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The current weather in Culebra
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Need Help - Melones VS. Flamenco VS. Carlos
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Kyle D (207.59.85.---)
Date:   01-13-10 12:46

Hello! Hope everyone is doing well!

I am going to be traveling to Culebra with my girlfriend for the first time in March (went to Vieques last year) and wanted to find out more about the best snorkeling spots in Culebra. Many people have said to go to Melones and Carlos Rosario and that you can hike to either one from Flamenco. The thing is I can't physically hike 20 minutes due to a medical condition. I need to be able to get as close as possible to the snorkeling area by vehicle (and without paying water taxi prices). Don't get me wrong I'm healthy and can walk, but just not too far; less than a quarter mile lets say.

What would be the best option for my situation in terms of getting as close to the best places to snorkel by vehicle/taxi service/public transportation? I am a good swimmer but somewhat of a novice snorkeler so I guess the calmest water is what I'm looking for (I know it would depend on the weather too). Also around these beaches how far out and deep should i expect to go to be able to see some cool marine life. My goal is to see some colorful coral and fish, and hopefully some sea turtles and other creatures.

How much do taxi's generally charge, or can you take public transportation to these area's? Any help on this matter would be most appreciated. Thanks a bunch for reading my post! Looking forward to seeing the island!!

The beach rules
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Re: Need Help - Melones VS. Flamenco VS. Carlos
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: richard (---.hsd1.dc.comcast.net)
Date:   01-13-10 13:17

my first reaction was Rosario, but given your conditions 1. Flamenco and 2. Melones (publicos go to Flamenco and although Melones is just off the other road, it's just a bit choppier and many sea urchins)
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Re: Need Help - Melones VS. Flamenco VS. Carlos
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Kyle D (207.59.85.---)
Date:   01-13-10 14:25

Richard,

Thanks a bunch for your response!

Is there coral at Flamenco beach? I have been looking at Google maps and it looks like there is based on the map but I was not sure. Are the ever times of the day that the surf is not as choppy at Melones? What has been your experience snorkeling in both areas, do they have comparable sea creatures? Thanks again for your help, this forum rocks!

The beach rules
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Re: Need Help - Melones VS. Flamenco VS. Carlos
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Debbie (---.sip.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   01-13-10 21:27

Melones is your best bet. You can drive right up and be in the water in 5 minutes without having to walk more than 20 yards. I disagree with Richard's statement that Melones is choppy at all (especially if he is comparing it to Flamenco?) Melones and Rosario are on the south side of the island, which is the calmer, more protected side. Unless there is some unusual weather, Melones is an ideal place to snorkel. You do have to be careful about sea urchins.

There is coral at Flamenco Beach, but Flamenco is on the north side of the island, which can be rough, depending on surf. We often snorkel at Flamenco, but were not able to do so the last two weeks because of the surf and rough conditions.

The sea creatures are the same all about the island. It's a matter of luck and good fortune as to what you see where.

Happy Diving!
Debbie
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Re: Need Help - Melones VS. Flamenco VS. Carlos
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Marywho (---.prtc.net)
Date:   01-14-10 07:04

Don't even bother with Flamenco snorkling, the reefs are pretty much finished out there. Once you get here, why don't you find a local guy to take you out on his own boat, and you will be guaranteed transpo to the water with the best conditions for that day...you could snorkel at 2 or 3 spots and enjoy a delightful boat ride too!
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Re: Need Help - Melones VS. Flamenco VS. Carlos
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Michael (---.netvisao.pt)
Date:   01-14-10 15:44

I second Debbie - Melones!

Enjoy Culebra!

Michael
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Re: Need Help - Melones VS. Flamenco VS. Carlos
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: richard (---.hsd1.dc.comcast.net)
Date:   01-15-10 01:23

ok maybe not 'choppy' but I felt less predictable than at F.

walking distance is definitely the easiest once at M (but not walking there)
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Re: Need Help - Melones VS. Flamenco VS. Carlos
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Vicki moore (---.dhcp.jcsn.tn.charter.com)
Date:   01-15-10 23:16

Melones is great snorkeling and easy entry and exit. Easy to get to per vehicle or golf cart. Tamarindo had great snorkeling and I saw the best marine life there, but you would have to have a vehicle of some sort. You can pull right up to the beach with no long walks. I did not find the snorkeling good at Flamenco. It was excellent at Soldado, but the trip there is pretty rough. No publico will take you there and you are not supposed to take rental vehicles there. No long walks to get to the beach, though.

Vicki in Tennessee
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Re: Need Help - Melones VS. Flamenco VS. Carlos
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Sue Dyle (---.hsd1.ut.comcast.net)
Date:   01-16-10 16:17

Don't bother trying to snorkel at Flamenco-rough water makes it too hard. Just body surf there. I've seen people washed into the corral at the end of the beach a couple of times, its not a pretty sight and it definitely changes your vacation.
Melones has lots of sea urchins, make sure to wear foot protection underneath your fins and watch where you put your feet. No one has mentioned Cable Beach - flat water, snorkeling "ok", easy to get to on the road but someone has to point out the road for you. Behind the Deli El Eden. Carlos Rosario is our favorite for snorkeling but the walk to it is about 1 mile up and down hills. Watch the riptide (at times) farther out-don't go past the buoys. Soldedado is our consistent favorite-flat water mostly, good fish. We've taken our rental jeep there a lot, no one ever told us we couldn't but you won't get anything else other than a jeep up and down that road.
Tamarindo is OK for snorkeling. You can drive right to it.
If you have the time, water taxi out to Luis Pena. A little $$.
You can usually get one of the cabs to take you where you want to go-everyone is pleasant and will give you suggestions. Not sure how much - we always rent a jeep. Rented a scooter a couple of times-didn't get both our fannies up and down the hills safely. Plus hard on your back and you have to wear long pants, shoes, helmets and gloves. They got sick of scraping tourists off the road.
Just "be easy"- sometimes the weather changes one beach but another is good. Be flexible.
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Re: Need Help - Melones VS. Flamenco VS. Carlos
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: richard (---.hsd1.dc.comcast.net)
Date:   01-17-10 02:12

"They got sick of scraping tourists off the road."

One for the plaque when the airport is someday closed. although I imagine it's more appropriate for Baja CA
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Re: Need Help - Melones VS. Flamenco VS. Carlos
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Linda H (---.dhcp.mrqt.mi.charter.com)
Date:   01-27-10 22:11

Another vote for Melones. My husband snorkeled there often because it was easy to get to and you don't have to swim far. There are lots of urchins, though. Punta Soldado was nice, but the road is rough and steep getting there.
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