An economical way to get to the out-islands of Culebra and Vieques is by using the passenger ferry (La Lancha). These ferries, operated by the Port Authority Maritime Division, carry about 200-400 passengers and run during the day hours, 365 days a year.

Depending on the particular ferry they’re using the day you go, you may be able to get a seat outside on the upper deck. There are fewer seats outside than inside. Depending on the wind, the diesel exhaust can make for a smelly ride if you’re outside. I normally try to get a seat outside, because it is a nice view, and the breeze is nice. Inside the main cabins, it is air conditioned to about 65 degrees! Bring a jacket or wrap up in a beach blanket, especially for the ride home when you may still be wet from swimming.

The trip over can be a little rough. Sea sickness bags are available on-board. If you are prone to motion sickness, take sea sickness medicine at least one hour before boarding the ferry so that is ready to work when you need it. Sometimes the seas are flat, and sometimes they’re not. I find the trip back to Fajardo to be less rough than the trip to the islands.

There are only a limited number of tickets available for each ferry. It is recommended to get to the ticket office (across the street from the actual terminal) about one hour before the scheduled departure. There are sometimes long lines, and they do sell out (especially on weekends in the summer and holidays). When you buy your tickets, buy the round trip, so you don’t have to wait on line to buy your return ticket.

You can try to call to buy your tickets with a credit card ahead of time. Tickets can be purchased up to a year in advance. It is very difficult to get through to someone in the ticket office, so be patient and try a few times.
If you purchase tickets ahead of time, on the day of your ferry trip, you can go to a separate window to pick up your tickets (it is to the far right). But be aware, your passage on the assigned ferry is not guaranteed. Until you have a ticket in hand, you do not have a seat on the ferry. The ticket office will be selling tickets that day also. So if you’re late, they may overbook and fill the ferry with passengers that were waiting in line ahead of you. So still get there early.

They announce the ferry boarding in Spanish. If you are unsure if you are boarding the correct ferry, just ask the ticket takers or some locals.

You can bring coolers, beach chairs, beach umbrellas, snorkel gear, etc. with you. The coolers and large things will be stored outside either in the front or the back of the boat - the crew will tell you where to put the items, and you have to go pick it up on the way off the ferry. There may be a charge if you have too much stuff - supposedly only “one suitcase and carry-on” per person allowed, but I have never been charged for extra stuff.

The ferries usually run “on-time”, give or take a little.

When you get off the ferry on either island, you’ll find a little town right there, where you can find something to eat or drink, and places to rent snorkel gear, etc. There will also be plenty of taxis available.

There is a cargo ferry that runs from Fajardo to the islands, but this is mainly for the locals and supplies. Most car rental companies do not permit their cars to leave the mainland. Reservations must be made in advance for the cargo ferry, and you may be bumped off even if you have a reservation if there is something that has to get to the island at the last minute.

Taking the cargo ferry is not something I would recommend anyone try to do on vacation. There are rental cars available on the islands - reserve a car. On Culebra, there will be a car rental representative available for you when you get off the passenger ferry. On Vieques, it is better to take a taxi to the car rental agency.

If you drive to the Fajardo ferry terminal, there is a public parking lot that is available 24 hours/day. Your car should be fine parked in this lot. Also, there are locals that have parking available in small lots in the area around the ferry terminal.

A one-way ticket to Culebra costs $2.25 per person. A one-way ticket to Vieques costs $2.00 per person. Parking in the public lot costs about $5.00 per day.

Here is the ferry schedule, accurate as of Nov. 12, 2008:

Fajardo to Culebra (7 days/week & holidays) - 9:00am • 3:00pm • 7:00pm
Culebra to Fajardo (7 days/week & holidays) - 6:30am • 1:00pm • 5:00pm
Fajardo to Vieques (Monday to Friday) - 9:30am • 1:00pm • 4:30pm • 8:00pm
Fajardo to Vieques (Saturday, Sunday & Monday Holidays) - 9:00am • 3:00pm • 6:00pm
Vieques to Fajardo (Monday to Friday) - 6:30am • 11:00am • 3:00pm • 6:00pm
Vieques to Fajardo (Saturday, Sunday & Monday Holidays) - 6:30am • 1:00pm • 4:30pm

As of Nov. 12, 2008, there is no ferry service between the islands of Vieques and Culebra. Also, there is no high-speed ferry service to either island from the San Juan area.

Depending on wind and sea conditions, the trip between Fajardo and either island takes about 1 to 1½ hours each way.

To purchase tickets ahead of time for La Lancha, you can try calling 1-800-981-2005, 787-863-0705 ext 2222 or 787-863-0852, 787-863-4560. These numbers are only answered by humans Monday to Friday, from 8:00am to 11:00am, and from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. Once you get through, purchase your R/T tickets with your credit card. They will give you a reference #. On your travel day, you can pick up your tickets at the window at the Fajardo ticket office without having to wait in line. There should be a guard or official near the window, just tell him you have already paid for your tickets and need to pick them up. Be sure you have your reference number.
Use these numbers to check ferry times- Automated schedule information is available 24 hours/day.

Take Route 3 to Fajardo, and turn onto Route 194. There’s a traffic light and a Shell station at this intersection. It’s right near where Route 3 and Route 53 (the toll road) come together. Stay on Route 194 (it’s a winding road) until you get to Route 195. There’s a traffic light at this intersection, and a Burger King just through the light on the left. There’s also a sign for the ferry terminal on the corner. Turn right onto Route 195. Continue on Route 195 (it goes through a little town) until it ends. Pass through the arch at the end of the street (this will make sense when you see it), and the parking lot is on the right. The ferry terminal and ticket office is to the left. Just walk along the water after you park your car.

The ferry terminal in Fajardo is about a 45-minute drive from Rio Grande

You can locate the ferry terminal on our Interactive Island Map