Vieques National Wildlife Refuge

The Vieques National Wildlife Refuge was once the U.S. Navy's primary Atlantic Fleet bombing and training range for over 60 years, making its transformation into a protected wildlife sanctuary a unique case of ecological reclamation.

Due to its military past, large sections of the refuge remain inaccessible to the public, creating an unintentional 'de facto wilderness' where nature has reclaimed land untouched by human development for decades, albeit with areas of unexploded ordnance (UXO).

The refuge protects the critical land and coastal ecosystems that contribute to the ecological health of Bahía Mosquito (Mosquito Bay), recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world, a true natural wonder adjacent to its boundaries.

Covering approximately 18,000 acres, the refuge encompasses nearly 60% of the island of Vieques, making it one of the largest and most significant national wildlife refuges in the Caribbean.

The refuge is famously home to thousands of free-roaming wild horses, descendants of those brought by Spanish colonists centuries ago, which are now an iconic and protected part of the island's unique ecosystem, grazing freely even on its pristine beaches.

Despite its military history, the refuge boasts some of the most pristine and untouched beaches in the Caribbean, such as La Chiva (Blue Beach) and Caracas (Red Beach), due to limited past development and strict environmental protections.

The refuge provides critical nesting habitats for three endangered species of sea turtles—Green, Hawksbill, and Leatherback—with dedicated staff and volunteers actively monitoring and protecting their nests along its secluded coastlines.

Visitors exploring the accessible areas of the refuge might stumble upon old abandoned bunkers, observation posts, and even remnants of target practice areas, providing a peculiar juxtaposition of war history with thriving natural beauty.