Culebrita Island

Geography

Culebrita is a coral island approximately 1 mile in length and a tourist spot. It is roughly y-shaped with three branches extending from the island's center. Punta del Este is the easternmost landmass of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

There are six beaches on Culebrita, the chief one being Playa Tortuga (Turtle Beach) on the north side of the island. The beach is named for the many sea turtles that use the beach for breeding grounds and the surrounding waters for grazing. Sea turtles Tina and Ike call Playa Tortuga home. The other two large beaches are Trash Beach and West Beach. Because Trash Beach is located on the windward side of the island, debris is often blown onto this beach. This is how the beach gets its name. West Beach is where the water taxis from Culebra Island dock.

There are also large tidal pools on the east side of the island where people lounge as if they were large baths. The pools trap small sea life at low tide. The west side of the island contains two lagoons. The Culebrita Reef lays off the southern coast of the island.

Wetlands

Isla Culebrita has two shallow lagoons, the largest of which, Laguna de Molino (Mill Lagoon), is located in northwest branch of the island. It covers approximately 5.5 acre and is about 3 ft below sea level. The second lagoon, referred to as the eastern tidal flat, is located near the middle of the island's west coast and covers about 0.9 acre. Both lagoons are bordered on the seaward-side by a small mangrove fringe.{{cite web |author=Ellis Environmental Group, LC|title=Environmental and Cultural Resources Surveys for Isla Culebrita |url= https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Portals/44/docs/FUDS/Culebrita%20_%20Enviro_%20Cultural%20_Survey_2006.pdf |date=November 2006 |access-date=7 December 2011}} These wetlands are an important habitat for some of the local wildlife.

Flora and fauna

In 2006, an environmental and cultural resource survey of Culebrita was carried out by Southeastern Archaeological Research (SEARCH) of Jonesville, Florida and Ellis Environmental Group, LC, in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Huntsville in order to identify “cultural resources, sensitive habitats, and endangered plants and animals that may exist” on Isla Culebrita. During the survey, a total of 97 plant species were recorded, none of which are state or federally threatened or endangered species. In addition, 32 birds, four reptiles, and two mammals were recorded. Of these animals, one federally endangered species, the brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) and one threatened species, the white-cheeked pintail (Anas bahamensis) were observed. Endangered green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) were also observed on the island.

The endangered Culebra skink live on Culebrita.

Gallery

Lighthouse on Culebrita, Culebra, Puerto Rico.jpg|Remains of the Lighthouse on Culebrita North Anchorage View From Faro Tower.JPG|North Anchorage view from Faro Tower on Culebrita Turismo en Culebrita, Barrio Fraile, Culebra, Puerto Rico.jpg|Tourists in Culebrita Culebrita Island.png|A photo taken of people snorkeling in Culebrita Culebrita_Island.jpg|Culebrita and its lighthouse (foreground) and Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (background) from Culebra Island

References

References

1. "Culebrita Island".
2. Williams, Erin. (28 October 2015). "Culebra, Off Puerto Rico's East Coast, Is A Rustic, Beautiful Island".
3. Deane, Zain. "Review of Culebra's Culebrita Island". About.com Guide.
4. (10 March 2020). "Lawsuit Launched to Protect Rare Caribbean Lizards as Endangered".