Flamenco Beach facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Flamenco Beach Playa Flamenco
Beach
US military tank on Flamenco Beach
Municipality	Culebra Island
Activities	Swimming Camping Scuba Diving or snorkeling
Lifeguards	YES, on duty
Blue Flag Beach Status	Active

Flamenco Beach is a famous public beach located on the Caribbean island of Culebra. It's known for its clear, shallow turquoise water and soft white sand. The beach stretches for about a mile around a bay shaped like a horseshoe. It's a very popular spot for both locals and visitors to Puerto Rico. In 2014, TripAdvisor named Flamenco Beach the 3rd best beach in the world! It has also earned the international Blue Flag Beach award, which means it meets high standards for water quality, safety, and environmental care.

Exploring Flamenco Beach

Flamenco Beach is on the northern side of Culebra island. It's a beautiful strip of coast about half a mile wide. The beach is next to the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge is one of the oldest wildlife protection areas in the United States. Just a short distance from the shore, there's a coral reef where ocean waves break. The beach is famous for its bright white sand and super clear, shallow water.

Amazing Animals and Plants

The waters around Flamenco Beach are full of amazing sea creatures. You might spot colorful parrot fish and blue tang. There are also many types of wrasse and other fish found in the Caribbean Sea. Look closely, and you might see ghost crabs scurrying on the sand!

Every summer, about 50,000 seabirds come to Culebra’s Flamenco Peninsula to build their nests. Most of these are sooty terns and other birds that travel long distances. If you visit in summer, you'll see them flying and feeding in large groups. By September, they gather their young and fly out to sea, returning the next summer.

Sometimes, you might even see large sea turtles like leatherbacks and hawksbills. The beaches of Culebra are important nesting spots for them. The nearby seagrass beds also provide a safe home and food for green sea turtles.

The Famous Rusting Tanks

Rusty Sherman Tank on Flamenco Beach

One of the most unique sights at Flamenco Beach are two old, rusty Sherman tanks. The United States Navy left them behind in 1975. Before that, the area was used for weapons testing for over 30 years.

The salty sea air has made the metal tanks rust and crumble over time. But locals have turned them into art! They've covered the tanks with layers of colorful graffiti. Today, these tanks are a special part of the beach's beauty. New graffiti is always being added, giving these old war machines a cheerful new look.

Camping Site at Flamenco Beach

Flamenco Beach seascape

Visiting Flamenco Beach

Flamenco Beach is considered the best beach in Puerto Rico and one of the best in the world! It's easy to visit because it has lifeguard towers for safety. There are also small shops, called kiosks, where you can buy food and beach items. You can easily get to the beach from the town of Dewey, which is where the ferry boat arrives.

Top Beach Rankings

Flamenco Beach has been recognized as one of the world's best beaches multiple times:

• In 2014, it was ranked 3rd by TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards.
• In 2015, it was ranked 8th by TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards.
• In 2016, it was ranked 6th by TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards.
• In 2017, it was ranked 13th by TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards.

Beach Facilities

The beach has restrooms and showers for visitors. There are also about six kiosks selling delicious local food. You can find refreshing drinks like piña colada and mango smoothies. They also offer tasty meals like rice-and-beans burritos and fresh seafood, including conch salad and fish skewers. Flamenco Beach even has a special area for camping. You can camp there for a fee, and it provides clean water, bathrooms, and showers.

Fun Activities at the Beach

Flamenco Beach offers many ways to have fun:

• Swimming: There are areas marked with buoys that are safe for swimming. The water is shallow, making it safe for both swimmers and those who are still learning.
• Sunbathing: The beach is perfect for sunbathing all year round. Just remember to use plenty of sunblock to protect your skin from the strong tropical sun!
• Scuba and Snorkeling: Explore the underwater world! There are reefs, sea urchins, and many different kinds of fish and other marine animals to see.
• Walking and Hiking: The horseshoe shape of the bay makes for a great walking path along the sand. You can also find trails nearby for bird-watching or taking photos of nature.

Images for kids

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  Dive sites at the beach

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  Isolated part of Flamenco Beach

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  General view

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  "...?" spray painted on the rear of a Sherman tank left over from U.S. military shelling practice

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  Bird's eye view of Flamenco Beach

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  Camping Site at Flamenco Beach

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  Campsite at Flamenco Beach

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  Beachgoers walk on Flamenco Beach

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  White sand of Flamenco Beach

See also

In Spanish: Playa Flamenco para niños