black sand beach

This is a magical place - not really a beach to spend hours at as there are no facilities (not even an outhouse). There is virtually no parking-only enough for 2-3 vehicles. The walk is really a visual magical treat. The path seems to be an old riverbed that dried up. The only steep portion is at the beginning for a few steps, which really is nothing of concern-just take it slow. Don't wear flip flops - I'd suggest beach shoes. The walk reveals amazing trees and their root systems, land crab holes (don't worry they're timid & don't come out), wild horses watching you from the adjoining woods. There is a lot of horse poop but to be expected. When you reach the beach after about 15 minutes, if it's high tide, you need to carefully walk around a tidal pool that is yucky but during lower tide it's gone. The sand is truly amazing to see - very dark. I'd suggest trying to time your visit for lower tide so you can walk over more of the beach as the water does come up very high to the rocks otherwise. The surf is very very strong here - I would not swim here. But it's truly magnificent to look at and you'll likely experience some wild horses frolicking & running by you so keep your eyes & ears open at all times. We took a bit of sand back, dried it out & confirmed it is magnetic. It's pretty even when dry.

We hiked on road from Malecon House to trail just before Gallery Galleon. Then down thru woods to beach. Do not miss this!

This beach can be hard to find and you need shoes to wade the stream in. The black sand is magnetic, fine and heavy. Horses often come down the beach looking for the fresh water from the stream The body surfing is good here and few people get this far.

Black Beach was deserted when we were there late in the afternoon, except for the horse leaving his footprints in the dark sand. The walk to the beach was longer than we expected, but it is an easy walk once you get down the initial hill. Grab a towel and head down for a quiet afternoon.

This beach was another favorite, about a15 minute walk from the road, down an old river bed, but it is so beautiful. The magnetic black sand is so lovely, (but VERY hot to walk on).

Its a little bit hard to find but with the right instructions you'll get there. But once you get there you'll see the sand shine. The pictures don't give it enough credit. Be sure that if you visit Vieques you don't miss out on this one.

I only gave this stop four dots because on an island of awesome beaches this beach was not that great. However the jungle walk was worth it. We saw all kinds of wildlife on this 10-15 minute walk: hermit crabs, sand/land crabs, huge spiders and mongoose. Kids enjoyed this little walk almost as much as some of the snorkeling. A little tricky to find, but if I got there anyone can find it. No services (bathrooms/food vendors) at beach. An off road stroller would make the jungle walk easy, but a street/sidewalk stroller would be a hassle.

great to see this. a bit difficult to find as not well signposted. You need to look out for a little track to walk down just on your way before the galleon gallery.keep your eye open on the way down for the crabs on display in the sand - awesome!

It's roughly a 15-20 min drive from Vieques or Isabella II. If you're headed south on 997, make the left turn onto 201 south and pass a place called "The Gallery", you've gone just a bit too far. It's a little hole looking path next to a curve in the road--not hard to miss. Then you have to leave your vehicle there and walk about 10 mins to the beach. So, there are fewer people due to the hassle. Not a ton of black sand, but patches of pitch black silty sand around. Great for swimming. Not a lot to see snorkeling. Mild undertow and waves.

This beach is nice and quiet and not crowded at all. We fell asleep in the shade for hours and only saw two other couples. Most people say its hard to find, I disagree. Locate the Gallery galleon, and walk about 30 feet in the direction of Esperanza and you will see the path going down to your right. It is a short walk that I would imagine is horrible after a rain, but the beach is a great get way from the crowds to get a little alone time.

On the curve (in the direction of the beach) when you are at the intersection of 201 and 997 (or was that 996?) you will see a hidden trail head (only if you are looking for it). You will park alongside the road close the small art gallery. It is a short 10 to 15 min slow walk down to the beach (watch for iguanas and crabs). Locals told us the beach used to be more black and will likely cycle back to having more black. The sand is magnetic (NOT volcanic like most other black beaches I have been to) which makes this a unique stop and well worth it. But better places to spend the day as it is not great for snorkeling or swimming.

Part of the fun of vieques is finding the hidden gems...its alike a treasure hunt. we drove down there from the main road and walked about 100 feet around a ben and there it was a beautiful black sand beach with magnetic or metallic sand as it stuck to our magnetic key ring when i dropped the keys..worth looking for. tons of fresh coconuts to pick and if equipped with a knife to drink from

Driving away from Esperanza on 996 there is a bit of spray paint on the guardrail on the left indicating "black beach" We parked our little rental car in a patch of dirt on the right side of the road. A short hike/walk through what looks like dry riverbeds. A winding cow path of a lane brings you to Black Beach. We were delighted with the contrast between the blond sand cliffs, black sand and teal water. We were told by a local that we could drive up the road a bit and park on the cliff in their back yard and have a shorter walk down to black beach, but didn't take the offer.

We loved the black sand and the total appearance of the beach. But the directions and signage to get there is terrible. We found it almost by accident two years ago and went back this trip by hiking in. We also spent time on the beach on our horseback ride.

Great waves and very cool black sand. its a 10min walk down a well maintained sand path. beware there are HUGE spiders just inches off the path with some of the most elaborate webs (if you're not too scared by a 6in diameter spider). The available beach spots are very limited (2-3). VERY ROCKY on entry into the water and up and down in the beach.