Cayo Enrique is a small uninhabited island off Puerto Rico's southwestern coast, celebrated for its calm turquoise waters, coral reefs, and peaceful seclusion.
Cayo Enrique is one of several small cays scattered across the shallow coastal shelf near La Parguera in Lajas, Puerto Rico. The area sits within a designated nature reserve, and the surrounding seagrass beds and coral structures have been sheltered from heavy development, preserving the underwater environment that makes the spot so appealing to naturalists and casual swimmers alike.
On the water, snorkeling is the main draw. The reef around Cayo Enrique hosts parrotfish, sergeant majors, and the occasional sea turtle drifting through the coral heads. The water is shallow enough in most spots for confident beginners, yet interesting enough to reward experienced snorkelers willing to explore the outer edges. Nearby, Cayo Caracoles adds another stop for those spending a full day island-hopping across the reserve.
La Parguera village, the practical base for reaching Cayo Enrique, has a handful of casual seafood restaurants and open-air bars along its modest waterfront. Fresh fish and cold local beer after a morning on the water is a well-earned ritual for returning visitors.
Few places on Puerto Rico's coast feel this unhurried, and that quality alone makes Cayo Enrique worth the trip.
Visit on a weekday morning to enjoy the calmest seas and the fewest other boats anchored nearby.
Bring reef-safe sunscreen, plenty of fresh water, and snacks, as there are no facilities on the island itself.
Snorkel along the island's eastern side, where coral formations and tropical fish tend to be most abundant.
Arrange your boat trip from La Parguera, where local operators offer short rides out to the cay.
Stay until late afternoon when the light turns golden and the crowds thin, giving you the island nearly to yourself.
Kayak and snorkel around Cayo Enrique Island’s shallow reserve waters
Explore Caracoles and nearby cays on a captain-led private boat charter
Explore La Parguera’s cays with flexible return pickup times