Catch the Ferry from Ceiba to Culebra or Vieques
Update- 7/21 : Tourists/Visitors can take the designated PASSENGER ferry to/from Culebra and Vieques. They are designating a limited number of tickets for visitors, so they sell out QUICKLY! TOURISTS SHOULD BUY TICKETS ON THE ferry APP or ONLINE. Check their https://www.puertoricoferry.com page for more info .
There may be a few available at the ticket window at the dock, but not always. You can try buying them at window day of sailing…you may get lucky! All other ferries are for locals. No tourists on Cargo ferries. Small island locals will have priority over any other people visiting. ALL ITINERARIES AND RULES (like tourists being allowed to travel) ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
Always Check the the ferry itinerary page for the current schedule. It changes almost daily.
You can download the APP to buy tickets and check the ferry schedule. Their APP is called “City Experiences” by Hornblower. Go to their page on your phone and click “download the app”.
If they have any available tickets to be bought, ahead of time, you need to go to the ferry ticket page and/or download their APP. The web page and the APP are in English and Spanish and explains everything! Make sure you prepay for your “stuff” (chairs, coolers etc) at the same time or else you will need to stand in line at ticket window for these items. Note, usually only 20% of the tickets will be sold ahead of time, so if it says “sold out”, they are sold out online. There might be some available at the dock for sale..
Starting October 2018, all ferries will be operating out of the new ferry terminal in Ceiba. (No longer in Fajardo). There is also a contract with Puerto Rico Fast Ferries, who will operate their ships. These faster, modern ferries, coupled with the shorter route between Ceiba and Culebra/Vieques, will reduce the travel time needed to make the crossing.
The Ferries
The new ferries will be operated by HMS, under contract to the Puerto Rico Maritime Transportation Authority (MTA). They also have some cargo ferries and and the PR ATM will have some ferries in use when needed. Note- there are fewer seats available for passengers than we had with the ATM run ferries, so there may not be room for everyone that wants to use them.
The PR ATM will still be in charge of the operations (ticket sales, schedules etc). They may also be using their boats when needed. .
The Ferry Terminal
The terminal building and parking lot are located on Marina Drive in the old Roosevelt Roads Naval Base.
Ticket windows are located on the outside wall, waiting room for 400 people, still there are only portable toilets (some nice ones too) for bathrooms, but there is a concession stand for snacks/drinks (and one bathroom) are inside.
Passenger Ferry Schedule
For reasons I can’t figure out, the ferry schedule changes often (sometimes every day…due to weather, holidays, maintenance, break downs, someone’s whim…who knows why etc). Please check the official ferry page for the daily itinerary.
The passenger ferry for Ceiba is (as of 5/20/21)…
- Ceiba to Culebra
( Sunday, M, W, F) 6:00am • 9:00am • 1:00 pm • 4:00pm - Ceiba to Culebra
(T, Th, Sat) 6:00am •9:00am, •1:00pm •4:00pm - Culebra to Ceiba
( Sun, M, W, F)7:00am • 11:00am • 2:30pm • 5:30 pm - Culebra to Ceiba
(Tues, Th, Sat) 7:00am, • 11:00am, • 2:30pm • 5:30pm - Ceiba to Vieques (Isabel Segunda)
(Sunday, M, W, F) 5am • 7:30am • 10 am • 1pm • 5:00p • 7pm - Ceiba to Vieques
(T, Th, Sat) 4am • 5am • 7:30am • 10 am • 10:30am • 1pm •4 pm • 4:30p • 7pm. - Vieques to Ceiba
( Sunday, M, W, F) 6am •7:30am • 9am • 11 am • 3pm • 6p •7 pm • 8pm - Vieques to Ceiba
(T, Th, Sat) 5:45am • 6:00am • 9:00am • 11 am • 11:30am • 2:30pm • 3pm • 5pm ,• 6pm •8pm - Check the https://twitter.com/TranspMaritimo site for current schedule.
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The Cargo ferries current schedule.NOTE- This is a liquid schedule…it seems to change everyday! Check daily on the official site for official times for that day. :
- Ceiba to Culebra
(M,W,F, Sun) 4:30 am ,• 8:00am • 12:00pm • 3:30pm - Ceiba to Culebra
(T,TH,Sat) 5:00am - Culebra to Ceiba
(M, W,F, Sun) 6:30am • 10am • 2:00pm • 5pm - Culebra to Ceiba
(T,TH,Sat) 3:00pm - Ceiba to Vieques
(M,W,F, Sun) 5:00am, •7:30am •10 am • 5:00pm •7 pm. - Ceiba to Vieques
(T,TH,Sat) 4:00am, • 7:30am • 10:00am • 10:30am • 1:00pm, • 4:00pm.•7pm. - Vieques to Ceiba
(M,W,F, Sun) 7:30am •9 am • 11am • 7:00pm •8 pm - Vieques to Ceiba
(T,TH,Sat) 5:45am, • 9:00am • 11am • 11:30am • 2:30pm, • 5:00pm •8pm
This is the posted schedule 5/20/2021: NOTE- This is subject to change! Check daily on the official https://twitter.com/TranspMaritimo Twitter site for official times for that day.
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Check our cargo ferry articles for other info about the the cargo ferry.
The crossing with the new HMS ferries from Ceiba to Culebra should take about 45 minutes on the passenger ferries, while the crossing from Ceiba to Vieques should take about 30 minutes on the new passenger ferry. The ATM cargo ferries will take a little longer- about 45 mins to Vieques and about 1.5 hrs for Culebra. For now, the Vieques route will be to Isabel Segunda/Town pier (some time in the future, they will be using the Mosquito Pier) and Dewey in Culebra.
