During our 8-week visit in Puerto Rico, our family was able to hike and horseback to Survival Beach in Aguadilla. There’s several ways to get to Survival Beach. Below is our first-hand account of our experience arriving to Survival Beach by three distinct means. There’s two additional methods to get to this beach as well, which we’ll cover below.
- Best time to go: You should consider the cooler months of October – May. Our family went in March. The cooler weather was better then, but the disadvantage is that the waves are more rough in the winter season.
- Cost: Free – no entry fee (always a plus)!
- Highlights: Excellent hike, secluded beach, lots of flora and fauna, cool yola boats crashed on shore.
- Difficulty: Moderate (we hiked in a downpour which made it more difficult, but in general we’d give it a moderate level of hiking difficulty).
- Distance: 2.2 miles roundtrip
- Route type: Out and back
- Elevation gain: 196 feet
- Parking: Take Cliff Road to Surfer’s Beach, park at the eastern end (very bumpy road, all dirt and sand).
- Essential gear: Bug spray, Garmin inReach
- Pets: Allowed
- Bathrooms: None available
- Food: No restaurants at the parking lot, but there’s usually a man selling coconuts to drink which is a very refreshing after your hike.
IMPORTANT: This trail is moderately difficult because several paths lead to the beach, so it’s easy to get lost. Stick to the trails closest to the water and backtrack if necessary. Carry a GPS and consider bringing a Garmin inReach for emergencies. Alternatively, bring a compass and a map.
To get to this lonely stretch of beach, we hiked in two separate directions and rode horses. Our readers may find our account useful if they want to explore other approaches to arrive to Survival Beach. Alternatively, you might simply choose and attempt the approach that appears to be the best fit for you.
Whatever the cause, read our experiences getting to Survival Beach to save you time on your next hike to this Aguadilla Beach.
What’s unique about survival beach?
Puerto Rico’s coast boasts numerous gorgeous beaches. However, many are easy to reach. Perhaps too easy. Sometimes our family prefers the ones that not everyone can reach.
They’re frequently more remote, and you can enjoy the beach with other travelers. You know the ones who worked a little harder to get there. Survival Beach is one such area, and we consider it to be one of the best beaches in Aguadilla for the reasons described below.
So, put on your hiking boots and join us for a land adventure in Puerto Rico, where we will hike (and ride a horse) to a lonely sandy beach with breathtaking caves and big boulders.
Why does our family love survival Beach?
Before telling you all the essential details about this beach, let me share with you why we fell in love with this beach and why you should consider visiting:
- There’s several migrant yola vessels washed up on shore to see and explore. These vessels often have life jackets scattered, along with other belongings that were likely abandoned when the watercraft came ashore.
- This beach has several different rock formations. These rocky formations include a few sea caves and giant, monolithic boulders in random spots on the beach.
- There are beautiful coconut trees in a tropical setting scattered along the coastline of Survival Beach.
- This Aguadilla, Puerto Rico beach is secluded. There’s a good chance you’ll have it to yourself. We did when we went in March.
- The hike has a surprise ending. You walk through an awesome forest full of giant tree and plants with huge leaves. After a brief hike you’re surprised with Survival Beach which sort of pops out of no where.
- You get to hike through a lush forest with stunning flora and fauna. You might see iguanas on the beach or on the trail, along with other lizards. The lizard below we found washed up dead on the beach with numerous eggs. We also saw numerous land crabs inside miniature shells.
- This Puerto Rican beach is an excellent choice for solo travelers as well as adventurous families.
What is Survival Beach?
Survival Beach is a remote stretch of sandy beach located in the northwest corner of Puerto Rico in Aguadilla. It’s best known for the giant boulders and caves that surround the beach.
In addition, it’s a spot where several abandoned vessels have crashed ashore likely from Dominican Republic migrants. These make-shift vessels only add to the uniqueness of this secluded beach, making it truly a modern day “survival beach.”
We’ll discuss more below on how to reach the beach. The first way our family went is by hiking through a lush forest filled with towering trees and plants with lush greenery. The trail starts with the bridge above that crosses a small concrete culvert. Notice how dry this culvert is. On our way back, it rained so hard and so quick that the water level as almost to the base of this wooden bridge.
