camp garcia

This former Marine base is now HQ for the Fish and Wildlife Services which control that end of the island and many of the best beaches. Many of the roads are paved and or well maintained gravel and it is just grand in comparison to its former life.

this was the name given when it was a military outpost. Although still under federal hands it is now called the Fish and Wild Life Refuge. Don't expect to see tigers, pumas, snakes, monkeys here....just birds and mongoose

Was my first duty station out of basic and school.I was there the last six months in1970 as a crash/firefighter on the Airstrip.After being there with all the beaches and got to meet some local people, it made my time past too fast. I was disapointed that I couldnt stay longer. I kept in contact with a couple of friends there for years after I left.It was the best duty station i ever had.

We drove around and checked out all the old bunkers and buildings left behind. Beware sometimes the trees and brush cover the roads and if you are in a rental jeep it will get scratched. We had a SUV our house owner rented us and he said no worries if it gets scratched. The beach we found was very nice and clean. We were the only ones there.

Some of the best beaches in the world are within this wildlife refuge. Not only the beaches but the terrain are worth admiring. Towards the end of the preserve road are hills of cactus and tress. its a beautiful place.

My Dad served in the US Navy for 21 years. As part of the "Seabees" Construction Battalion unit (he was a cook/steward), he was often overseas on duty when we were young, and he spend time in Camp Garcia in the mid-70s. He had been stationed throughout the world but always said that Camp Garcia/Vieques was one of the most beautiful places he'd ever been. He passed three years ago, and I was able to honor him by taking my Mom there on the third anniversary of his birthday in heaven and what would have been his 75th birthday. I'm glad he planted the seed when my siblings and I were young to inspire me to seek this beautiful place out later in life.

I was stationed there for about 6 months in 1976 as part of a joint USMC-Navy exercise. I was in S-2, Aerial Intelligence, as part of a contingent of UH-1N Heuy Helicopters attached to the Marine Amphibious Group out of Camp Lejeune, NC. We were also there with British Royal Marines and Dutch Marines. It was awesome duty! And hard work! But we had plenty of time to take in some the the most pristine and beautiful beaches I have ever seen anywhere I've ever been since. The undisturbed remoteness along with the natural beauty and wildlife was unforgettable and unmatched anywhere. I remember too that from the base, you got the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets. The worst thing was the heat and the "Cowboys" raiding our messhall late at night. It was GREAT duty!

Driving through the former Camp Garcia to find any of the number of beaches now open to the public is a bit surreal. After driving several minutes surrounded by natural beauty, you suddenly come across a sign that warns of explosive hazards with a graphic image of an exploding bomb. The beaches here are nice, but not as nice a Playa Navio. But they are definitely more remote and therefore less populated. If you have a four wheel drive vehicle, I recommend checking this out on your trip to Vieques.

This is an excellent example of the National Wildlife Service in action. The best beaches on the Island are here.

I was stationed at Camp Garcia for about 4 months from October 1966 - January 1967. I was an air traffic controller in the Marine Corps, and one of about six Marines assigned to the airstrip just a short hike from the ocean. We'd go down to the beach and enjoyed snorkeling in crystal clean water, seeing every imaginable animal and plant life in the Carribean. The best food on the island was "Poyo Frito" - deep fried whole chicken at a little bar-restaurant in Isabela Secgunda. Never tasted better fried chicken before or since that time. I was 18 years old, and look back now, at 63 years of age, and wish I could go back for that beach and that chicken.

Rea alejada de las residencias de Vieques. area verde para aventurarse al correrla con un jeep o motora que son alquilables en Vieques. Se ven familias que tiene pasadias en ciertas areas celebrando cumpleaños o compartiendo. No hay tienedas, las playas son limpias pero muy apartadas