Can I Take My Rental Car to Culebra or Vieques?
Normally, The short answer is “it is really not a feasible option”. AT this time (4/21), the answer is NO- only residents of the small islands can use the cargo ferries.
There are two types of ferries that run between Ceiba/Culebra and Ceiba/Vieques — passenger ferries and cargo ferries. The passenger ferries carry passengers only — no cars. The cargo ferries carry both passengers and cargo (including cars). But, before you get all excited and think that you are going to save a couple bucks by taking your rental car over to Culebra or Vieques — think again. The cargo ferries are not intended for tourists. There is limited room that locals need for transportation and supplies. Your reservation may be bumped by a cargo truck that needs the spot. Or if there is a problem with the ferry, you may be stranded for hours or even days. They do not provide reliable tourist transport and the car rental agencies won’t be able to help if you have car trouble if you take the rental cars off of the main island of Puerto Rico.
Tourists Buying Tickets for a Passenger to Culebra MUST be done online at PRFERRY
For now, ticket prices are the same for everyone (locals and tourists)
A one-way ticket to Culebra costs $2.50 per person. A one-way ticket to Vieques costs $2.00 per person. . Kids 3-11 years old and seniors 60-74 years old cost $1.00 per person, seniors 75 years and older are free. There is a service charge when buying tickets online.
Ticket sales are still being handled by the PR MTA. Purchasing tickets can be done, online at the ferry ticket page, Small Island locals can still buy tickets in person, at the ferry terminal ticket window. Ticket window opens 1 hr before each scheduled trip. Only 20% of the tickets are sold online, so if it sells “sold out”, there are 80% of the tickets available in person. Most of these are for residents only, but they may have some available for tourists. Don’t forget to pay for your “stuff” (chairs, tents, coolers etc), or they will send you to the ticket window line to pay for them before allowing you to board.
For more info on routes and times and other ferry related things, you can try to call 787-497-7740 .
Directions to the Ceiba Ferry Terminal from the San Juan Area
The Ceiba ferry Terminal, as well as the Ceiba Airport, is located in the old Roosevelt Roads Naval Base in Ceiba. If you already know where the Ceiba Airport is, then finding the Ceiba Ferry Terminal will be easy for you.
Drive-time from the San Juan (SJU) Airport to the Ceiba Ferry Terminal is about 75-90 minutes.
If traveling to the ferry terminal from the San Juan area, you’ll want to take Route 26 east to Route 66 east to Route 3 east (toward Fajardo). Route 66 ends on Route 3 in Río Grande, so you’re taking Route 66 to the end. Note that Route 66 is a toll road, and an AutoExpreso transponder is required for the tolls.
Continue east on Route 3 toward Fajardo. Once in the Fajardo area, Route 3 becomes Route 53. Once you’re on Route 53, you’ll want to take Exit 2 at KM 1.4 (which is before the first toll booth). This is the exit for the Puerto del Rey Marina and the Ceiba Airport. At the end of the exit ramp, turn left under Route 53, then continue straight. This will put you back on Route 3 heading south. Then, really all you need to do is follow the signs for the Puerto del Rey Marina and the Ceiba Airport. Continue on Route 3 past the Puerto del Rey Marina on your left.
You’ll continue on Route 3 to KM 52.4, where you’ll turn left onto Tarawa Drive. Landmarks here include a solar farm on the right, and the “Bienvenidos Ceiba” sign in the photo above. Continue straight on Tarawa Drive until you arrive at the guardhouse at the entrance to the naval base. If there is a guard, just tell them that you are going to the ferry.
Once through the gate, follow the brown “Ferry” signs — At the first V, you’ll go left onto Forrestal Drive. At the second V, you’ll follow the road as it curves to the left. At the third V, go right. Then, finally, turn left onto Marina Drive. Continue on Marina Drive until you come to the parking area and blue DTOP ATM building on your right.
There is a large parking lot further down the road from the ferry terminal that will provide transportation to the ferry in a van. They charge $8 per 24 hr. I suggest you do not park on the side of the road, they do give out parking tickets.
Other Info
You can bring coolers, beach chairs, beach umbrellas, snorkel gear, etc. with you. The coolers and large things will be stored away from the seating areas — usually outside and/or 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 is a charge if you have extra stuff, just a buck or two each – supposedly only “one bag” per person allowed. Tell them what you are bringing at the ticket window, or you will have to run back and pay the additional fee before they allow you on the ferry. Animals are allowed on the ferry if they are in a crate or cage and you have paid the fee for them. Bikes are only allowed on the cargo ferry.
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 westbound trip back from Culebra/Vieques to be less rough than the eastbound trip to the islands.
You can refer to the Departamento de Transportación y Obras Públicas Facebook page for more information or to get answers to your questions (they do respond to messages sent through there).
We are in the process of updating the maps we use on our web site. While we're working on that, you can click on the GPS coordinates below to view the location on Google Maps ...
- Ferry Terminal, Ceiba: (18.230020, -65.618120)
- Ferry Terminal, Ceiba parking: (18.231330, -65.620210)
- Ferry Terminal, Culebra: (18.301423, -65.302541)
- Ferry Terminal, Vieques: (18.152438, -65.442971)
PuertoRicoDayTrips.com assumes no responsibility regarding your safety when participating in the activities described in this article. Please use common sense! If your mother or that little voice in your head tells you that you are about to do something stupid … then don't do it!
The ferry port is in town. You can get a guagua bus to the beaches. The drivers wait at the dock when the ferry comes in and you ask them.
Comment by Gwenn on 18 Jul 2021