11 Must-Try Water Activities in Puerto Rico for Cruise Travelers

Water activities make up a large majority of what to do in Puerto Rico, an island that has seen an inspiring rebirth. Let’s find out which water activities in Puerto Rico make for an unforgettable Caribbean cruise holiday when you decide to spoil yourself and your loved ones with a tropical vacation.

Key Takeaways

● Puerto Rico offers incredible water activities for every type of traveler, from kayaking and scuba diving to sailing on catamarans, riding jet skis and surfing world-class waves.

● The best locations for water activities in Puerto Rico include Fajardo for catamaran trips and snorkeling, Vieques for glowing bioluminescent bay kayaking, Rincón for surfing, Culebra’s Flamenco Beach for swimming and diving and San Juan for jet skiing, seaplane tours and family-friendly waterfront fun.

● The best weather for water activities in Puerto Rico is during peak season (December to April). You’ll enjoy warm, sunny weather and calm seas.

● The summer months (June to August) can exhibit fewer crowds due to the humidity, making this an ideal time for larger groups or families with older children.

● Explore Puerto Rico cruises to see all of this and more for yourself.

1. Enjoy Spectacular Scuba Diving on Mona Island

All signs point to the ocean when you're seeking adventurous things to do in Puerto Rico. Unsurprisingly, many of the best scuba spots in Puerto Rico are far away from major cities. Ride a speedboat to Mona Island, about 50 miles off the west coast of the island, and swim beneath the surface with coral sharks and kaleidoscopic schools of fish of all sizes. You might even encounter humpback whales if you're lucky.

If you prefer to stay closer to civilization and still want to enjoy an undersea adventure, scuba dive beneath the "Black Wall" of La Parguera, Puerto Rico, where coral forests filled with purple and yellow tube sponges waft in ocean currents just 15 minutes west of Ponce.

Head for Cayo Ratones, which is less than a half-hour south of Mayagüez on Puerto Rico's west coast, promising sightings of dozens of species of fish, including vibrant parrot fish and shy peacock flounders popping out from under the sugar-white seabed.

2. Ride a Catamaran to Culebra

As a U.S. territory, Puerto Rico offers all the comforts and conveniences of home. If you board a catamaran, even in cities close to cosmopolitan San Juan, you can arrive on a deserted island in almost no time. Set out from the city of Fajardo, located in Puerto Rico's lush northeast, and take a half-day trip to Culebra. This is a hub for snorkeling in Puerto Rico.

Travel to Cayo Icacos, whose undisturbed pure white sands and perfectly clear, shallow waters might have you feeling like you've stepped into a postcard. You can ride a Catamaran into paradise or stick to the best scuba diving spots in Puerto Rico. Get here before everyone else realizes the awe-inspiring scale of the island's rebirth.

3. Go Snorkeling Amid Schools of Fish at El Escambrón

Swimming in the ocean tops the list of what to do in Puerto Rico. Strap on a snorkel mask and look straight down. Balneario El Escambrón, a public beach that sits just offshore from the capital's Caribe Hilton, is a surprising snorkeler's paradise.

With enough time to venture further out into the wilds of Puerto Rico, take a boat trip to Culebra, where the pristine waters and calm winds on paradisaical Tamarindo and Flamenco Beaches make them prime snorkeling real estate. If members of your family embark on a scuba diving adventure, simply accompany them to their dive site and explore the world closer to the surface. Be sure to check certification requirements with your scuba diving operators, and prepare for a world of underwater marvels.

4. Wine and Dine on Picnic Boat Tours in Fajardo Bay

As its name suggests, a main factor that separates a "picnic" boat from its other seafaring cousins is the availability of food — or, in the case of Puerto Rico, a handle of locally-produced rum. Head to Fajardo for the island's most delicious picnic boat tours, which pair tender, melt-in-your-mouth barbecue cooked right on the yacht with a colorful day of snorkeling in some of the clearest waters you've ever seen.

Of course, you don't need to venture so far from San Juan to take a picnic boat. Book an Old San Juan Harbor tour and stay on deck. Choose beer or wine instead of (or in addition to) Puerto Rican rum, and watch the sun sink into the sea with appetizers and desserts. You'll never think of the word "picnic" the same again.

