Punta Soldado
If you happen to be staying in Culebra for more
than a day, chances are, you probably already visited its most popular
beach, Flamenco. Why not venture out and get to know one of Culebra’s
unique snorkeling and diving spots?
Punta Soldado is a quiet beach off the southern coast of Culebra. It’s an excellent spot for amateur divers and snorkelers. Getting there is a bit of an adventure, too. The road is paved to a certain point so almost everyone will tell you that an off-road vehicle is necessary to travel the rocky dirt road that leads into the beach. The view from the road is spectacular. If you have the chance, stop where the dirt road begins and appreciate the view of Dakity, Fulladoza, Ensenada Honda and St. Thomas from the highest point of the trip. Also, Punta Soldado is on the most arid part of Culebra so you will see mostly cacti and dry vegetation.
Punta Soldado is a quiet beach off the southern coast of Culebra. It’s an excellent spot for amateur divers and snorkelers. Getting there is a bit of an adventure, too. The road is paved to a certain point so almost everyone will tell you that an off-road vehicle is necessary to travel the rocky dirt road that leads into the beach. The view from the road is spectacular. If you have the chance, stop where the dirt road begins and appreciate the view of Dakity, Fulladoza, Ensenada Honda and St. Thomas from the highest point of the trip. Also, Punta Soldado is on the most arid part of Culebra so you will see mostly cacti and dry vegetation.
© Walter Reider, Culebra Divers
Once there, the first thing you will
notice is that the beach is a combination of sand and coral. Well,
mostly coral. I always remember to bring my flip-flops or diving shoes
for this beach, you should too. Although it’s best known for its diving
spots, you can also bring a beach chair and work on your suntan. From
your beach chair, you can enjoy the peaceful sound of the water hitting
the shore and the spectacular view of Vieques and Puerto Rico. If you’d
rather sit on the beach, bring an umbrella. There is very little shade
on the shore.
Punta Soldado is a great snorkeling and diving spot with good reason. Its calm, clear waters and the reefs that almost creep into the shore make it a habitat for an array of underwater species. I’m talking fish, turtle, octopus, lobster, you name it, and it’s there! You will appreciate the delicate balance of the underwater ecosystem and you can, literally, see the growths spurt of the coral reefs. The best reefs are on the left-hand side of the beach. Need a little help fi nding it? Easy, when you walk to the beach, turn left. A hundred feet away, you will see a huge boulder in the middle of the shore. Enter the water at this point and swim to the left. You’re there! Remember, there are places on the island that will rent you an underwater camera. All you need to bring is your memory card and you will be able to take pictures of all the lovely creatures you encounter on your underwater adventure. As always, remember to bring a diving buddy. It’s never a good idea to snorkel or dive alone. Also remember that touching the reefs is strongly discouraged.
If you’re traveling with small children, make sure they are always
wearing diving shoes, especially when they go in the water. As I said
before, it’s a pebbly walk from the shore to the water. If your kids are
the adventurous type, this is a great beach to teach them to snorkel,
just bring lifejackets. Also, your kids might enjoy picking out the
black and white pebbles on the shore and arranging them in different
designs. I know we do!
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Relax and ejoy a hole day. Datiles is the perfect beach to do nothing
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