What to Know / About Us!
What to Know Before You Book:
Where to Meet Us / Quick Facts!
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All of our Vieques snorkeling tours set sail from the beautiful, remote island of Vieques, Puerto Rico. We do not pick up or drop off on the main island.
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Our booking agent will email the location and directions to your pickup spot after you have booked, as this changes depending on the season.
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For our high season (December 15th to May 1st) you must have your OWN VEHICLE to get to our location, as taxis don't come out this far into the wildlife refuge!
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Tours outside of our high season dates are not always offered, so make sure to come during winter or spring to catch a sail with us!
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During our extreme peak weeks (December 15 to January 3), we prioritize bookings for full day private charters first. Online booking availability for half day private tours will open (if there is still space) on December 1st, and online availability for half day group tours will open on December 15.
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Make sure to call us if you don't see availability; we might still have space! If not, we operate a standby list for days where we are fully booked so that, in the event a party cancels their tour, we can open it up to guests who are ready to snap it up!
What to Bring
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Bathing suit
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Non-aerosol reef safe sunscreen (a swim shirt or rash guard is even better!)
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Towel
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Sunglasses
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Water safe shoes to board the dinghy
Skill Level / Mobility Requirements​​​​
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All of our Vieques snorkeling tours take place on exclusive, remote, open-water coral reefs only accessible by boat, so there’s nowhere to stand or touch the bottom. Because of this, we consider it an intermediate-level snorkel tour. If you’re new to snorkeling, we highly recommend practicing beforehand. Many first-timers join us and have an amazing experience, but a little practice goes a long way, especially during our most popular months (December–March), when the famous winter tradewinds blow through!​
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That said, rest easy: nobody walks the plank! If you decide not to snorkel, or if you hop in and realize it’s not for you, you’re welcome to simply float or lounge around in Caribbean bliss and enjoy unlimited drinks, snacks, and sunshine aboard our classic sailboat. Don't forget to ask for our bluetooth speaker to play your favorite tunes!
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We provide inflatable float vests for anyone who wants a little extra buoyancy in the water, but strong swimming skills are still required—we cover a good distance along a large reef.​
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Because there’s no dock at our remote location, boarding happens from a dinghy/tender up a vertical 4-foot ladder onto the sailboat. On windy days, this can be challenging for guests with mobility concerns. If you have any mobility or balance issues, please call us before booking so we can make sure you’re fully informed and comfortable with the requirements. If you arrive for your tour and our captain determines it’s unsafe for you to board due to mobility concerns, you may be turned away without refund for your safety. We’re always happy to chat by phone to help you prepare, and we offer trip insurance for anyone who prefers the peace of mind of last-minute cancellation flexibility.
Weather​​​​
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We will always call you to reschedule your tour (or cancel your tour with a full refund) if the weather will prevent safe sailing or if there will be excessive rain. Rest assured that we don't want to go sailing on bad weather days either! Because Vieques is in the tropics, passing rain showers may happen, but are usually quite quick, with sun following closely behind.
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In the unlikely event that both of our coral reef snorkeling options are unavailable due to windy weather conditions, we are lucky to have the additional option to snorkel in a calm, protected mangrove lagoon, or take our guests on a mangrove forest dinghy safari. Our tour location of Ensenada Honda de Vieques makes it so we can always have an amazing time!​​​​
About the Boat!
Sailing Vessel Avalon is a 42-foot Pearson 419 ketch, built in Portsmouth Rhode Island in 1974. She has a large center cockpit where passengers can lay back and relax, or even take the helm! We navigate entirely under sail, using only manual winches and simple instruments from Avalon's era of sailboats in order to immerse our guests in the timeless tradition of sailing on the sea.
About Vieques Sailing Charters!
Who are we?
Vieques Sailing Charters is the heart-project of 13 years of love, sweat, sunshine, and sea spray—now a thriving family-run adventure on the water. We’re one captain, one family, one classic sailboat, and one very big dream: sharing the magic of Caribbean cruising with travelers from all over the world.
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Captain John has been living and sailing around Vieques since 2013. In 2017, he met Sara and little Max, who became his forever crew, and together they launched a brand-new chapter on the island. Through hurricanes, pandemics, wedding bells, and even the occasional wild horse traffic jam, our family welcomes many hundreds of guests aboard each year to experience what it’s like to live lightly, sail often, and chase adventure on a low-carbon off grid life afloat.
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In peak season, we get to share our sailing, snorkeling, and sun-soaked days with you. In the off-season? You guessed it! More sailing, more snorkeling, plenty of hurricane-dodging, and a whole lot of boat work to keep Avalon sparkling and shipshape. Want a peek behind the scenes? Visit our Facebook page to see photos from our latest off-season cruise! And book today so we can share with you a day in the life of a Caribbean cruiser!
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Environmental:
At Vieques Sailing Charters, we care deeply about the ocean and the planet, and we show it! We strive to have a low impact on the local ecosystem by operating exclusively under sail, utilizing moorings instead of anchors, powering our boat's electricity by wind and solar, never using single use plastics or individually packaged snacks, practicing a "take only pictures; leave only bubbles" approach, and serving sustainable, locally sourced food whenever possible. We also donate to local nonprofits that work on local ocean conservation and youth outreach.
On our tours, we educate about the effects of climate change on our coral reefs. We see the effects of global warming in our waters every day, and each year it becomes more evident--with many corals struggling and bleaching--that our oceans need our help, so we are doing our part to protect the planet we call home. By supporting Vieques Sailing Charters, you aren't just supporting our small family business, you're contributing to climate stewardship!
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Qualifications:
Vieques Sailing Charters is in compliance with all United States Coast Guard regulations, permitted by all local government agencies, endorsed by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, and is fully insured. Our vessel is inspected annually by the USCG and our Captain holds a USCG 100-Ton Master Merchant Mariner Credential, has undergone criminal background checks conducted by the US Department of Homeland Security, holds valid Transportation Worker Identity Credentials, and is a PADI Divemaster to boot! Additionally, all of our Crew are certified CPR First Responders, are certified SCUBA divers, are screened for illegal drug use prior to employment, and are all enrolled in a random drug testing program as mandated by the United States Coast Guard.
When you sail with us, you are in excellent hands.
Quick Vieques Tips!
​Tips for planning your trip!
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Holiday weeks and school vacation weeks are very popular and boats fill quickly. Don't be disappointed - book with us as soon as you make your flight and accommodation reservations! Don't forget to book a vehicle well ahead of time! Rental cars in Vieques book up FAST.​​
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We recommend booking toward the beginning of your vacation rather than the end so that we are able to reschedule in the event of inclement weather.
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Some trips require more preparation on our end. If you have dietary restrictions, special medical or mobility needs, or special requests for specific locations, please call us well in advance!
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We are always happy to chat about Vieques if you have questions! Wanna know our favorite beaches? Restaurants? Excursions? Give us a call!