Cayo Afuera is the small island to the right as you look out to sea from the town of Esperanza on the South coast of Vieques. It is part of the Mosquito Bay Reserve and administered by the Dept. of Natural Resources of Puerto Rico. DRNA. In the photo above we are snorkeling off the west side of 'Afuera'. The better snorkeling is further out towards the ocean from these rocks and just out from the wrecked sailboat on the eastern side of the island, on a calm day. We ate our picnic lunch on those large boulders!

How to get to Cayo Afuera: Swim out with mask, snorkel and flippers. Start out under the old cement pier. Incidentallly, the snorkeling under the pier is excellent, good for beginners too. On Cayo Afuera there is a beach to land on, on the closest side to town. Only experienced snorkelers should attempt to swim out and only on a calm day.

or Rent a kayak and kayak out to the sandy beach. Beach your kayak and then go snorkeling and beach exploring.

More photos of kayaking off Cayo Afuera