Isla de Caja de Muertos
Isla de Caja de Muertos
4.5
8:30 AM - 3:30 AM
Monday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
8:30 AM - 3:30 AM
Friday
8:30 AM - 3:30 AM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 3:30 AM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 3:30 AM
About
Isla de Caja de Muertos is an uninhabited island 8 miles off the coast of Puerto Rico, perfect for a day trip of swimming, relaxing and exploring the Caribbean setting. As part of the Caja de Muertos Nature Reserve, it's home to beautiful reefs, marine life and greenery. Here, you can set off on one of the impressive hiking trails through the undisturbed forest, which leads to an interesting old lighthouse and even a pirates’ cave. You can also book a local boat tour to go snorkeling. This island is a ferry ride away from La Guancha in Ponce.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
527 reviews
Excellent
428
Very good
63
Average
17
Poor
6
Terrible
13
Dana R
Bayport, NY34 contributions
Jun 2022 • Friends
We went on a private boat, what an amazing island it is. Hopefully, it will open back up soon so people can go. The last time we were there was in May 2022 and they had building material over there to rehab the place, so hopefully it will be open again soon.
Written May 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matt R
Portland, ME3 contributions
Dec 2019 • Friends
The crew and experience on the island were fantastic. Great way to get out to an island and spend a day on the beach, hiking, snorkeling and relaxing. They provide lunch, snacks, soda and beer as part of the package and there are are cocktails available to buy. They provide equipment for snorkeling and floatation devices as well as beach chairs for a small fee. Worth every penny.
Written January 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I9150XCthomaso
Dallas, TX35 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
Booked through Island Venture. Be sure to read your information packet before arrival. Departure is from the Ponce Boardwalk. The catamaran trip to the island takes about 25 minutes. I am a notorious seasick traveler and took Dramamine about 1 hour before departure. NO PROBLEMS! No shoes allowed while on board. The boat docks close to shore but still 5-6 ft deep. If you don’t have a waterproof bag your gear (including towels, shoes, phone, sunglasses, etc will get soaked, not wet, soaked! BE PREPARED!!! 2 chairs and umbrella cost me $27 for the day, and the crew sets it up for you. Lunch is served from 12-1 sharp! Cold cuts, cheese, chips and macaroni salad. The bread alone was worth the trip. Getting from the boat to shore was not a chore except for the rocks. Wear swim shoes if you have them. Waves are strong at times. But no one was overwhelmed. The hike to the lighthouse takes 25-30 min each way. It’s a hike! You will need supportive shoes. Great view. Lots of information about the island. The waters were clear and I did see some fish while snorkeling. We were the only boat at the island so there was no overcrowding at the beach. Captain Jose and the crew were outstanding. Beer and soft drinks were provided free of charge. Liquor drinks were cash bar. Fruit and cookies were served shortly before departure. We drove from Condado and it took about 90 minutes each way on a very good 4 lane highway with tolls. The drive was gorgeous through the mountains. And was a great part of the full day. We travel to Puerto Rico often and have taken many excursions. Put this on your bucket list especially if you are in the Ponce area.
Written January 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jaddielp2017
San Antonio, TX134 contributions
Mar 2021 • Family
Isla Caja de Muertos in Ponce is a beautiful beach to enjoy. There is a short ride to the Island, but the sand and the water is the best in the south side of the Island. Very safe to swim or snorkeling. It could get a little crowded during holidays.
Written March 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
brananedgens
New York City, NY1 contribution
Jul 2015 • Family
Island Ventures
The good: the boats left on time, the island itself is beautiful, the kabobs were okay.
The bad: This is essentially a "booze cruise" lasting 45 min each way. The music, which was the crews' primary concern, was peaking around 110db through their giant speakers, about the same as a jackhammer and just about as enjoyable. There were a couple a babies trying to plug their ears and crying the whole ride, thankfully I could not hear their screams over the music.
They were happy to rent us snorkeling gear, which required standing in line for 15 min even though there were only 4 people in front of me, but didn't bother to tell us the visibility was less than one foot. It's a sandy bottom beach - nothing to see here anyway. When asked about the coral reef we were told we should have chartered a private boat to take us to the other side of the island. Thanks! Where was this information before?
