Did you know that there are only five Bioluminescent Bays in the world, and you can experience them in Puerto Rico? Puerto Rico is home to three of these bays and offers kayaking opportunities to see this natural phenomenon up close and personal (photos don’t do it justice!). It is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
What is a Bioluminescent Bay? Think of pixie dust or tiny floating lights in the water! So what makes the water in Puerto Rico’s bays sparkle like this? Millions of microorganisms, called dinoflagellates (usually considered algae or plankton), populate the bays. These organisms make their food by photosynthesis and this process creates the glowing effect in the dark waters.
How do you experience it? To see the glowing effect of these microorganisms, the best way to experience it is Night Kayaking! You’ll be provided a clear-bottom kayak to fully immerse yourself in the sparkling water. On top of that, your eco-guide will educate you on the marine life, fauna, and flora surrounding you. It is a truly breathtaking, unique, and tranquil experience.
Where are they located? As mentioned, Puerto Rico is home to three of the five bays.
Laguna Grande, located in Fajardo’s Bay, is the most popular. Fajardo is about 45 minutes from San Juan, making it an easy day trip to experience the bay, and many tour companies offer hotel transportation. While in the area, you can also visit the El Yunque Rainforest, the Fajardo Lighthouse, and the viewpoint of the Northeast Tip of Puerto Rico.
The second bay, La Parguera, is found in Lajas, which is in the southwestern part of Puerto Rico. It is only about 1 hour from Ponce or Rincon hotels.
Lastly, the third bay is Mosquito Bioluminescent Bay, which is found in Vieques. Vieques is an island off of Puerto Rico’s eastern coast, so it is the hardest to get to if you are staying in San Juan.
No matter which of the three bays you choose, you won’t forget this night kayak adventure!
Want to add this once-in-a-lifetime experience to your next trip to Puerto Rico? Schedule your FREE Travel Consultation today and the ELx Travel team will plan your visit!