Tres Palmas Marine Reserve
Tres Palmas Marine Reserve
4.5
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4.5
270 reviews
Excellent
190
Very good
62
Average
16
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Surrio
29 contributions
Reserva Marina Tres Palmas or Tres Palmas or "steps" in Rincón it's a Beach Lover's Paradise/Playground... It's kind of moody but beautiful beach that provides a little bit of everything. It offers a real nice Stand Up Paddle Board space where you can go to up to Maria's to get a Piña Colada and return. You'll see the tip of the lighthouse during this journey in top of the reef. Snorkeling its a must see. Down there is the second biggest concentration of elkhorn coral reef in the whole Island. You got to start to the right (North) where you can find the elkhorn but also parrotfish and blue tangs. A rare hawksbill sea turtle may be under one of those reef outside, but that is a little bit farther into the sea. You can go left (South) later on. There you can see brain reef and sea fans. Tres Palmas also provides for the divers. There is an outside reef to the West at 25-40 feet. If you just want to relax, there is a small sand spot to bathe but plenty to float on if you bring a flotation device to swing with the sea! There is not that much parking space, but there is a place where you can rent snorkeling gear, paddle board, food and drinks. This Reserve is one of the very rare beaches in the Island that the conditions are influenced by the season. What I mean is that surfing season is during the North winter season so because of the waves you would not be able to do none of the above but surf. The early bird gets the bonus...close parking space, a good spot at the shadow under the trees or the sunny sand, low/none wind to do the good stuff but most important because it usually rains or gets cloudy. Because of the trade winds the afternoon scattered showers move to the West. After 1pm anything goes from sunny to rain to cloudy to beautiful sunset! Enjoy the Tropics!!
Written September 1, 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.
Matt Knott
Harpers Ferry, WV85 contributions
Apr 2011
Steps Beach in Ricon in the Tres Palmas Marine Reserve has great snorkeling off the beach. The beach is coral and so it doesn't have alot of sand for kids to play in, but they can litterally step off the edge into about 5 feet of pretty calm water and see tropical fish 1 foot off shore. If you venture out farther there are amazing elk horn and brain coral and thousands of tropical fish. It is a great place to spend the day. There are trees around the edge to provide shade and a beautiful sunset in the evening. There is a little local food trailer just off the beach that serves great local fresh caught seafood on a stick and empadillas? (fried seafood in a folded over tortilla). Don't miss it if you visit Rincon.
Written April 23, 2011
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.
Amy H
Minnesota160 contributions
Jan 2013 • Couples
We stopped at Steps Beach after a surfing lesson to do some snorkeling in the Tres Palmas Marine Reserve and we were pleasantly surprised with the great snorkeling right off shore! The Marine Reserve has lots of beautiful coral, fish, and plantlife. We also had the privilege of scuba diving off of Steps Beach at "Big Step", also within the reserve, and we saw a sea turtle!
Written January 14, 2013
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.
kimmer1266
Sheboygan, WI37 contributions
Jan 2013 • Couples
Steps Beach is a centralized beach spot and THE local snorkeling area in the Tres Palmas Marine Reserve. This beach is very quiet and had four people snorkeling when we arrived. Enter the water in the sandy area to the left of the steps for greatest comfort. The water depth drops very quickly, and there is plenty of coral and fish to see toward the point to your right. My husband saw a sea turtle, but I missed it! There were oodles of brightly colored tropical fish and tons of brain and elkhorn coral. The waters were a little rough for me, but I guess the winter months have that tendancy. Early morning and late afternoons provide the clearest and calmest waters for snorkeling.
Written February 4, 2013
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.
Natalie T
Chicago, IL4 contributions
Jan 2012 • Couples
So my husband and I heard that rincon was a great little area with beautiful beaches. Ahhh wrong! The ocean as always was beautiful, but this was not a nice beach. There are nicer beaches along the lake in Chicago. How sad..... The beach was small, with nothing to do or see. Access and parking was not very good either.
Written January 8, 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.
Rena G
Gonzales, TX17 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
We were searching for a good place to snorkel from a beach in Puerto Rico. We found reviews on this area and "steps beach"' so decided to try it. Being avid divers, we are very particular about where we go this trip was a business trip, so had to settle for snorkeling. As it was, I can't imagine it being any better if we had dove it. It was awesome! The elkhorn coral was EVERYWHERE and was huge and beautiful! Also saw the largest puffer and lobster we've ever seen on the Caribbean. We can't wait to go back and dive more of the area. Down side - the drive from San Juan. It's awful. 80 miles of stop and go traffic. It too us 3 hours to go 80 miles going there. I think we made the trip back to San Juan in about 2 hours. Ugh. The best thing to do would be to plan to stay there 2-3 days instead of making it a day-trip.
