List of beaches in Ponce, Puerto Rico explained

The municipality of Ponce, Puerto Rico, has 40[1] beaches including 28 on the mainland and 12 in its offshore islands, primarily at the deserted island of Caja de Muertos.[1] This list of beaches in Ponce, Puerto Rico, consists of some of the most popular beaches in the municipality of Ponce, Puerto Rico. Only natural salt-water beaches are listed.

All beaches in Ponce are public beaches and accessible to the general public at large, except for the beach at the Club Nautico de Ponce, which is accessible to members of that club only. Some public beaches are off-limits to the general public due to preservation or protection efforts. This is the case, for example, of beaches protected under the law by the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources. Playa Larga beach, in Caja de Muertos, falls in this latter category. None of the beaches in Ponce are among Puerto Rico's 10 most dangerous beaches in terms of number of drownings.[2]

Among beaches in Ponce, a few of the most popular[3] are El Tuque Beach in the El Tuque sector of Barrio Canas, near highway PR-2, west of the city; La Guancha Beach at the La Guancha complex south of the city; and four beaches in Caja de Muertos: Playa Pelícano beach, Playa Larga beach, Playa Carrucho beach, and Playa Blanca beach.[4] Playa Pelicano beach was the first beach in Puerto Rico - and the entire Caribbean[5] - to attain Blue Flag Beach status.[6] [7] It is also the only beach in the world part of a nature reserve that holds this recognition.[8] Most beaches in Ponce are small secluded beaches known mostly to local people and accessed by dirt roads. They are part of a coastal stretch in southwestern Puerto Rico "filled with isolated sandy coves and virgin white beaches accessible only by dirt roads that only the locals seem to know about."[9] While there are several family-oriented beaches, like La Guancha and El Tuque, there are also many beaches ideal for sunbathing and relaxation as well as many spots for just being alone.[9] Some beaches are more apt for some types of activities, such as scuba diving, than other beaches. Beaches in Caja de Muertos can be reached via private boat or, during the weekends, via a daily ferry that leaves early in the mornings (reservations are required) from the La Guancha Boardwalk in Barrio Playa.[3]

Ponce beaches are the result of mineral aggregate found in them, and this is, in turn, the result of silt carried by the Ponce river system from the mountains of Cordillera Central.[10] In this manner the composition of its beaches are determined by the geological regions through which the nearby rivers flow. Beaches west of Ponce (El Tuque, Las Salinas, Matilde, etc.) exhibit sand that is mostly white, resulting from its calcareous content, and primarily composed of coral fragments and marine shells. Beaches east of Ponce (La Guancha, Club Nautico, Hilton, Cabuyon, Vayas, etc.) exhibit sand that is mostly dark sand with magnetite, and composed of fragments of volcanic rock, quartz, and calcareous detritus.[11] [12] [13] Also, the sand at mainland Ponce beaches tends to be generally dark while in the offshore Ponce islands sand is white.

Beach list summary table

Beaches on the Ponce mainland

No.Beach Name Length (m) Barrio Sector Coordinates Activities and
Services 		NotesImage
1El Tuque