Anyway... Got up at 5:30 am, drove two hours, was blasted with "Twisted Sister" at 8:30 am. All to snorkel a murky area of sandy water and ride home with a boatload of drunks.
The good: the boats left on time, the island itself is beautiful, the kabobs were okay.
The bad: This is essentially a "booze cruise" lasting 45 min each way. The music, which was the crews' primary concern, was peaking around 110db through their giant speakers, about the same as a jackhammer and just about as enjoyable. There were a couple a babies trying to plug their ears and crying the whole ride, thankfully I could not hear their screams over the music.
They were happy to rent us snorkeling gear, which required standing in line for 15 min even though there were only 4 people in front of me, but didn't bother to tell us the visibility was less than one foot. It's a sandy bottom beach - nothing to see here anyway. When asked about the coral reef we were told we should have chartered a private boat to take us to the other side of the island. Thanks! Where was this information before?
Anyway... Got up at 5:30 am, drove two hours, was blasted with "Twisted Sister" at 8:30 am. All to snorkel a murky area of sandy water and ride home with a boatload of drunks.
Written August 25, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CynthaDelTorro
Milwaukee, WI173 contributions
Mar 2015 • Couples
We took the day trip offered by Island Ventures to Isla Caja de Muertos. We booked the "deluxe" tour which included food and beverag for $53.50. We arrived at the ferry dock promptly at 7:30 and were boarded just after 8 am. The ferry was full and most people brought their own chairs and coolers. When we arrived at the island we rented and umbrella and two chairs. We were really glad to have the big umbrella to supply some shade. We selected a spot on the beach and the guys from the ferry came and dug a hole and set up the umbrella for us. We received 12 food and beverage tickets with our deluxe package. Food items - hot dogs and bbq chicken skewers- were two tickets each. Beer, soda and water were all ticket each. We didn't realize it but we could have used the ticket to get beverages on the ferry ride over. Food must be ordered on the boat upon arrival on the island so they know how much to cook. We got two of each and it was more than enough food for the two of us. The chicken skewers are large meaty and covered in bbq sauce. They come with sliced french bread.
We spent the morning relaxing on the beach. It is recommended that hiking to lighthouse etc in the morning as it gets hotter throughout the day. We brought our own snorkel gear. They rent it too. However, the snorkeling wasn't great due to the cloudiness of the water. After lunch my husband decided to hike to the lighthouse and I stayed on the beach. He said the walk was achievable for someone with a reasonable amount of mobility. The views were outstanding up there.
At the end of the day we gathered on the ferry dock at the time were instructed. The ferry was quickly loaded and left exactly on time. Minutes later two stragglers appeared on the dock an the ferry went back to get them. Once we were again underway for about 15 minutes the ferry turned around and to go and get two more stragglers. Don't be a straggler and make sure you have your belongings! One of the park employees found someone's car keys after we left as well.
All in all this was an excellent trip and Isla Caja de Muertos is a beautiful place to spend the day.
We spent the morning relaxing on the beach. It is recommended that hiking to lighthouse etc in the morning as it gets hotter throughout the day. We brought our own snorkel gear. They rent it too. However, the snorkeling wasn't great due to the cloudiness of the water. After lunch my husband decided to hike to the lighthouse and I stayed on the beach. He said the walk was achievable for someone with a reasonable amount of mobility. The views were outstanding up there.
At the end of the day we gathered on the ferry dock at the time were instructed. The ferry was quickly loaded and left exactly on time. Minutes later two stragglers appeared on the dock an the ferry went back to get them. Once we were again underway for about 15 minutes the ferry turned around and to go and get two more stragglers. Don't be a straggler and make sure you have your belongings! One of the park employees found someone's car keys after we left as well.
All in all this was an excellent trip and Isla Caja de Muertos is a beautiful place to spend the day.
Written March 8, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leah S
Ingleside, IL5 contributions
Apr 2014 • Solo
There seemed to be some mixed reviews online, so hopefully this helps.
