Playa Corcho

Details

Alternate name:
Corcho Beach

Good for:
Hiking, beachcombing, solitude

Amenities:
None

Sand Type/Color:
White Caribbean sand

Cleanliness:
No people means no trash

Water Quality:
This is a protected cove so the water is typically very clear

Directions

Directions:

This is a southside beach accessed from Route 997. Enter the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge at Garcia Gate and drive until you see signs to turn right for Caracas. Before you get all the way to Caracas, you will turn right down a gravel road toward Playuela (there is a sign). Drive past the small parking area for Playuela and continue down the road about 1 mile. Where the road forks sharply right, park in the small parking lot on the left.

From here, you must hike. Hike for about 1/2 mile down the limestone road, stay right when you see the left turn toward Cerro Playuela. In a few more yards, take the right turn toward Corcho Beach. This goes downhill a few hundred yards to the beach.

Parking:

Playa Corcho is equal parts jungle hike and small quiet beach. The hike itself isn’t demanding as long as you are willing to brave slightly rough terrain and tree roots that want to trip you. At the end of the hike, you come out to a beach where you’re unlikely to see anyone else. We’ve been there a few times and only once saw a person, and he was on the hiking trail.

The beach is small, but has beautiful white sand. There are rocks on each end and you can do some climbing around and exploring there. There are a few small sandy spots where you can go in the shallow water to cool off but it’s not much of a swimming beach.

The beach opens to Puerto Ferro, a bay that is a nursery for many, many species, from different mangroves, to sharks, dolphins (the gray mammal, not the green fish), tarpon, etc. With luck you may see a dolphin or a turtle playing out in the bay. Otherwise, just enjoy the solitude.

There are trees for shade.

Back to Vieques Beaches Map