When our family hiked the trail in March, we saw a lot of wildlife. We photographed over three varieties of lizards, terrestrial crabs inside miniature conch shells and many different species of birds. The terrestrial crustaceans were quite fascinating and something we’d never seen before. They were far from the water and looked just like the hermit crabs we’d find on the North Carolina coast.
how do you get to Survival Beach in Aguadilla?
There are five ways to get to Survival Beach. Some are off limits to most people. Not all ways are recommended, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Our family went to Survival Beach three different ways.
1. Survival Beach Trail
When most people talk about Survival Beach, they only mention one way to get there—the Survival Beach Trail. This is an amazing hike, and somewhat challenging. The challenging part for us encountering different paths from the main trail and not knowing which one to take. This difficulty was compounded by a monsoon of a rain on our way back, washing out a lot of the trail and making very slippery conditions.
Throughout the trail, you’ll also have to watch out for roots that you can trip on, as well as steep inclines and declines. The trail overall is manageable, but it’s not easy. Overall, it’s definitely worth the hike.
2. Survival Beach from Shack’s Beach by foot
The second recommended way to get to Survival Beach is by Shack’s Beach. Shack’s Beach, located in Isabella, is a lovely white sand beach that’s accessible by foot and horseback.
You can access Shack’s Beach by walking to the end of PR-4466. To get public access to Shack’s Beach, go to these coordinates:
- 18.514774, -67.100687
Just before the main road leading to Shack’s Beach, there’s public parking in the shape of a semi-circle. Park in the grass next to other cars, just next to Sueños del Mar.
3. Survival Beach from Shack’s Beach by horse
The third way to Survival Beach is also from Shack’s Beach. Instead of traveling by foot, you can take a guided horse ride to Survival Beach.
This is a great mode of travel and is the best way to get to Survival Beach if you don’t want to do all the work. That said, riding a horse isn’t always easy, particularly on a Puerto Rican horse.
While all the horses were well taken care of, a lot of Puerto Rican horses have a short gait called classic fino or paso fino. Horses travel with rapid footsteps to cover as much ground as possible, and if you’re not use to riding, it can be a workout in of itself!
4. Former Ramsey Air Force Base (off limits)
A tall chain-link and barbed wire fence surrounds the former Air Force base (called Borinquen Field). A locked gate leads to stairs that descend to the beach.
This is not listed as an access point but rather to inform you that there are stairs and a gate leading to the former base in case you see them. After the base was closed, it became part of the Rafael Hernandez Airport.
It’s also important to discuss the Ramsey Air Force Base as it’s a part of the history of Survival Beach. As we talk about below, it’s part of how Survival Beach got its name.
5. By boat (not recommended)
You would think you could get to this Aguadilla beach by boat. However, the surf is rough in the winter and there’s rocks and reef just off the beach. A bot probably could reach Survival Beach sucessfully, but more so in the summer when the water is better.
It’s not advisable to approach the beach by boat. However, it’s worth mentioning that some do access this beach by boat as evidenced by all of the crashed boats that have washed ashore.
These boats are likely migrant boats from surrounding islands like the Dominican Republic. Searching for a better life, the passengers try to make it to Puerto Rico by handmade wood and fiberglass boats.
The boats on shore are an interesting site to see. It’s fascinating to study how these make shift boats were made. It’s tough to picture what went down when they came ashore.
Life jackets were scattered amongst the trees and landscape when we were there, along with plastic water bottles which could have been from people aboard the boats.
How Do You Get to the Survival Beach Trail Head?
This article will mainly discuss how to reach Survival Beach in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico by the Survival Beach Trail. The access point for the trail head is at the eastern end of the Surfer’s Beach parking lot.
Good to know: For the ultimate adventure, consider hiking to Survivor’s Beach and returning to Surfer’s Beach. It’s an excellent surfing beach for both novice and experienced surfers.
Address
14, 6 Cliff Rd, Aguadilla, 00603, Puerto Rico
Specific Directions
- Take PR-110 to Belt Road and 4th Street
- Continue to Cliff Road
- Take a right on Cliff Road, then a left onto Surfer’s Beach Road
- Follow signs to Surfer’s Beach
There’s parking at the east end of Surfer’s Beach in Puerto Rico. A large sign at the far end of the parking lot shows the Survival Beach trailhead.