a.k.a., Balneario El Tuque
1100 El Tuque, PR-2, at km 200.1[14] 17.9725°N -66.6786°W
[15]
2Punta Salinera[16] unknown Canas[17] Southwest of Laguna Las Salinas on PR-2, km 200.217.9671°N -66.6718°W
3Las Salinasunknown South of Laguna Las Salinas[18] on PR-2, km 200.217.9686°N -66.6667°W[19]
4Cañas1100 Between Punta Cucharas and the jetty just west of the Ponce water treatment plant.[20] Accessed from PR-2 & Ave. Punto Oro, south on the asphalt, gravel, and (then) dirt road to the end.17.9783°N -66.6519°W[21]
5Matilde[22] [23] unknown South of the Ponce water treatment plant; just west of Río Matilde.[24] [25] Accessed from PR-2 and PR-9, heading south, following the road leading to the Ponce water treatment plant.17.9808°N -66.6411°W[26]
6Chencha;
a.k.a., "El Tubo"		500Between Río Matilde eastward to the breakwater at Ocean View Restaurant (Dorado St.)[27] Accessed from PR-585, then Ave. Los Meros to the end.17.9819°N -66.6364°W
7Los Meros[28] 500Between the breakwater at Ocean View Restaurant (Dorado St) and the Villa Pesquera fishing village piers (former mouth of Río Portugués) Accessed from PR-585, then Ave. Los Meros, then Ocean View Restaurant. 17.9825°N -66.6289°W[29]
8Playa de Ponce[30] [31] unknown Between the Villa Pesquera fishing piers and the Ave. Hostos Final pier. At the southernmost tip of PR-585[32] [33] 17.9808°N -66.6231°W [34]
9unknown At Parque Pasivo Enrique Gonzalez on Calle Bonaire,[35] two blocks south of the southernmost tip of Avenida Hostos (PR-123) in barrio Playa de Ponce17.9792°N -66.6197°W[36] Also the Finish site of Cruce a Nado Internacional[37]
10Club Náutico de Ponceunknown Isla de Gatas, within the Club Náutico de Ponce property, across from La Guancha Boardwalk, accessed via PR-1217.9636°N -66.6194°WThis beach is within the area of Club Nautico de Ponce, a private club
11La Guancha
[38]
a.k.a. Playa Carenero
850 Playa[39] La Guancha Recreational and Cultural Complex, at the southernmost tip of PR-12 (Avenida Santiago de los Caballeros) 17.9639°N -66.6119°W
[40]
  • [41]
  • [42]
    • 12Playa del Hilton[43] unknown Hotel Ponce Hilton, west of Río Bucaná, accessible through Hilton Ponce Golf and Casino Resort, PR-12 South to Avenida Caribe17.9694°N -66.6022°W[44]
    13Punta Cabuyón;
    a.k.a., Playa Punta Cabullones.[45]     		325 Just west of Punta de Cabullones,[46] accessed from Barrio Bucana by way of Santa Cruz community (becomes a dirt road). 17.9708°N -66.5939°WA nature reserve since 31 December 2016.[47]
    14Vayas2200 Area of Quinta Esperanza, across from Cayo Desgraciado, accessed from PR-1 to Calle La Esperanza to the end (becomes a dirt road).17.9669°N -66.5689°W

    Beaches at offshore Ponce islands

    No.Beach Name Length (m) Barrio Sector Coordinates Activities and
    Services     		NotesImage
    Beaches at Isla de Ratones
    15Isla de Ratones[48] unknown At Isla de Ratones, accessed by kayak from Reserva Natural Punta Cucharas or by boat via boat ramp at marina just west of Punta Cucharas sector on PR-217.9522°N -66.6808°W
    Beaches at Isla Cardona
    16Isla Cardona[49] unknown At Isla Cardona, accessed by kayak or boat17.9578°N -66.6364°WAlso the Start site of Cruce a Nado Internacional
    Beaches at Caja de Muertos
    17Pelícano[50] 300 Caja de Muertos17.8856°N -66.5281°W
    [53]
  • [54]
  • [55]
    		• [56]
    18Guardia Costanera[57] unknown Caja de Muertos17.8958°N -66.6786°W
    [58]
  • [59]
    • 19unknown Caja de Muertos17.8989°N -66.52°W
    20Carrucho
    a.k.a., Playa Chica     		unknown Caja de Muertos17.9025°N -66.5128°W
    21Ensenadita
    a.k.a., Playa Pocitas     		unknown 17.8939°N -66.515°W
    22unknown 17.8856°N -66.5272°WVereda Submarina; offshore-based snorkeling and scuba allowed.[62]
    A protected beach (i.e., no foot traffic) located on the southeastern side of the island between Cerro Morrillo and Caja de Muertos Light (the side facing the open Caribbean Sea).

