A Local’s Guide to Puerto Rico’s 3 Bioluminescent Bays

If you don’t visit any of the bioluminescent bays in Puerto Rico, can you even say you were here?

Bioluminescence is a rare phenomenon around the world. Luckily, Puerto Rico is home to three bioluminescent bays you can visit in a short trip from the United States.

I’m a local who has experienced this captivating phenomenon and I can tell you that it’s definitely one of the top things to do in Puerto Rico. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience you can’t miss.

Here is everything you need to know to visit Puerto Rico’s bioluminescent bays.

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Mosquito Bioluminescent Bay

Mosquito Bay’s bioluminescent water is the brightest in the world.

📍 Google Maps | 👉 Browse Nearby Hotels on Booking or Browse Tours to Mosquito Bay

Mosquito Bio Bay holds the Guinness World Record for the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world.

In fact, Mosquito Bay’s dinoflagellates reach up to 70,000 per gallon of water.

But, Mosquito Bay is harder to visit than other bioluminescent bays, as traveling from San Juan to Vieques means leaving the main island of Puerto Rico.

Still, you’ll find that there are almost nightly kayak tours that go into the bay to appreciate the natural glow.

It’s said both Puerto Mosquito and Mosquito Bay got their names from the ship “El Mosquito” which belonged to the famous Puerto Rican pirate Roberto Cofresí.

How to Get There

You have a few options to get from Puerto Rico to Mosquito Bay:

✈️ Airplane – The first and simplest way to get to Mosquito Bay is to fly from San Juan airport to Vieques and take a bio bay tour from La Esperanza, where most tours meet.  

🚗 Driving – Another option to get to Mosquito Bay includes renting a car at San Juan Airport, driving up to the Ceiba ferry terminal, and taking the ferry to Vieques. 

 🚕 Taxi/Shuttle – Travelers who don’t want to rent a car can opt to rent a taxi/shuttle from San Juan to the Ceiba terminal, and then take the ferry to Vieques. 

🚌 Tour – Some bio bay tour operators offer transportation once you arrive at the ferry terminal. If you stay in Vieques, you can also choose to rent a car to explore all the great things to do in Vieques.

Tours

Many tour operators offer bioluminescent bay tours in Vieques. Here are some of the most popular bio bay tours in Vieques:

👉 Bioluminescent Bay Kayak Trip from Vieques

👉 Overnight Bio Bay Kayak Tour in Vieques Island

👉 Guided Clear Bottom Kayak Bio Bay Tour

Where to Stay Nearby

The best area to stay in Vieques near Mosquito Bay is La Esperanza. This area is centrally located and home to bars, restaurants, and beaches. Here are some of the best hotels you can find in the area:

• 💵 Budget – Casa Tortuga
• ✨ Mid-Range – Villa Coral Guesthouse
• 💠 Luxury – Blue Horizon Boutique Resort
• 💑 For Couples – El Blok

Pros and Cons

Although Mosquito Bay is the most popular bioluminescent bay in Puerto Rico, here are some things you should consider before visiting: 

Pros:

• The brightest bioluminescent bay in the world
• Less crowded than bio bays on the mainland
• Tours on electric boats are available in high season

Cons:

• Outside mainland Puerto Rico
• Having to stay overnight in Vieques

La Parguera Bioluminescent Bay

Visit the only Puerto Rican bio bay you can swim in.

📍 Google Maps | La Parguera Lajas | 👉 Browse Nearby Hotels on Booking or Browse Tours to La Parguera 

La Parguera Bioluminescent Bay is located in La Parguera — a small fishing village in Lajas on Puerto Rico’s south coast. La Parguera is the only bio bay in Puerto Rico you can swim in.

Visitors can also appreciate the glowing water via boat tours, which is more simple for visiting with kids. Depending on the boat tour, you can either watch from the boat or jump in the water. My Travel Lemming colleague Taylor and I went on a boat tour to this bio bay when she was in the area, and it was so much fun swimming around in the bioluminescence.

This bay has more of a whiteish sparkle that resembles stars instead of a bright blue typical to bioluminescence, and the best time to visit is on a new moon night.

This area isn’t just popular for the bio bay, though. It also has some awesome Puerto Rico islands you can visit.

