Playa Pelicano

Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico

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Playa Pelicano is a small, pristine white-sand beach located on Caja de Muertos Island, a uninhabited nature reserve about 8 kilometers off the southern coast of Ponce, Puerto Rico.

The beach is famous for its calm, crystalline waters that shift from clear to aquamarine and deep cerulean blue, along with creamy ivory-colored sand lined with unique smooth green pebbles. It has earned the prestigious Blue Flag Award for five consecutive years, making it the first Caribbean beach in a natural reserve to receive this international certification for cleanliness and environmental quality.

The name comes from the abundant pelicans and seabirds that nest in the nearby protected Los Morrillos hills, where visitors can watch them from the beach's rocky southwest end. Accessible only by ferry or boat, this secluded spot offers a serene natural experience with no hotels or buildings behind it, though visitors should bring everything they need since there are no running water or showers. The beach includes picnic tables and gazebos for groups, making it a great family destination despite its remote location.