Flamenco Beach (Playa Flamenco)

Beach · Culebra, Puerto Rico

A roughly mile-long crescent of soft white sand and calm turquoise water on the island of Culebra, reached by ferry or small plane from the main island. The horseshoe bay is sheltered, so the shallows stay gentle for swimming, and there is good snorkelling right off the sand. Two rusting tanks left from the area's military weapons-testing past have become much-photographed, graffiti-painted landmarks on the beach. Kiosks near the entrance sell food and drinks, and a fee-based camping area with bathrooms and showers sits behind the beach.