Google Map
When is the best time to go to Survival Beach, PR?
There is no wrong time to hike the Survival Beach trail. However, avoid hiking during heavy rains, high winds, and hurricanes. In addition, avoid the hottest months of the year, June through September, if you can. Or, bring ample water and trek on!
Planning a last minute trip to Survival Beach and Aguadilla?
Are you planning a last-minute trip to the Aguadilla area or Survival Beach? If so, you should make your plans ASAP. Below are some recommendations to make your booking decisions easier.
Best places to stay in Aguadilla:
- Pasavento Modern Suites
- Parador El Faro
Best restaurants in Aguadilla:
- Chef Lorenzo
- Ostra Brava
- Peña Blanca Restaurant
How did Survival Beach get its name?
There are a couple of theories on how Survival Beach got its name. According to the Borinquen Field-Ramey Air Force Base Museum, troops used the beach area for survival training in the 1960s. Hence the name, Survival Beach.
Another fact is that the movie Lord of the Flies was shot in Puerto Rico in 1961. Parts of the movie were filmed in Aguadilla, and the rest in Vieques. It’s been said that crew members named the beach in accordance with the film, where a group of kids try to survive on an island without adults.
Survival Beach Packing List
- First aid kit
- Ample water (about one liter per person)
- Food
- Bug spray
- Rain jacket
- Camera gear
- Navigation tools (Garmin inReach)
- Map and compass (perhaps overkill, but you’ll be glad you have it if you need it)
Is it Safe to Swim at Survival Beach, Puerto Rico?
I would not recommend swimming at Survival Beach in the winter. It is legal to swim at Survival Beach, but the waves can be rough during this time. Strong currents and undertows can increase the chance of drowning.
If you want to swim, see how the water is during the summer when the water is more calm. When we went to Survival Beach in March, there appeared to be coral heads and rocks to snorkel, but the water was way too rough to do either.
Depending on when you get to Survival Beach, there could be a low or high tide, or somewhere in between. Be sure not to enter any caves at the wrong time. If there’s a flood, or you’re in a cave on an incoming tide you could drown or get stuck. In addition to water dangers, there were loads of sea urchins in the rocks along the shoreline.
How long does it take to hike to Survival Beach?
It took our family about 45 minutes to hike to Survival Beach, one way. Make sure you remember which was you enter the beach. You’ll want to try to take this same way back out.
There’s a few different paths that enter the beach. We chose that path to far left (closest to the water) when looking at the beach.
How much time should I spend at Survival Beach?
Our family spent about an hour on Survival Beach. We explored the caves and giant boulders. We also took photographs at the beach and studied the construction of the yola boats onshore. I’d suggest spending at least an hour on the beach.
If you take a lunch and ample water, you could stay for 1/2 to 3/4 of a day.
Always Be Careful Hiking to Survival Beach
Some of the dangers hiking to Survival Beach include:
- Heavy rains can wash out trails and expose tree roots
- High tide and close caves and make finding the trail difficult
- The main trail has many auxiliary trails so take a GPS so you don’t get of course
Nearby Beaches
Here’s a list of beaches close to Survival Beach:
- Tabletop Beach in Puerto Rico (study the Table Rock Beach, Puerto Rico surf report as well as the Aguadilla 10-day weather report before you go to get the Aguadilla weather and surf report)
- Crash Boat Beach (before you go, review the Crash Boat Beach weather report): This beach is one of our favorite beaches with a lot to do including jet ski rentals, snorkeling, swimming and jumping off a concrete bridge.
Survival Beach is Worth Hiking To, No matter how you get there
If you’re not sure which way to choose to get to this Aguadilla beach, I’d recommend the trailhead starting at Surfer’s Beach. Whether you’re exploring the rock formations or simply want to hike to a secluded beach, go to Survival Beach if you’re near Aguadilla. So far, it ranks as one of my family’s top beach hikes in Puerto Rico, a territory of the United States.
Also, don’t forget to get that fresh Puerto Rican coconut to drink after you’re hike – you earned it! Thanks for reading this article about Survival Beach! Consider checking out our other adventures here and follow us on Instagram (@theearthbyfoot) to see where we’re traveling now.