If you want to get away for the day, then I would definitely recommend this trip. There are two ticket options, one comes with food vouchers and the other does not. The food is fairly limited (hot dogs or chicken skewers) and while they are tasty they might not be to everyone’s liking. You can bring your own food and coolers but coolers are an additional charge on the ferry. There is also water and beer for purchase as well. There are lounge chairs and umbrellas for rent, which I would highly recommend as the noonday heat beats down on you, and it is nice to not have to carry all that junk onto the ferry.
It is worth it to trek to the lighthouse for the beautiful views, but make sure you do this first thing in the morning as you won’t want to make that climb in the afternoon heat. And it can be a climb! Only the first half of the walk is on nice flat ground.
The ferry ride is 45 minutes long and can be a bit choppy at times, so if you are a person prone to motion sickness make sure to come prepared. Also be prepared to be on the island for a whole day as there is only one ferry there in the morning and one ferry back in the afternoon.
If you want to get away for the day, then I would definitely recommend this trip. There are two ticket options, one comes with food vouchers and the other does not. The food is fairly limited (hot dogs or chicken skewers) and while they are tasty they might not be to everyone’s liking. You can bring your own food and coolers but coolers are an additional charge on the ferry. There is also water and beer for purchase as well. There are lounge chairs and umbrellas for rent, which I would highly recommend as the noonday heat beats down on you, and it is nice to not have to carry all that junk onto the ferry.
It is worth it to trek to the lighthouse for the beautiful views, but make sure you do this first thing in the morning as you won’t want to make that climb in the afternoon heat. And it can be a climb! Only the first half of the walk is on nice flat ground.
The ferry ride is 45 minutes long and can be a bit choppy at times, so if you are a person prone to motion sickness make sure to come prepared. Also be prepared to be on the island for a whole day as there is only one ferry there in the morning and one ferry back in the afternoon.
Written June 30, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
zcdj12
Weatherford, TX46 contributions
Jun 2012 • Family
My wife and I visited Ponce in June of 2012. We used Trip Advisor and decided to venture to Isla Caja de Muertos. We called Island Ventures at 4:30 on Friday for a Saturday trip and only got an answering machine. When we arrived in Ponce we went to La Guancha (the Boardwalk in Ponce and Port) to see if we could see someone about making a reservation. Their sign at first looked like they give evening cruises on Fridays but upon looking closer they were not giving night bay tours so we decided to get to the port at 7:30 am on Saturday morning in hopes to catch someone getting ready for the 8:30 am departure. Upon arrival there was someone there prepping the boat and eventually someone, I think Charlie was his name, arrived and had a list so I spoke to him. He indicated to me that the 8:30 am was completely booked but they happened to be making a second trip at 10:30 am. He checked and he said we were lucky as there was enough room to get a spot on the second sailing that they don't always do. [Email or Call in advance during the day before 4:00 pm as you will want to have a reservation for this trip].
When taking this trip there is no food or water on the island. Also I didn't see the availability to rent chairs or umbrellas as mentioned on Island Ventures poorly constructed website. So you will want to bring your own but you must be able to carry it and walk with it so don't bring too much unless you have the ability to carry it. Some locals had grills etc but be aware that you are required to bring all the trash off the island back with you. The boat is sizable and most everyone had coolers and even one family had Krispy Kreme doughnuts (Greasy doughnuts in the hot sun. Blaah). If you do bring coolers etc please make sure there isn't a problem with stuff getting wet. To balance the boat they wisely require that you place it in the front and the back of the boat that can be subject to misting and splash from the small waves. Also if you get sea sick super easy there is some rocking on the boat for the duration over. Not terrible but could bother those who are super sensitive to motion sickness. Trip over took about 45 minutes.
We launched on time and they were very professional and orderly with the embarkation process from La Guancha Boardwalk and Cruiseport. The bar opened on the boat upon departure and they had really good prices on beer and basic snacks (nothing extensive). My heart was more at peace upon arrival as I did see that the island had a local Dept of Transportation Boat and later an Ambulance boat came over (this may of just been the day we were there).
