Bahia Tapon Beach

Resembling more a large sandbar than a beach, Bahia Tapon's sands protects a large cove that is full of rocky bottoms and diverse wildlife on one side, and takes the blunt force of the open sea on the other. This unfortunately does not make it good for water sports, though anyone who appreciated natural beauty is sure to enjoy the views.

Situated on the island of Vieques, Bahia Tapon Beach is on the South edge of the island, You might want even if you aren't staying particularly close by. This beach is not just a pleasant attraction, it's one of the rare "quiet" beaches in Puerto Rico. While Bahia Tapon Beach may be a little more trouble to reach, it's a pleasure to find an undisturbed plot of sand like this one.

How to Access The Beach

You will have to travel within the national forest, heading down its airport road, and turning right (South) as if heading towards the more popular Garcia Beach. As you head south, the road splits. If you take the left road, you will end up at the beach.

Amenities and Ambiance

Unlike many cove beaches, the beach at Bahia Tapon is in the front of the cove, getting the full force of the waves, and in turn protecting the rest of the cove. This means the beach is often the resting place of driftwood and other debris caught in the ocean. Still, the surrounding forest and shallow cove give the beach a peaceful and natural appearance.

Unfortunately, you won't find any public restrooms along this coastline, so if you're visiting with small children you might want to consider a different location. The water here is clear and good for snorkeling, so grab your gear if you're wanting to check out the underwater sites.

What's Nearby

Attractions

Visitors will find this beach on the South coast of Vieques; the area is home to other attractions such as Puerto Ferro Lighthouse, which is one and a quarter miles to the south west.

If you want more information on the history of Puerto Rico, some of the nearby attractions offer a historical perspective of the country. For instance, nearby is Fortín Conde De Mirasol, which is a short cab ride away.

The beach is one type of attraction you can visit, but there's even more to see during your stay. The following table contains attractions that are the closest.

Activities and Attractions Near Bahia Tapon Beach

Attraction	Type	Distance	Direction	Island
Puerto Ferro Lighthouse	Lighthouse	1.3	SW	Vieques
Fortín Conde De Mirasol	Historical Site	3.4	NW	Vieques
Siddhia Hutchinson Fine Art Gallery	Art Gallery	3.7	NW	Vieques
Punta Mulas Lighthouse	Lighthouse	4.0	NW	Vieques
Vieques Conservation and Historical Trust	Museum	4.4	W	Vieques

Cities and Towns

The closest town is Fajardo, which is in an area with interesting things to do and see, but isn't as sprawling and crowded as some other areas. From the shore, Isabel Segunda isn't far off, maybe three and a half miles (six kilometers).

Hotels

The crowdedness of the shoreline can vary widely, depending on everything from the time the sun sets to how full nearby hotel rooms are. There are not many major hotels nearby, but it can appeal to visitors staying at some of the area's smaller options.

Because this beach is situated in a relatively popular vacation destination, it is not typically much of a challenge to find exactly the type of hotel you're looking for nearby. For guests looking to book a place that's near the ocean, the following table lists the options closest to Bahia Tapon Beach.

Accommodations near Bahia Tapon Beach

Hotel	Distance	Direction	Type
Hector's by the Sea	--	--	B & B
Seagate Hotel	3.2 mi.	NW	Hotel
Hix Island House	--	--	Lodge
Casa De Amistad	3.6 mi.	NW	Hotel
Vieques Ocean View Hotel	3.7 mi.	NW	Hotel
Ababor Suites	3.9 mi.	NNW	Hotel
Casa La Lanchita	4.0 mi.	NW	Hotel
Crow's Nest	4.0 mi.	WNW	Hotel
Bravo Beach Hotel	4.0 mi.	NW	Hotel
The Great Escape	4.1 mi.	W	B & B

Food

Even after a restful afternoon at the beach, the day isn't truly complete until you eat at a nearby restaurant, where you'll be able to try foods you've never heard of before, without going too far from the coast. One of the closest restaurants is Sol Food. This restaurant serves both Creole and International cuisines.

A list of nearby restaurants is included in the following table.

Restaurants near Bahia Tapon Beach

Restaurant Name	Phone	Cuisine	Style	Distance	Direction
Sol Food	--	Creole, International	Very Casual	2.2 mi.	WNW
Bieke's Bistro	(787) 741-6381	Argentenian, Caribbean	--	3.5 mi.	NW
El Patio Restaurant	(787) 741-6381	Creole	Very Casual	3.5 mi.	NW
Deli La Viequense	(787) 741-8213	International	Very Casual	3.5 mi.	NW
Sabores Restaurant	(787) 741-7000	Creole	Informal	3.6 mi.	NW
Yerbabuena Y Mas Health Food Store	(787) 567-4158	--	--	3.6 mi.	NW
Arena Mar Sunbays Cafe	(787) 741-0200	International	Very Casual	--	--
El Quenepo	(787) 741-1215	Spanish	Fine Dining	--	--
Hacienda Tropico	(787) 741-4000	--	--	--	--
La Central	(787) 741-1457	--	--	--	--
Mucho Gusto Restaurant	(787) 741-3300	Creole	Informal	--	--
Posada Vista Mar Restaurant	(787) 741-5052	--	--	--	--

Other Beaches

There are other beaches on Vieques you might like besides Bahia Tapon Beach.

If you like the ambiance at this beach, you might also like Naguabo Beach, found 21 and a half miles away. More active guests, though, may be interested in Caracas Beach, which could provide a little more opportunity for excitement, and is closer to nearby attractions. It's found a quarter mile to the west.

You might also want to visit Esperanza Beach, which is located four and a half miles away.

While the area offers plenty of picturesque views and exciting attractions, Bahia Tapon Beach is both a beautiful natural attraction, and a fun hangout spot.