Bioluminescent Bay, Fajardo: Our most recommended tours and activities

San Juan: Bioluminescent Bay Kayak Adventure by Night

1. San Juan: Bioluminescent Bay Kayak Adventure by Night

Embark on a nighttime adventure into the waters of Laguna Grande and see millions of glowing plankton. Paddle on this guided evening tour. Make your way through mesmerizing mangrove channels and learn about the wonders of bioluminescence. After getting picked up from your San Juan accommodation we will head to the town of Fajardo. After check-in, you will receive a quick overview and safety briefing from your guide before setting out. Then, paddle in a two-person kayak through the mangrove channels leading to the natural reserve of the Laguna Grande. Then, see the microscopic plankton capable of producing natural light at the touch of your hand. Explore these amazing organisms up close as your professional guide takes you on a journey to discover all their secrets. Finally, learn how this fragile and unique ecosystem maintains a perfect balance of life, and what you can do to protect such a special place. Paddle in this safe and closed environment, and watch as the water comes alive with millions of glowing plankton (like fireflies).

Fajardo: Bioluminescent Lagoon Kayak or Full Moon Kayak Tour

2. Fajardo: Bioluminescent Lagoon Kayak or Full Moon Kayak Tour

Don’t let your day end when the sun goes down. Enjoy a relaxing kayak tour at sunset that leads to the fascinating Laguna Grande in the town of Fajardo located on the Northeast corner of the island. Under a blanket of the night sky and the historical lighthouse, you can touch the waters that glow with bioluminescent organisms. The activity starts at sunset in the small fishing village of Las Croabas where you meet the friendly guides. Check-in and get equipped with all the gear, including botanical-based insect repellent. Get the Kayak 101 Safety training, then board your kayak. Paddle across a small fisherman’s harbor to the entrance of Las Cabezas de San Juan Reserve. Here, you enter a mystical channel that leads to a peaceful place where the mangroves create natural tunnels and the sights and sounds of wildlife surround you. After a 25- to 30-minute paddle through the channel, based on traffic and tidal currents, your guide stops once in the lagoon to give commentary on the following points of interest: • Mangrove forest and the different species • Birdlife that inhabits the area • Aquatic marine life that uses the lagoon as an estuary • Information on the bioluminescence organism • History of the lighthouse • Insight on seven of eight ecosystems found in the area Afterward, enter the lagoon called Laguna Grande (large Lagoon), where you paddle along the edge of the mangrove forest and watch the stroke of each paddle light up a bioluminescent blue-green/white-green. Encounter fish that look like shooting stars as they swim through the thick concentration of Pyrodinium Bahamense, a species of Dinoflagellate. At the breakpoint, admire beautiful views of the rainforest and the lighthouse of Fajardo, accompanied by good conversation. Next, begin the route to Bird Island to view the many birds that roost there overnight. Once quietly rounding the small island, start the return to the departure site. This tour is offered under the full moon cycle, so checking what the moon phase is recommended.

Vieques: Bioluminescent Bay Boat Tour

3. Vieques: Bioluminescent Bay Boat Tour

Travel aboard a comfortable 24-foot electric catamaran into Mosquito Bay at night to experience the beauty of the world's largest bioluminescent bay. Enjoy a transfer in an air-conditioned van from a centrally-located meeting point in Esperanza.  Be picked up from the meeting point at the Malecon in Esperanza across the Street from the Blok hotel. Relax on the short drive to Mosquito Bay. Be greeted by a team that will help you aboard the catamaran.  Embark where the only thing brighter than the stars in the sky is the fantastically-blue glow of the naturally-occurring bioluminescent phenomenon in the water below. Learn about this unique environment from the crew. Return to Esperanza at the end of your experience. 

Add dates

Things to do in
Bioluminescent Bay, Fajardo

Bioluminescent Bay, Fajardo
3 activities found
Sort by:

Go beyond Bioluminescent Bay, Fajardo

Explore all

Other Sightseeing Options in Bioluminescent Bay, Fajardo

Want to discover all there is to do in Bioluminescent Bay, Fajardo? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Bioluminescent Bay, Fajardo

Overall rating

4.3 / 5

based on 79 reviews

This was such a beautiful experience! I was worried about going when the moon was brighter but they covered us with a large tarp so we could still see all the bioluminescence in the water. Fair warning if you’re extremely claustrophobic, you may want to only go on the darkest nights sans tarp. Also, be aware it’s quite a long kayak journey to the bay so come with lots of energy and coordination. All worth it though!

This was a great trip! The tour guides were great and really allowed us to experience all of the blue lagoon. I enjoyed the 3:30pm (6pm tour) trip because we got to watch the sunset, see the mangroves in the light, and also experience the bioluminescent plankton.

We loved this tour! Our kids (ages 7 & 9) were able to paddle with us. The guides were wonderful and shared excellent information about the dinoflagellates and the ecosystem. We have already highly recommended this to friends!

The guides were very nice and informative. Even though it had rained heavily recently and the glow was more dilute than usual it was still very magical.

I had an awesome time! The guides helped us feel safe while giving us a very educational and awe inspiring experience. Very much recommended!