The side of the island facing the mainland is open for human recreation and the side facing the open ocean is a turtle preserve where beach use is prohibited in order to not endanger the turtle habitat. A board walk lead us to a small museum and an area with about 12 small shelters. My temptation was to go down to the beach closest to the boat but upon walking toward the back of the island and then toward the hill opposite of the lighthouse I found a pathway near the fence that leads down to a less crowded section of beach away from the loud music of the locals that had brought their big boats over. We found a palm tree used it for some limited shade.
I spent the day enjoying the beautiful beach and the water. I tried to snorkel but the water was cloudy due to the very fine sand this island possesses. I did see some things on the side nearest the hill opposite of the lighthouse but not much. Paid dearly for it too as the sunscreen I had wore off. Enjoyed the noise of the small waves and the selection of stones on the beach.
The ride home was a little more concerning. I was given the impression two boats would return to the island an hour apart. The boat loaded up and everyone got on. Seemingly we loaded both boat loads on to the boat on the way back. Made it nearly standing room only. Also the bar continued to serve a bunch of older guys in a fraternity that were obviously hammered drunk and loud and obnoxious.
Still $20.00 and a day well spent in the Carribean. Would recommend it to anyone who wants to enjoy the beauty of a remote island in a setting that has less accessibility. Mata La Gata and Gilligans Island in PR both get too full because they run boats back and forth to the mainland all day. This is the opposite a limited number of folks due to the distance.
When taking this trip there is no food or water on the island. Also I didn't see the availability to rent chairs or umbrellas as mentioned on Island Ventures poorly constructed website. So you will want to bring your own but you must be able to carry it and walk with it so don't bring too much unless you have the ability to carry it. Some locals had grills etc but be aware that you are required to bring all the trash off the island back with you. The boat is sizable and most everyone had coolers and even one family had Krispy Kreme doughnuts (Greasy doughnuts in the hot sun. Blaah). If you do bring coolers etc please make sure there isn't a problem with stuff getting wet. To balance the boat they wisely require that you place it in the front and the back of the boat that can be subject to misting and splash from the small waves. Also if you get sea sick super easy there is some rocking on the boat for the duration over. Not terrible but could bother those who are super sensitive to motion sickness. Trip over took about 45 minutes.
We launched on time and they were very professional and orderly with the embarkation process from La Guancha Boardwalk and Cruiseport. The bar opened on the boat upon departure and they had really good prices on beer and basic snacks (nothing extensive). My heart was more at peace upon arrival as I did see that the island had a local Dept of Transportation Boat and later an Ambulance boat came over (this may of just been the day we were there).
The side of the island facing the mainland is open for human recreation and the side facing the open ocean is a turtle preserve where beach use is prohibited in order to not endanger the turtle habitat. A board walk lead us to a small museum and an area with about 12 small shelters. My temptation was to go down to the beach closest to the boat but upon walking toward the back of the island and then toward the hill opposite of the lighthouse I found a pathway near the fence that leads down to a less crowded section of beach away from the loud music of the locals that had brought their big boats over. We found a palm tree used it for some limited shade.
I spent the day enjoying the beautiful beach and the water. I tried to snorkel but the water was cloudy due to the very fine sand this island possesses. I did see some things on the side nearest the hill opposite of the lighthouse but not much. Paid dearly for it too as the sunscreen I had wore off. Enjoyed the noise of the small waves and the selection of stones on the beach.
The ride home was a little more concerning. I was given the impression two boats would return to the island an hour apart. The boat loaded up and everyone got on. Seemingly we loaded both boat loads on to the boat on the way back. Made it nearly standing room only. Also the bar continued to serve a bunch of older guys in a fraternity that were obviously hammered drunk and loud and obnoxious.
Still $20.00 and a day well spent in the Carribean. Would recommend it to anyone who wants to enjoy the beauty of a remote island in a setting that has less accessibility. Mata La Gata and Gilligans Island in PR both get too full because they run boats back and forth to the mainland all day. This is the opposite a limited number of folks due to the distance.