How to Get There

There are three main ways to get to Lajas:

🚗 Driving –  The simplest way to get to La Parguera is by renting a car and driving from San Juan. This method also provides flexibility and allows passengers to make as many stops as they want on the way to Lajas. 

✈️ Airplane + Driving – Travelers coming from the United States can choose to arrive directly at Mercedita International Airport in Ponce, which is an hour away from the bio bay. You can also choose to take a plane from SJU to Mayagüez with Cape Air. After reaching either city, travelers can rent a car to reach La Parguera.

🚕 Taxi/Shuttle – It’s possible to take a taxi/shuttle from San Juan to Lajas, but the route is both time-consuming and expensive, with rates over $150. 

Tours

Besides a boat tour, kayaking tours are also a popular way to explore the stunning blue-white glow of La Parguera Bio Bay. Check out some of the tours you can take at La Parguera:

👉 Sunset and Bio Bay La Parguera

👉 Swim at La Parguera Bio Bay Boat and Hot Springs Tour from San Juan

👉 La Parguera Glowing Bioluminescent Bay Boat Tour from San Juan

👉 Bio Bay Tour

Where to Stay Nearby

La Parguera is one of the best places to stay in Puerto Rico, not only because you’re near the bio bay, but you’ll also explore offshore cays and amazing beaches.

Here are some of the best hotels you can stay in or nearby La Parguera:

• 💵 Budget – Turtle Bay Inn
• ✨ Mid-Range – La Jamaca
• 💠 Luxury – Copamarina Beach Resort & Spa
• 💑 Small and Cozy Stays – Parador Villa Parguera

Pros and Cons

Before choosing La Parguera Bio Bay over the other bio bays in Puerto Rico, travelers should consider all the pros and cons of this trip. Here are some of them:

Pros:

• Variety of bioluminescent bay tours
• Collective boat tours that are cheaper
• Located in mainland Puerto Rico
• You can swim in the bio bay
• Mixed tours to offshore islands and bio bay

Cons:

• Long trip from San Juan
• Harder to find taxis/shuttles to the city
• Not as bright as other bio bays in Puerto Rico

Laguna Grande

Experience a bioluminescent bay close to San Juan’s airport.

📍 Google Maps | 👉 Browse Nearby Hotels on Booking or Browse Tours to Laguna Grande

Laguna Grande bio bay is on the east coast of Puerto Rico. This Fajardo attraction, hidden inside Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve, is the easiest to visit for travelers staying in San Juan. 

Laguna Grande’s experience is charming in its own way, as you have to kayak through mangrove channels before reaching the bioluminescent lagoon.

But, even if the most common tour to this lagoon is by kayak, BioIsland operates an electrical boat in the bay that is ideal for visiting with smaller kids or elders.

Although it’s the easiest to get to, this lagoon’s ecosystem is still recovering after Hurricane Maria.

How to Get There

There are multiple ways to get from San Juan to Fajardo:

🚗 Driving – Renting a car is the most convenient way for flexibility. Although the ride from San Juan is short, having your own car will allow you to make stops at El Yunque and Luquillo on your way to Fajardo.

🚕 Taxi/Shuttle – As Fajardo is a touristy destination, you’ll find plenty of taxis and shuttles between San Juan and Fajardo.

🚌 Public Transportation – Travelers can catch a “guagua pública” in the “terminal de carros públicos” of Rio Piedras, in San Juan. For this option, you should know basic Spanish, as you’ll need to ask for directions.

Tours

You can find multiple Laguna Grande’s bio bay tours. Most tour operators in Laguna Grande offer pick-up in specific hotels in San Juan. Here are some of the top tours:

👉 Bio Bay Kayak Tour in Puerto Rico

👉 Glowing Bay Adventure

👉 Bio Bay Kayak Tour in Fajardo

👉 Fajardo Bio Bay Night Kayaking Tour

👉 Bioluminescent Bay

👉 Fajardo Bio Bay Kayak Tour

Where to Stay Nearby

Even if Fajardo is relatively close to San Juan, this city has so much to offer that it’s best to stay a night or two in it. Some of the best hotels to stay in and nearby Fajardo are:

• 💵 Budget – Sueños del Mar
• ✨ Mid-Range – El Conquistador Resort
• 💠 Luxury – St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, Puerto Rico

Pros and Cons

Before visiting Laguna Grande in Fajardo, here are some pros and cons you should evaluate:

Pros:

• Short car ride from San Juan
• Many tour operators
• Easy access
• Plenty of parking

Cons:

• Glow affected by Hurricane Maria and light pollution in certain areas
• Gets crowded

Tips For Bioluminescent Bays in Puerto Rico

Tip #1 – Visit on a Moonless Night

Plan your visit to the bio bays in Puerto Rico on a night with a new moon phase. If you can’t visit during the new moon, try to avoid the full moon phase unless it’s cloudy. 

The combination of natural and bright artificial light makes it almost impossible to appreciate the blue green light in the bay.

Tip #2 – If You Can, Choose Mosquito Bio Bay

If your Puerto Rico itinerary allows it, choose Mosquito Bay for your visit.

Mosquito Bay water holds a high concentration of dinoflagellates, which makes it the brightest bio bay in the world according to the Guinness World Records book. 

The shallow and small entrance of the bay and the mangrove trees in Puerto Mosquito keep these microscopic organisms trapped inside the bay, leaving greenish blue trails every time you move the water.

Tip #3 – Pick the Best Method for You

While the most common way to visit the bio bays is by kayaking, it’s also possible to visit on a Puerto Rico boat tour.

Para La Naturaleza also offers a walking guided tour through Laguna Grande, Fajardo. Pick the method that is the most comfortable for you. Each experience will allow you to see the glow in a different way.

Tip #4 – Wear Deet- Free Bug Spray

Due to the high concentration of mangrove trees in the bays, there is a high population of mosquitoes that can easily ruin your bio bay experience.

Although wearing bug spray is recommended, make sure you apply DEET-free repellent, and avoid any harsh chemicals like sunscreen and perfume that might affect the ecosystem.

Tip #5 – Bring an Extra Set of Clothes

Even if you’re not swimming in the water, water will enter your kayak as a result of paddling. Bring a towel and clothes to change after you’re done with your bioluminescent bay tour.

Tip #6 – Wear Water Shoes or Sandals

Unless you’re taking a boat tour, you’ll need to get into the water to get into your kayak. Wear water shoes or sandals that dry quickly, so you don’t have to go back to your hotel with water-dripping sneakers.

Keep in mind, however, that some companies might ask you to go barefoot in the water, to prevent scratches and damage to the kayak.

Tip #7 – Check Age and Weight Requirements

Before booking your bio bay tour in Puerto Rico, make sure you read thoroughly the requirements and specifics of the tour.

Most tour operators have a minimum age requirement for kids, usually 6, which means you wouldn’t be able to bring toddlers with you. Similarly, for safety purposes, most companies have a weight limit for their kayaks.

FAQs About Bioluminescent Bays in Puerto Rico

Where are the 3 bioluminescent bays in Puerto Rico?

Puerto Rico’s bioluminescent bays are located in the towns of Lajas, Fajardo, and Vieques. La Parguera in Lajas is the only one you can swim at when visiting. Laguna Grande in Fajardo is the easiest to reach from San Juan. Mosquito Bay in Vieques is the brightest bio bay in the world.

Where is the best bioluminescent bay in Puerto Rico?

The best bioluminescent bay in Puerto Rico is located in Vieques. Known as Mosquito Bay, Vieques’ bioluminescent bay is not only the brightest in Puerto Rico but also the brightest in the world.

Where can you see bioluminescence in Puerto Rico?

Travelers can find bioluminescent bays in Puerto Rico in the towns of Fajardo, Lajas, and Vieques. Both Fajardo and Lajas are in mainland Puerto Rico and Vieques is offshore in a municipality island.

What is the best Puerto Rico bio bay to visit with kids?

The best Puerto Rico bio bay to visit with kids is Laguna Grande in Fajardo. It’s the easiest to reach from San Juan and there is a variety of kayak and boat tours that accommodate kids, making it the best bio bay option in Puerto Rico for kids.

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Now you know how to visit the bio bays to experience this natural wonder. Continue exploring and discovering Puerto Rico with my guide to the top places to visit in Puerto Rico!