5. Fly Above the Sea on a Jet Ski at Boquerón

For those who don't care much to venture under the sea, fly above it using a Jet Ski or another apparatus. Book yourself on a half- or full-day Jet Ski adventure in tourism hubs all over the island, from castaway Boquerón on the island's southwest to the paradise island of Culebra, which sits in the immaculate, cerulean seas just off Puerto Rico's northeast coast and the city of Fajardo.

There are different activities and a plethora of options to suit every level of adventure seeker. Ask your hotel in San Juan about booking a flyboarding experience. Rocket up out of San Juan Harbor like a superhero, waving to thousands of admirers as you zoom by. As rural parts of Puerto Rico invest in tourism to continue fueling recovery from Hurricane Maria in 2017, expect more flyboarding (and other extreme sports) to crop up around the country.

6. Watch Forlorn Bays Light up at Night on Vieques Island

When you hear the phrase "Mosquito Bay," you might instinctively bust out your bottle of repellent. If you happen to find yourself on Puerto Rico's paradise island of Vieques, a much different reality awaits you. Witness the sea light up onboard your Bio Bay Cruise, as millions of bioluminescent plankton fluoresce in unison.

If you can't make it to Mosquito Bay, which won a 2006 Guinness World Record as the world's brightest bioluminescent bay, choose one of Puerto Rico's worthy runners-up. You can travel to La Parguera in the country's underrated southwest or head to Fajardo in the beautiful northeast. Puerto Rico is lucky enough to have three "bio bay" sights, which give you options as a traveler. Not to mention plenty of photos and videos to look back on.

7. Explore Puerto Rico’s Riches by Kayak on Condado Lagoon

Another way to enjoy Puerto Rico is to row, row, row your boat — or kayak — on the waters of Fajardo Bay. Go at night to enjoy the bioluminescence, or the early evening after a day spent hiking and swimming in nearby El Yunque National Forest. There are few better ways to appreciate the reward of Puerto Rico's natural beauty than doing the work to reach its most gorgeous parts.

Enjoy kayaking closer to San Juan if your trip to Puerto Rico won't extend far from the city limits of the capital. Condado Lagoon is slightly less wild than anything you'll find in Puerto Rico's untamed northeastern reaches. You can enjoy views of San Juan's upscale Condado and Miramar neighborhoods as you work up a sweat paddling through the lagoon's calm waters. Alternatively, rent a kayak from a shop in Old San Juan and set off without a specific agenda.

8. Master Different Forms of Deep-Sea Fishing Around San Juan Harbor

You might need another reason to visit Fajardo, the northeastern Puerto Rican paradise, where so much of the island's aquatic adventures set off. It's a hub of deep-sea fishing, with dozens of boats leaving every day for the open waters north and east of the Puerto Rican mainland. Rent a rod and tackle box and try your luck reeling in wahoo and yellowtail snapper. You could also take a wilder approach to deep-sea fishing by embarking on a freediving tour with professional spearfishers.

Of course, deep-sea fishing is still an option for what to do in Puerto Rico, even if you don't plan to leave San Juan or the area around the capital. Book a private tour with a knowledgeable instructor from one of the many agencies located around San Juan Harbor and in Old San Juan.

9. Surf the Caribbean’s Best Waves in Aguadilla

Hawaii and California aren’t the only places in the United States worth traveling to for surfing. Puerto Rico's West Coast is known as the Caribbean's answer to Hawaii's North Shore — and with good reason. In particular, beaches around the cities of Aguadilla, Isabela and Rincón boast Puerto Rico's best surf, as well as facilities like board rental and repair services.

There are plenty of eateries and watering holes to recharge after a long day on the waves. Make sure to travel to Puerto Rico between October and February if surfing is high on your list of priorities. These months are when the swells are largest, while still comfortably outside of hurricane season.

10. Ride Down Natural Waterslides at Las Paylas

Puerto Rico is an island, so it's not a shock that much of what to do in Puerto Rico revolves around the ocean. Rainforests like the aforementioned El Yunque make up a huge chunk of Puerto Rico's land area. Take a wild ride in nature's waterpark when you let loose and coast down Las Paylas, a waterfall whose smooth rock walls have earned it the reputation as a natural waterslide. Local authorities monitor and maintain the site, so you don't need to worry about injuring yourself as long as you follow the posted guidelines.