Written July 7, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PArevalo
Redwood City, CA24 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
I have tried several times these last 2 years to visit this island. There are no clear instructions on how to catch a ferry. Each review states that there is a ferry. Here is the scoop. You will have to book your private ferry ride with the advertised ferry (privately owned). I hear the ferry goes out twice a week. That's it. We took a 3 hours trip to Ponce early in the morning 5 am to find out that there was no ferry. It had to be prearranged/booked earlier. No other options. I wish they would advertise more information about how to arrange a trip to this island. I am frustrated and hoping one day to actually see the island and not just the pier.
Written July 10, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
So sorry for your frustration at the moment you can book an excursion with Island Ventures out of Caja de Muertos from La Guancha. Trips include marina transportation to the Island on a power catamaran, lunch, beverages & use of paddle boards and kayaks. Please note it's important to book in advance to secure your spaces. Please don't hesitate if we can be any further assistance.
Written August 31, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
VivianMG
Sterling, VA9 contributions
Dec 2014 • Family
This place is absolutely breathtaking! Caja de Muerto is a little gem in PR's south coast. We went with Island Venture, which appears to be the only ferry that provides service to/from Caja de Muerto. Their website is the following: http://islandventurepr.com/en. Service was excellent. We purchased the Deluxe package which included 12 tickets for food/beverage (more than enough for a full day). Ferry departs at 8:30am sharp from La Guancha pier in Ponce. It takes approximately 45 min to get there. They allow you to bring coolers but you will have to pay $5 to carry it on the vessel. Also, Island Venture provides umbrellas/chairs for $10 each. Make sure to call ahead and request your umbrella/chair if you have a Deluxe package, because these are usually set aside for folks who purchase tickets through Oferta del Dia (PR's equivalent to Groupon). The island has no fresh water/bathrooms so make sure to bring all your supplies with you to last from 9am until 3:30pm (ferry's departure time). There are bathrooms inside the ferry if you needed one, the vessel stays all day long in Caja de Muerto until departure. The ferry also has a bar where you can purchase beers and other alcoholic drinks. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful. I made the mistake of not taking an umbrella with me and the staff immediately assisted me in finding one. The island also has gazebos, a small museum, and a lighthouse. People can go to the lighthouse but is not recommended to go inside the structure because it was built in the 1800's and the building is in extreme decay. Be mindful of not leaving ANY trash behind. So take a couple of trash bags with you and carry all waste back to the ferry. Dept of Natural Resources has folks on site and they have authority to fine you if you leave trash behind or litter in the premises. My family had a great time (note that I took our 5 yr old) and we definitely would LOVE to go back. This place is beautiful for whatever type of group you plan to take, friends, family, children, couples, etc.. Can't recommend this place -and Island Venture- enough!
Written December 31, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nicole H
Toledo, Ohio
Is it s till possible to get to this island? And if so, who can I contact? Thanks
Written September 27, 2022
Is it open now for visitors? Do you have to reserve ahead of time the Ferry?
Written May 11, 2022
I don’t know how to swim at all and I am worried that I will be stuck on the boat all day because of that. Is there a safe way to make it to the shore? I am afraid to drown! I really want to visit when I am in Ponce in Feb 20 for Carnaval.
Written November 23, 2019
I can't swim and I had a great time. They gave me a flotation belt that even allowed me to go snorkeling and again, I can't swim! If you want to bring anything to the beach make sure you have a waterproof bag. I just put my cellphone in a plastic bag. Didn't need anything else. Got to snorkel with sea turtles and the lunch was great.
Written February 5, 2020
Hi, how did you find out about the boat schedule and location that it leaves from? Looking to plan a trip in two weeks.
Written August 29, 2019
We depart from La Guancha on Ponce. You can find us on Facebook as Island Venture Water Excursions for more information.
Written August 30, 2019
Debbie P
Camrose, Canada
Hi, Debbie. What would you like to know about this attraction?
I'm not a swimmer and am grateful you added that to get from the boat to the island we have to get in the water. Question: how deep would you say it is and is it quite calm? It looks like a beautiful island to visit and hoping I can make the "trip" from boat to shore :)
Written March 9, 2019
Hi. The deph is only 5 to 6 feet. But we can Provide assistant with a kayak to help you to reach the shore.
Written March 10, 2019
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