How To Visit PR's Bioluminescent BaysDid you know that Puerto Rico is home to three of the world's only five year-round bioluminescent bays?! Mosquito Bay in Vieques, Luna Grande in Fajardo, La Parguera in Lajas. Find out what makes each one special and plan your own trip to see this incredible natural phenomenon for yourself! ✨AuthorsSteller
DestinationsPuerto RicoItinerary

La Parguera in Lajas

Parguera Water Sports Adventures & Bioluminescent Bay Tour Boat-Kayak-Swim
Head to the southwestern coast for La Parguera in Lajas, which was once a fishing village and is now a lovely waterfront promenade lined with restaurants, bars, and shops stocked with handcrafted gifts. At night, the area comes alive with live music and a party atmosphere. But things really light up out on the bay! La Parguera is also home to a unique bioluminescent bay on the southwest coast of Puerto Rico. This is the only bio bay where you can swim in the glow-in-the-dark waters! It's also the only bioluminescent bay where motorboats are allowed, making it a more accessible spot for those who cannot (or do not want to) kayak or swim. You can experience this bio bay year-round! This tour company has several types of experiences to choose from at La Parguera. Kayak or swim (or both!) at night or enjoy a sunset swim and kayak. Tip: Make sure you book your experience on a dark night—avoid nights with a full moon.
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La Parguera Bio Bay Boat Ride and Swimming w/ San Juan Transport
Just want to try swimming in a bioluminescent bay? This small-group experience lets you do just that. You'll be with an experienced guide who can answer all your questions and tell you about the microscopic organisms that light up the water around you. Remember: Moon-less nights are the best nights for bio bay experiences!
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Cayo Caracoles
Looking for some daytime beach time? Charter a boat and head to one of the bay's uninhabited keys, Cayo Caracoles. There you will find sugary white beaches and beautiful, clear waters perfect for snorkeling. Other keys include Cayo Enrique and Cayo Mata La Gata.
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La Parguera Private Boat Charter
Can't decide which key to visit? Spend half a day island-hopping around to the different sand bars of La Parguera, from Cayo Caracoles to Mata La Gata and Cayo Enrique. This 4-hour private tour lets you swim in the crystal-clear water and snorkel around the tropical reefs.
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Paradise Scuba & Snorkeling Center
La Parguera is also home to another rare phenomenon about 5 miles off the coast. There, a continental shelf drops sharply from 60 to 130 feet. The unique underwater terrain is a hotspot for scuba divers, who come from all over the world to "Dive the Wall." The expert guides at Paradise Scuba can take you on a diving experience or on a bio bay trip.
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Alelí Tours
Alelí offers nature-focused experiences in the waters of La Parguera. In addition to the glowing bioluminescent bay tours, you can also try their nature-focused snorkeling trip among the mangrove forest, seagrass beds, and one of the best-preserved coral reefs on the island.
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Parguera Plaza Hotel
If you're staying in San Juan, La Parguera is just over a two-hour drive. It's possible to head to Lajas early in the day and kayak the bioluminescent waters at night, but we recommend spending the night in Lajas or Rincón. This adult-only hotel is conveniently located in Lajas and is just minutes away from all the activities! Plus, on the nights you aren't out on the water, you can be out on the dance floor with the hotel's vibrant parties, live weekend DJ performances, and a 24-hour pool.
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La Jamaca Hotel- La Parguera
Soak up the island vibes at this small 16-room eco-friendly hotel in Lajas. This is a great hotel for relaxing and pampering yourself. Try the Las Tinas Baths Spa, an outdoor hot-water salt bath experience. And don't miss live music on Saturdays or their Pineapplebar serving up fresh piña coladas inside an actual pineapple! 🍹🍍
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Rincon Of The Seas Grand Caribbean Hotel
Rincón is just about an hour drive from La Parguera, making it a great option for your stay. This family-friendly hotel offers a resort-like experience, and it's right on the beach! There's no question you're in a Caribbean paradise with its retro 1960s-style decor, lush gardens, and refreshing pools with swim-up bars. 🌴🍹🌺🌅🌊
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Laguna Grande in Fajardo

