PUERTO RICO EAST COAST (FAJARDO, PUERTO DEL REY, ISLETA MARINA, VIEQUES SOUND, CULEBRA AND VIEQUES)

Fajardo: boating safety

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Fajardo, on the north-east tip of Puerto Rico, is the island's main yachting and charter centre, with some of the Caribbean's largest marinas. From here boats cross Vieques Sound to Culebra, Vieques and the cays of the 'Spanish Virgin Islands', and on to the US and British Virgin Islands.

LIFE IN DANGER AT SEA
Call 911
Call Coast Guard Sector San Juan on 911. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF 16, or DSC on channel 70.

On the rescue map → Print an emergency card →

Harbour and marinas

Fajardo is a customs port of entry, with the customhouse on the waterfront at Playa de Fajardo. Local harbour regulations are enforced by a Commonwealth (Puerto Rico) Captain of the Port.

NOAA Office of Coast Survey, U.S. Coast Pilot 5, ch. 13 · NOAA Office of Coast Survey, U.S. Coast Pilot 5, ch. 13 ▾
nauticalcharts.noaa.gov (2026-10-14): “The customhouse is on the waterfront at Playa de Fajardo.”
nauticalcharts.noaa.gov (2026-10-14): “Local regulations are enforced by a Commonwealth Captain of the Port.”

Puerto del Rey marina, south of Fajardo, has over 900 wet slips and lists VHF channel 71.

Safe Harbor Puerto del Rey · Safe Harbor Puerto del Rey ▾
puertodelrey.com (2026-10-14): “VHF 71”
puertodelrey.com (2026-10-14): “The Caribbean's largest marina serves as homeport to over 900 wet slips”

Weather

The National Weather Service in San Juan forecasts the waters east of Puerto Rico, around Vieques and Culebra as zone AMZ726, and the north coast as AMZ712.

National Weather Service · National Weather Service ▾
weather.gov (2026-10-14): “AMZ726: Coastal Waters east of Puerto Rico and Vieques, and around and just north of Culebra and Saint John”
weather.gov (2026-10-14): “AMZ712: Coastal Waters of Northern Puerto Rico out 10 NM”

Hazards

The approaches to Bahía de Fajardo have reefs that usually break and shoals of 7–18 ft. Bajo Laja (7–10 ft) on the east side of the north entrance is unmarked, and reefs extend up to half a mile around Isleta Marina.

NOAA Office of Coast Survey, U.S. Coast Pilot 5, ch. 13 · NOAA Office of Coast Survey, U.S. Coast Pilot 5, ch. 13 · NOAA Office of Coast Survey, U.S. Coast Pilot 5, ch. 13 ▾
nauticalcharts.noaa.gov (2026-10-14): “The approaches to Bahía de Fajardo have reefs that usually show breakers and shoals with 7 to 18 feet over them.”
nauticalcharts.noaa.gov (2026-10-14): “Bajo Laja, with least depths of 7 to 10 feet over it, lies on the east side of the north entrance and is unmarked.”
nauticalcharts.noaa.gov (2026-10-14): “Isleta Marina, with surrounding reefs up to 0.5 mile, is on the east side of the bay.”

Vieques Sound has strong tidal currents over the shoals in its western part and around Isla Cabeza de Perro, about 2 knots in Pasaje de San Juan and Pasaje de Cucaracha, and strong currents around Punta Este, Vieques.

NOAA Office of Coast Survey, U.S. Coast Pilot 5, ch. 13 · NOAA Office of Coast Survey, U.S. Coast Pilot 5, ch. 13 ▾
nauticalcharts.noaa.gov (2026-10-14): “In Sonda de Vieques, there are strong tidal currents over the shoals in the west part and around Isla Cabeza de Perro.”
nauticalcharts.noaa.gov (2026-10-14): “estimated velocities of about 2 knots have been reported.”

Arriving from abroad

Boats arriving in Puerto Rico, Vieques or Culebra from foreign ports and also from the US Virgin Islands must report to CBP by phone immediately on arrival (or via the CBP ROAM app). The Fajardo inspection site is the Puerto Real municipal pier in front of the Custom House; Culebra uses Dewey dock in Ensenada Honda.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection · U.S. Customs and Border Protection · U.S. Customs and Border Protection · U.S. Customs and Border Protection · U.S. Customs and Border Protection ▾
cbp.gov (2026-10-14): “Arrivals to Puerto Rico (including Vieques and Culebra) from the US Virgin Islands and foreign ports”
cbp.gov (2026-10-14): “The Master of the vessel must report arrival via telephone immediately upon arrival to a designated inspection site within the jurisdiction of Puerto Rico (including Vieques and Culebra) and the US Virgin Islands.”
cbp.gov (2026-10-14): “The CBP ROAM app is a free mobile application that provides an option for pleasure boaters to report their U.S. entry to CBP”
cbp.gov (2026-10-14): “Port of Fajardo Puerto Real Municipal Pier In front of the Custom House”
cbp.gov (2026-10-14): “Culebra Station Dewey Dock Ensenada Honda”

Frequently asked

Who do I call in an emergency at sea near Fajardo?

Call Coast Guard Sector San Juan on 911. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.

How do I contact the harbour in Fajardo?

Fajardo is a customs port of entry, with the customhouse on the waterfront at Playa de Fajardo. Local harbour regulations are enforced by a Commonwealth (Puerto Rico) Captain of the Port.

Where do I get the marine forecast for Fajardo?

The National Weather Service in San Juan forecasts the waters east of Puerto Rico, around Vieques and Culebra as zone AMZ726, and the north coast as AMZ712.

Read before you sail

Ran aground? What to doCold water shock and hypothermia: what to doPerson overboard: what to doEngine failure: what to do when you lose power

Nearby destinations

St. Thomas and St. John 45 nmTortola 57 nmSint Maarten / Saint-Martin 144 nmAntigua — English Harbour 233 nmGuadeloupe — Pointe-à-Pitre 265 nmMartinique — Le Marin 358 nmSt Lucia — Rodney Bay 368 nmThe Grenadines — Bequia / Union Island 405 nm

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