    See also

    Further reading

    External links

    Notes and References

    1. http://www.primerahora.com/fotogalerias/noticias/puerto-rico/las1200playasdepuertorico-1069825/foto-29/ Las 1,200 playas de Puerto Rico.
    2. http://www.oslpr.org/2013-2016/leyes/pdf/ley-221-17-Dic-2015.pdf Ley 221 of 17 December 2015: A law to amend "Ley de la Junta Interagencial para el Manejo de las Playas de Puerto Rico."
    3. http://www.best-beaches.com/caribbean/puerto-rico/ponce/ponce-beaches Best Beaches / Caribbean / Puerto Rico / Ponce / Ponce Beaches.
    4. http://www.periodicolaperla.com/el-eden-del-caribe/ Por algo le llaman 'El Edén del Caribe'.
    5. http://www.miprv.com/distinguen-con-bandera-azul-a-playa-pelicano-en-caja-de-muertos/ Distinguen con bandera azul a Playa Pelícano en Caja de Muertos.
    6. http://www.elsuralavista.com/periodico/?p=30345 Bandera azul para Caja de Muerto.
    7. https://web.archive.org/web/20131022122036/http://www.elsuralavista.com/periodico/?p=30345 Bandera azul para Caja de Muerto.
    8. http://aquiestapuertorico.com/playa-pelicano/ Playa Pelícano.
    9. http://www.frommers.com/destinations/puerto-rico/744365 Puerto Rico: The Best Beaches: The Best Beaches for Being Alone.
    10. http://geology.uprm.edu/Morelock/wcpr.htm The World's Coasts: Online - Puerto Rico: South Coast 1.
    11. Leovigildo Vázquez Iñigo. Clases de arenas en Puerto Rico. 1983.
    12. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304000219/http://www.coalicionventanasverraco.org/files/Perfil_Regional_de_la_Region_Sur_de_Puerto_Rico.pdf Plan de Uso de Terrenos de Puerto Rico: Perfil Regional - Region Sur. (Borrador Preliminar.)
    13. http://geology.uprm.edu/Morelock/clnpr.htm Coastline and Beach Analysis: Tallaboa to Salinas.
    14. https://www.puertoricohotelesparadores.com/ponce/playa-el-tuque Playa El Tuque: Ponce, Puerto Rico.
    15. http://traveltips.usatoday.com/beaches-ponce-puerto-rico-25721.html Beaches in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
    16. https://www.periodicolaperla.com/listo-el-plan-de-seguridad-de-ponce-para-el-4-de-julio/ Listo el plan de seguridad de Ponce para el 4 de julio: A raíz de la festividad podrán disfrutar del Complejo Recreativo la Guancha, El Tuque, Playa Punta Salinera, el Río del Real Anón, Isla de Caja de Muerto e Isla de Cardona.
    17. https://www.periodicolaperla.com/listo-el-plan-de-seguridad-de-ponce-para-el-4-de-julio/ Listo el plan de seguridad de Ponce para el 4 de julio: A raíz de la festividad podrán disfrutar del Complejo Recreativo la Guancha, El Tuque, Playa Punta Salinera, el Río del Real Anón, Isla de Caja de Muerto e Isla de Cardona.
    18. http://ocean.floridamarine.org/ACP/SJACP/Maps/GRP_Maps/PR-59.pdf PREPA Geographic Response Plan Map: PR-59: GRP - Oil Spill Sensitive Site Report for Sector: San Juan - Laguna de las Salinas, Ponce. (Site ID: A42)
    19. https://www.flickr.com/photos/r_santiagotoro/5106214564/in/album-72157625220218972/ Playa Las Salinas.
    20. http://geology.uprm.edu/Morelock/pcu.htm Punta Cuchara.
    21. https://www.flickr.com/photos/12650001@N08/8452713356 Playa Cañas.
    22. http://geology.uprm.edu/Morelock/south.htm#2 Coastal study sites south coast Puerto Rico: El Tuque Beach, Ponce.
    23. While some sources may name this beach "Matilda", there is no Playa Matilda in Ponce; the correct spelling (and the one most authorities use) is "Matilde".
    24. http://geology.uprm.edu/Morelock/pcu.htm Punta Cuchara.
    25. http://geology.uprm.edu/Morelock/south.htm#2 Matilda (sic) Beach, Ponce.
    26. http://geology.uprm.edu/Morelock/south/mtbchdun.jpg Playa Matilde Beach.
    27. https://issuu.com/benitopinto/docs/1603 La Playa de Ponce Reverdece.
    28. http://vocesdelsurpr.com/2016/08/esfuerzo-colectivo-renovar-la-playa-ponce/ Esfuerzo colectivo para renovar la Playa de Ponce.
    29. Neysa Rodriguez Deynes. Brevario Sobre la Historia de Ponce.Gobierno Municipal de Ponce. Oficina de Cultura y Turismo. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 2002. p. 113
    30. http://caribya.com/ponce/ponce.beach/ Ponce Beach.
    31. Not to be confused with the populated neighborhood and municipal ward "Barrio Playa de Ponce".
    32. http://www.coalicionventanasverraco.org/files/Perfil_Regional_de_la_Region_Sur_de_Puerto_Rico.pdf Plan de Uso de Terrenos de Puerto Rico: Perfil Regional - Region Sur. (Borrador Preliminar.)