Written August 6, 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.
PhillyVoyager
Philadelphia, PA123 contributions
Feb 2013 • Couples
We entered the Reserve via a catamaran, the Katerina that was a short sail from the "marina". The snorkeling was okay with much better coral than I have seen in many areas directly off the coast in Puerto Rico, but the fish variety was minimal. What was much better for snorkeling was the trip out to Desecheo where the snorkeling was great. We used Taino Divers and they were very good.
Written February 24, 2013
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.
Eric G
Huntington Beach, CA3 contributions
Jan 2013 • Solo
A secluded beach north of Rincon and in the center of the Tres Palmas Marine Reserve, this fantastic snorkel site is unmarked alongside the nearest road (except for a sign labeled "Steps Quick Lunch", who serve food/beverages and rent snorkel gear).
Parking is scarce but most people park along the dirt access road. When I arrived, there were others already snorkeling so I figured out pretty quick the best spots. The coral reaches all the way to the beach. About 5 steps into the water and the reef drops off to ~5-10 foot deep water. Beneath the surface lie some of the best/largest Elkhorn Coral I've seen anywhere! Plenty of tropical fish around and even a few sea turtles.
When I snorkeled in late January, the surf was relatively calm and water was decently clear (I've experienced clearer), but there is plenty of room to look around and no crowds to deal with. Also a fantastic place to watch the sunset! highly recommended.
Parking is scarce but most people park along the dirt access road. When I arrived, there were others already snorkeling so I figured out pretty quick the best spots. The coral reaches all the way to the beach. About 5 steps into the water and the reef drops off to ~5-10 foot deep water. Beneath the surface lie some of the best/largest Elkhorn Coral I've seen anywhere! Plenty of tropical fish around and even a few sea turtles.
When I snorkeled in late January, the surf was relatively calm and water was decently clear (I've experienced clearer), but there is plenty of room to look around and no crowds to deal with. Also a fantastic place to watch the sunset! highly recommended.
Written January 25, 2013
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.
Texirican
San Juan, Puerto Rico207 contributions
Jun 2012 • Friends
Tres Palmas Marine Reserve has been in existence for some five years....the marine life here has made a dramatic recovery and is one of the best examples of StagHorn coral in Caribe. The best entry spot for snorkeling is @ Steps Beach. Head out on small beach left of "steps" and then herad out 100 - 200 yards - thje reef makes a nice arc around the point here. I do not recommend snorkeling or swimming when there is swell (Oct - April) as wave can make for a dangerous scenario as waves break over shallow inside reef. Summer can have glassy, 50 foot visibility - great variety - out yesterday and saw tarpon, a flounder, Queen Angel fish, and if course Blue tangs, Sergeant majors, etc. There is also Anuedi's beach shack that sells pimchos and refrescos....
Written June 25, 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.
Isla Mar R
Rincon, Puerto Rico6 contributions
Jun 2017 • Friends
The Tres Palmas Marine Reserve is our home reef and backyard at Isla Mar Research Expeditions. This place is fully alive with corals and fish, perfect for snorkeling and diving. We teach all our scientific data collection skills to our students here. And if you're looking for educational snorkel tours, then you'd be joining us at Tres Palmas too! This is our favorite snorkel spot.
Written March 27, 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.
What are the GPS coordinates for finding Tres Palmas Marine Reserve?
Written May 2, 2015
Steve M
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
How far of a drive is it to Tres Palmas Marine Reserve from Sandy Beach?
Written April 8, 2015
It is about a 5-8 minute drive. You need to go up the road on the south-side of Puntas (past the Red Flamboyant Restaurant). Then, make a right on 413. Follow the road down the winding hill. Tres Palmas will visible be on your right, across the fields that roll down to the ocean. Probably the best access is down the road leading to Steps Beach where you can park - look for the Steps Beach sign with a picture on your right. The road is a dirt road leading down to the beach.
Written April 9, 2015
cathyc12345678
New York City, New York
Does Tres Palmas Marine Reserve have a shuttle bus or van service for their property renters arriving at the San Juan Airport?
Written March 9, 2015
No, it's not that kind of an attraction. You would have to rent a car. No one "owns" this beach. It is a series of public beaches. There are no "property renters."
Written March 10, 2015
cathyc12345678
New York City, New York
Does Tres Palmas Marine Reserve have a shuttle bus or van service for their property renters arriving at the San Juan Airport?
Written March 9, 2015
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