Vieques spearfishing forecast — wind, swell, visibility, tides & live cameras

• mutton snapper
  5–25 m · on the current by structure · dusk/night
  Mutton snapper on the sand-reef edge — spooky, long float line & patience, best at dusk. ⚠️ Closed 1 Apr–30 Jun (federal, 50 CFR 622).
• yellowtail snappermin 30 cm
  3–25 m · on the current by structure · dusk/night
  Min 12″ (30 cm, federal). Small midwater snapper over the reef; comes up on a drift, best at dusk.
• red hind
  8–30 m · on the current by structure · daytime
  Red hind in reef holes, by day. ⚠️ Grouper closed 1 Feb–30 Apr + red hind 1 Dec–last day Feb (federal) → target May–Nov only. Vulnerable, take sparingly.
• crevalle jack
  1–20 m · on the current by structure · daytime
  Crevalle jack on the reef edge on the current, by day — quick, a strong fighter.
• parrotfish
  2–25 m · on the current by structure · daytime
  ❓ Not regulated in Reglamento 7949, but a herbivorous reef-cleaner — conservatively DON'T shoot it.
• lionfish
  3–40 m · on the current by structure · daytime
  Invasive — culling is ENCOURAGED year-round (MTIASIC/WECAFC). Venomous spines — careful; flesh edible.

• ✓A DRNA recreational fishing licence is required — tourists included (apply at the DRNA Oficina de Permisos).
• ✓Nassau and goliath grouper are closed year-round; parrotfish and queen conch (carrucho) are protected (federal 50 CFR 622 + DRNA).

• ⛔ 🚫 Nassau grouper (cherna) and goliath (guasa), plus queen conch (carrucho) — federal no-take. Lobster may NOT be speared (Art. 8.18) — hand/trap only.
• ⛔ 🚫 Sea turtles, marine mammals and Acropora corals — no-take (ESA). Spearfishing is banned in marine reserves (Tres Palmas, Canal Luis Peña), bathing zones and within 100 ft of shore.

Rules change. Before heading out, check with the DRNA (Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales) and the federal NOAA rules (50 CFR 622).

• Sets: watch the wave trains ≥15 min before entering; Hmax ≈ 2×Hs, the wash can run 50 m past the foam line. A lull >10 min with period >12 s = a big set «overdue», do NOT enter; enter right after a full set passes and re-check at minute 30.
• Exit FIRST: find your exit AND a backup before entering. On a rocky/boulder shore a 0.5 m rise in swell can make the exit impossible — getting pinned/unable to climb out is the main killer.
• Headland rip: prominent points often have a permanent topographic rip regardless of the model — locate it, enter/exit on the windward side, never swim against it.
• Cold: wetsuit per the SST chip; the first shiver = a metabolic surge and a drop in breath-hold → get out at the first steady shiver. Cap the session at 45–60 min below 15 °C.
• Solo discipline: buoy up; tell someone the spot and exit time; conservative breath-hold (never push it in cold/murky/surfy water); visibility <3 m — don't enter.
• Afternoon wind: on many coasts the wind builds from midday — plan to be out of the water by midday; the chop builds — get out.
• UV 11:00–15:00 (UVI ≥6): sunscreen and cover up on the surface interval.
• Solo is a fundamental risk (hypoxic blackout with no buddy). Any doubt = No-go.