Another refreshing spot to spend the day in El Yunque, Puerto Rico, is Las Damas Pool, a tranquil section of the Mameyes River in the northeastern quadrant of the forest. Make sure and hike the Angelito Trail to reach the pool. You’ll be sufficiently exhausted (and sweat-covered) to fully appreciate the cooling power of a dip in Las Damas.

11. Take It All in From Aboard a Seaplane from Old San Juan

Book a flight from one of many seaplane operators in Old San Juan to enjoy sweeping views of sights like Castillo San Felipe del Morro from directly overhead. Choose a single sightseeing flight or a day trip that takes you to many places. You'll take off directly out of San Juan Bay and hover closer to the ground than any jet plane could.

Focus your attention on scoping out the spots where you had your favorite plate of tostones (fried plantains) during your time in San Juan. Direct your gaze out to sea, appreciating the best scuba diving spots in Puerto Rico from thousands of feet in the air. Charter a seaplane to continue your island expedition — the most popular choice is to travel to St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Here, a whole new spate of adventure awaits. Let your Caribbean adventure begin in Puerto Rico with Royal Caribbean.

Match Your Desired Activities With Each Traveler

Here’s a breakdown of each water activity type and who it’s best suited for in Puerto Rico, based on interests, energy levels and travel style:

● Scuba diving: Marine lovers, adventure seekers and certified divers.

● Catamaran boat rides: Relaxed couples, large friend groups and families.

● Wine and picnic tours: Couples, honeymooners and small friend groups.

● Jet ski rides: Thrill-seekers and energetic travelers.

● Kayak tours: Nature lovers, photographers and eco-conscious travelers.

● Deep-sea fishing: Fishing enthusiasts and travelers seeking full-day ocean activities.

● Surfing: Enthusiastic beginners and active, adventurous travelers.

● Waterslides: Families with children or multigenerational cruise groups.

● Seaplane tours: Luxury travelers, couples and photography lovers.

Planning Tips and Reminders

Planning a cruise can be overwhelming when you’re cruising for the first time, traveling with family or are unsure what to include in your ideal itinerary to cater to everyone’s needs. So, take stock of these tips and reminders to ensure your time in Puerto Rico is nothing short of amazing.

● Depending on where you plan to be based, check port distances, compare tours, transport options and all related costs (e.g. seasonal rates) for your planned activities and desired locations.

● Mix it up and try to check off cruise activities you’ve never tried before to ensure you’re notching up experiences that will be memorable for a very long time.

● Extreme activities like shark diving in Puerto Rico can be dangerous and need to be approached with care. Respect your guides and instructors and avoid straying away from activity or tour protocols.

● With so many beaches in San Juan, Puerto Rico, for example, your options are endless. Compare location amenities and proximity to your desired attractions to guarantee you can enjoy fun beach days that suit you and your travel group perfectly.

● The Puerto Mosquito bioluminescent bay, a delicate ecosystem, is an unmissable destination. It’s important to follow the rules and regulations, such as no swimming allowed (kayaks only).

● The best bioluminescent bay viewings are during new moon phases on the darkest nights when the glows are at their brightest and most beautiful.

Cruise to Puerto Rico for a Vacation Filled With Water Adventures

There are so many things to do in San Juan and other parts of Puerto Rico, even better when you’re keen to hit the water. Surf or Jet Ski atop the frothy peaks of turquoise waves, snorkel and scuba dive down into the crystalline depths or row out into the open ocean with bait and tackle for a day of deep-sea fishing.

You can also head inland to cool yourself off in Puerto Rico's plentiful fresh water. Take a swim in the jade pools of its lush rainforests or use the slick walls of towering waterfalls as natural water slides. From couples trips to friend cruises to family vacations, the eastern Caribbean is the perfect place to enjoy new thrills and experiences with your loved ones.

Ready to start planning? Explore our cruises to Puerto Rico to set your next vacation into motion.

RELATED ARTICLES