despite the surf that makes underwater visibility a bit murky during rough weather.
Known for its beautiful corals, unspoiled underwater vistas, and absence of other divers, Culebra is what the Caribbean used to be before crowds of divers began exploring the sea. At least 50 dive sites, all around the island, are worthwhile. Culebra Divers, Calle Escobar 138 (tel. 787/742-0803), offers a resort course for novice divers, including training in a sheltered cove and a tank dive in 15 to 20 feet (4.6-6.1m) of water ($95). Full PADI certification costs $550 and requires 4 days of participation in both classroom and ocean experience. Certified divers pay $95 for a two-tank open-water dive. The outfitter provides all the equipment you need for any of the dive experiences. It's rare that more than six divers go out in one of these boats on any day.
Kayak trips are offered by Jim Petersen's Oceans Safaris, Calle Escudero 189, Dewey (tel. 787/379-1973). Kayaks for can be rented for $60 per day the first day, $40 afterwards, and Jim will tell you the best spots to enjoy this sport. He also offers a full-day tour for $105, taking you to such remote islets as Isla Culebrita or Cayo Luis Peña.