    33. http://caribya.com/ponce/beaches/map/ Map of Ponce Beach.
    34. http://trazandofronteras.blogspot.com/2010/05/es-tan-grande-mi-vida.html Playa de Ponce.
    35. http://www.periodicolaperla.com/edicion-1552-del-28-agosto-al-3-septiembre-2013-2/ Nadadores Venezolanos: A defender su dominio en el Cruce a Nado Internacional.
    36. http://www.periodicolaperla.com/regresa-el-cruce-a-nado-de-la-playa-de-ponce/ Regresa el Cruce a Nado a Ponce.
    37. http://www.periodicolaperla.com/nadadores-venezolanos-a-defender-su-dominio-en-el-cruce-a-nado-internacional/ Regresa el Cruce a Nado Internacional,
    38. https://www.adendi.com/archivo.asp?num=339519 Inauguran Complejo de Recreación La Guancha. El Nuevo Día. 15 June 1998.
    39. https://books.google.com/books?id=n10vAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA594 Chapter IX: Porto Rico.
    40. http://www.zeepuertorico.com/lugar/la-guancha.aspx La Guancha: Ponce, Puerto Rico.
    41. https://www.puertoricohotelesparadores.com/ponce/playa-carenero Punta Carenero.
    42. http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/la-guancha/ La Guancha: A Fun Weekend Spot for the Whole Family.
    43. http://www2.pr.gov/agencias/jca/Pages/Monitor%C3%ADadePlayas.aspx Monitoria de Playas.
    44. https://www.flickr.com/photos/nrthrnleits/6032758121/in/album-72157627410854310/ Playa del Hilton.
    45. https://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2014/5102/ Hydrogeology and Hydrology of the Punta Cabullones Wetland Area, Ponce, Southern Puerto Rico, 2007–08.
    46. http://www.charts.noaa.gov/BookletChart/25683_BookletChart.pdf Bahía de Ponce and Approaches.
    47. http://vocesdelsurpr.com/2016/12/designan-nuevas-reservas-naturales-ponce-santa-isabel/ Designan nuevas reservas naturales en Ponce y Santa Isabel.
    48. http://puertoricodeaventura.com/index.php/en/nature-life/item/330-at-ratones-key At Ratones Key.
    49. http://geology.uprm.edu/Morelock/south/bscardon.jpg Playa Isla Cardona.
    50. http://seagrantpr.org/marejada/slideshow/caja-de-muertos-un-tesoro-en-las-aguas-del-mar-caribe/ Caja de Muertos: Un tesoro en las aguas del Mar Caribe.
    51. http://www.suagm.edu/umet/biblioteca/UMTESIS/Tesis_Ambientales/educacion_ambiental/2010/JGonzalezDelgado071210.pdf Reserva Natural Isla Caja de Muertos: Laboratorio Natural para Fomentar el Estudio de las Aves dentro del Escutismo.
    52. http://www.drna.gobierno.pr/oficinas/saux/secretaria-auxiliar-de-planificacion-integral/division-de-planificacion-de-recursos-terrestres/mapas-de-delimitacion-de-reservas-naturales/Isla%20Caja%20de%20Muerto.pdf Topographic Map of Caja de Muertos, showing roads and hiking trails.
    53. http://www.suagm.edu/umet/biblioteca/UMTESIS/Tesis_Ambientales/educacion_ambiental/2010/JGonzalezDelgado071210.pdf Reserva Natural Isla Caja de Muertos: Laboratorio Natural para Fomentar el Estudio de las Aves dentro del Escutismo.
    54. http://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/locales/nota/banderaazulparacajademuertos-828965/ Bandera Azul para Caja de Muertos: El DRNA anunció este reconocimiento que logró la playa Pelícano de esta reserva natural.
    55. http://islandsofpuertorico.com/playa-pelicano-caja-de-muertos/ Playa Pelicano (Pelican Beach), Caja de Muertos Island, Puerto Rico: Falicities at Pelicano Beach.
    56. http://www.periodicolaperla.com/el-secreto-paraiso-del-caribe/ El secreto paraíso del Caribe.
    57. http://www.suagm.edu/umet/biblioteca/UMTESIS/Tesis_Ambientales/educacion_ambiental/2010/JGonzalezDelgado071210.pdf Reserva Natural Isla Caja de Muertos: Laboratorio Natural para Fomentar el Estudio de las Aves dentro del Escutismo.
    58. http://discoverpuertoricousa.com/beaches/beaches-southwest-puerto-rico/ Beaches Southwest Puerto Rico.
    59. https://www.puertoricohotelesparadores.com/ponce/playa-coast-guard Playa Coast Guard: Ponce, Puerto Rico.
    60. http://geology.uprm.edu/Morelock/wcpr.htm The World's Coasts: Online - Puerto Rico.
    61. http://www.suagm.edu/umet/biblioteca/UMTESIS/Tesis_Ambientales/educacion_ambiental/2010/JGonzalezDelgado071210.pdf Reserva Natural Isla Caja de Muertos: Laboratorio Natural para Fomentar el Estudio de las Aves dentro del Escutismo.
    62. http://www.best-beaches.com/caribbean/puerto-rico/ponce/ponce-beaches Ponce Beaches.

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