Lying 85 miles (137km) southwest of San Juan and 33 miles (53km) west of Ponce is the little beach town of Boquerón. It is just south of Cabo Rojo, west of the historic city of San Germán, and near the western edge of the Boquerón Forest Preserve.
What puts sleepy Boquerón on the tourist map is its lovely public beach, one of the island's finest for swimming. It is also known for the shellfish found offshore. The beach has facilities, including lockers and changing places, plus kiosks that rent watersports equipment. Parking costs $3. On weekends the resort tends to be crowded with families driving down from San Juan.
The outfitter that offers the best scuba diving in the area is Mona Aquatics, on Calle José de Diego, directly west of the heart of town ([tel] 787/851-2185) near the town marina and Hotel Boquemar. A two-tank dive off the coast's famed diving area costs $75 per person (equipment rental $51).
From Boquerón, you can head directly south to El Faro de Cabo Rojo at the island’s southernmost corner. The century-old Cabo Rojo Lighthouse lies on Rte. 301, along a spit of land between Bahía Sucia and Bahía Salinas. Looking down from the lighthouse, you’ll see a 2,000-foot (610m) drop along jagged limestone cliffs. The lighthouse dates from 1881, when it was constructed under Spanish rule. The famous pirate Roberto Cofresi used to terrorize the coast along here in the 19th century and was said to have hidden out in a cave nearby.
