Vieques National Wildlife Refuge - West

Vieques National Wildlife Refuge was created from former U.S. Navy managed lands by congressional action in 2001 and 2003, situated on the island municipality of Vieques, approximately 7 miles east of Puerto Rico's main island. Encompassing 17,771 acres (3,100 on the west and 14,671 on the east), it is the largest and most ecologically diverse national wildlife refuge in the Caribbean. The refuge protects dry forest and wetland ecosystems for resident and migratory birds, and harbors 16 federally listed threatened and endangered species, including the Puerto Rican boa, five sea turtle species, and the Antillean manatee. The western unit is open year-round with no entrance fee; the eastern unit remains partially closed due to ongoing unexploded ordnance cleanup.