Laguna Grande
Just a 45-minute drive from San Juan, Fajardo is located in Puerto Rico's eastern region. It's possible to enjoy Fajardo's Laguna Grande Bioluminescent Bay and return to your hotel in San Juan, but why not make it a fun night and enjoy Fajardo! Technically a lagoon, not a bay, the Laguna Grande Bioluminescent Bay in Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve is a popular place to experience the glowing waters either in a kayak or small boat. (Swimming is not allowed here.) You can experience this bio bay year-round and remember to go on a moonless night!
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Bio Bay Kayak Tour in Fajardo
Book this kayaking tour through Fajardo's amazing bioluminescent bay to follow a knowledgeable marine biologist through the waterways and watch as the water lights up with every paddle. All necessary equipment is provided!
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All-Inclusive Private Charter to Icacos or Palomino Islands
Need a great daytime activity? Head out on a boat excursion to the beautiful islands Puerto Rico has to offer. Choose your own adventure with this tour: snorkeling, relaxing on the boat, finding hidden beaches, or all of the above! Snacks and non-alcoholic drinks are provided on board as well.
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La Zanja Natural
Plan to stay in Fajardo? Hike to this hidden gem in the Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve with crystal clear waters and tropical surroundings. The natural tide pool is only accessible on foot and is worth the trek. Walk along the Playa La Matita beach and follow the walking path over the rocks to the hidden pool, where you can cool off. Note: The route is only passable at low tide. And be aware of bigger waves, which can create a current.
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El Conquistador Resort
When exploring the bioluminescent waters of Fajardo, El Conquistador Resort is a great place to stay for people who want to stay busy! It has stunning ocean views, a water park and lazy river, a relaxing spa, an award-winning golf course, and even its own private 100-acre white sand beach on Palomino Island! The resort also has a lot of dining options, from fine dining to casual restaurants, a bar, a café, and more. You can even enjoy poolside food and drinks at the waterpark!
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Fajardo Inn
If you're looking for a more peaceful setting, Fajardo Inn sits up on a lush hillside surrounded by beautiful gardens. There are also two pools with stunning views, mini golf, a tennis court, and more. The hotel can even hook you up with incredible experiences like scuba diving or taking a bioluminescent paddle in Laguna Grande!
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Mosquito Bay on Vieques

Bahía Bioluminiscente (Mosquito Bay)
Mosquito Bay is located on the small, but magical, island of Vieques, 40 miles off the eastern coast of mainland Puerto Rico. This is one of the brightest bioluminescent bays in the world—it even earned a Guinness World Record in 2006 and was named one of Condé Nast Traveler's Seven Wonders of the World in 2020! You can experience this bio bay year-round, and while swimming is prohibited, kayaking is a popular and fun way to see the glowing waters. To get to Vieques, you can take a 25-minute flight from San Juan. Flights leave several times a day. You can also take a lower-cost ferry from Ceiba, about a 1.5-hour drive from San Juan. The ferry takes about 30 minutes and departs regularly throughout the day. It's best to book tickets in advance, no matter which option you choose.
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Black Beard Sports
Black Beard is a trusted tour operator in Vieques, offering everything from hiking and island tours to scuba diving to bio bay tours. Their bioluminescent bay tours take about 2.5 hours and include clear-bottom kayaks, paddles, life vests, and experienced guides!
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Jak Water Sports Bioluminescent Bay Tour & Rental
Another trusted tour company is Jak Water Sports. Follow their experienced guides in a clear-bottom kayak for a 2.5-hour paddle among the glowing waters in Mosquito Bay. In addition to bio bay tours, they also offer adventure tours like snorkeling and paddleboarding, as well as water sports equipment rentals.
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Vieques island Biobay Kayaking Tour
This is a shorter kayaking tour (1.5 hours) of Mosquito Bay's bright bioluminescent waters. Life jackets, paddles, and kayaks are included. Make sure you book 2-3 weeks in advance to secure a spot.
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Black Sand Beach
Looking for something unique to do? How about a horseback riding tour of Black Sand Beach! This beach's stunning scenery developed from volcanic material. Access this beach by car or a long walk, and enjoy a day of swimming or relaxing in the sand. And, if you're feeling adventurous, a horseback tour!
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Mosquito Pier
During the day, Mosquito Pier is a great place to snorkel as you'll find all sorts of amazing local marine wildlife. Dive into clear blue water, bring a picnic for the afternoon, or watch the sun go down at this gorgeous spot in Vieques.
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Vieques National Wildlife Refuge
This National Wildlife Refuge is spread across more than 17,700 acres on Vieques and is considered one of the most ecologically diverse wildlife refuges in the Caribbean. The area was once managed by the U.S. Navy, but is now home to a large variety of endangered wildlife, like the Antillean manatee, and several species of turtles. Hike through the lush park, stop along the coastal beaches for a rest, and spot local marine life along the way. Beaches are also accessible by car or golf cart.
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Clear Bottom Kayaking and Snorkel Reef Exploration
Head out on a kayak tour to the small island of Cayo Real, off the coast of Vieques. This small group tour is more personalized, so you will learn and see more from your clear-bottom kayak! Paddle through the famous Mosquito Bay and watch fish swimming under you in the crystal clear water. Make sure to check availability and book in advance. Snorkeling gear is provided.
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Finca Victoria Vieques
Finca Victoria is an Ayurvedic boutique hotel in western Vieques and is a great option if you're looking to focus on wellness during your trip. The hotel sits up in the hills surrounded by lush forests. Thanks to one of the highest locations in Vieques, the sunset views are stunning here! On clear nights, you can even see the Milky Way. It's just a 20-minute drive to Mosquito Bay from the hotel.
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