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Culebrita Island

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Uninhabited island of Puerto Rico
Isla Culebrita
Nickname: Culebrita
Culebrita lighthouse on top, Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands on the horizon
Isla Culebrita is located in Puerto RicoIsla CulebritaIsla CulebritaShow map of Puerto RicoIsla Culebrita is located in Lesser AntillesIsla CulebritaIsla CulebritaShow map of Lesser AntillesIsla Culebrita is located in CaribbeanIsla CulebritaIsla CulebritaShow map of Caribbean
Geography
LocationCaribbean Sea
Coordinates18°18′49.3″N 65°13′38.8″W / 18.313694°N 65.227444°W / 18.313694; -65.227444
ArchipelagoPuerto Rico Archipelago
Length1.7 km (1.06 mi)
Width1.5 km (0.93 mi)
Highest elevation185 m (607 ft)
Highest pointLighthouse Hill
Administration
 United States
 Puerto Rico
TerritoryPuerto Rico
MunicipalityCulebra
BarrioFraile
Demographics
Population0 (2020)
Additional information
Official websitewww.culebritaisland.org
Nature Reserve (Culebra National Wildlife Refuge)

Culebrita Island (Spanish: Isla Culebrita, meaning "little snake island") is a small, uninhabited island off the eastern coast of the island-municipality of Culebra in the Spanish Virgin Islands, administratively part of the archipelago of Puerto Rico and geographically part of the archipelago of the Virgin Islands. Together with Cayo Botella off the northwestern point, and Pelá and Pelaita to the west, Culebrita belongs to the barrio Fraile of the main island of Culebra. It is a nature reserve and is part of the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge. The island is home to Culebrita Lighthouse, one of the oldest lighthouses in the Caribbean. Culebrita is only accessible by private boat from the main island of Culebra.

Geography

Map of Culebra highlighting Fraile barrio which includes Culebrita

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.

Chart of Culebrita, with Cayo Botella to the northwest

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 acres (2.2 ha) and is about 3 feet (0.91 m) 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 acres (0.36 ha). Both lagoons are bordered on the seaward-side by a small mangrove fringe. These wetlands are an important habitat for some of the local wildlife.

Flora and fauna

Cacti growing on Culebrita

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

  • Remains of the Lighthouse on Culebrita Remains of the Lighthouse on Culebrita
  • North Anchorage view from Faro Tower on Culebrita North Anchorage view from Faro Tower on Culebrita
  • Tourists in Culebrita Tourists in Culebrita
  • A photo taken of people snorkeling in Culebrita A photo taken of people snorkeling in Culebrita

References

  1. "Culebrita Island". Archived from the original on 2018-03-20. Retrieved 2020-01-08.
  2. Williams, Erin (28 October 2015). "Culebra, Off Puerto Rico's East Coast, Is A Rustic, Beautiful Island". courant.com. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  3. Deane, Zain. "Review of Culebra's Culebrita Island". About.com Puerto Rico Travel. About.com Guide. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 8 December 2011.
  4. ^ Ellis Environmental Group, LC. "Environmental and Cultural Resources Surveys for Isla Culebrita" (PDF). United States Army. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
  5. "Lawsuit Launched to Protect Rare Caribbean Lizards as Endangered". Center for Biological Diversity. 10 March 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
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