Bioluminescent bay puerto rico best time to go: Best Time to See Bioluminescent Bays in Puerto Rico 2022

Posted by alexxlab
January 26, 2023
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Best time of the month to visit the Bioluminescent Bay

When you visit Puerto Rico, the number 1 must do is to experience the world’s brightest bioluminescent bay called Puerto Mosquito (Mosquito Bay), which is located in Vieques island. Puerto Mosquito has bioluminescence year-round. To such a famous tour, well known to many, and recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records, you probably would appreciate knowing when the best time to experience such beauty from nature would be. Especially if you are traveling from overseas.

The Bio Bay is closed during full moon

The Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales (The Department of Natural Resources), DRNA, has restricted tour companies to operate during the night before full moon, the night of, and the night after full moon since these three nights are when the moon is at its brightest. The reasoning behind their decision is to let the micro-organisms in the water responsible for the bioluminescence have a rest from human contact for at least three days of each month since our visibility of the glow in the water is less than usual. When there is a full moon, what we notice is an intense reflection of the moon on the surface of the water, while the water glows back at you when it’s agitated, making the viewing of the bioluminescence to our sight barely noticeable.

Understanding the moon

The visibility of the moon is different to us every day. It all has to do with the angle at which we are able to see it. The angle of sunlight changes, making our view of the moon seem different. The moon has phases because it has spheres and it orbits the earth, so the angle on which we see it changes. Therefore, the shape or phase of the moon depends on where it is on its orbit around earth. A month from now, you will see the same phase again as it goes from the new moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, last quarter waning crescent, and it goes all over again.

The best night to experience Puerto Mosquito

The full moon is arguably the most gratifying object in the sky, but in this case, you would want to schedule your trip around the moon. One thing to keep in mind is that the intensity of the bioluminescence that we experience at the bio bay is not something humans can control. Understanding the moon phases, knowing how environmental factors and elements have played a role in the past causing both positive and/or negative outcomes, we are now able to understand and better predict how the viewing experience during the night time tour at the bay will be. This being said, understanding the moon phases is very important because the phases happen every month over and over again.

The new moon is the first lunar phase. It is when the sun and the moon have the same ecliptic longitude. The lunar disk is not visible to us, therefore we cannot notice the moon in the sky causing the new moon to be the darkest night of the month, which would make this the best night to experience the bioluminescence in Puerto Mosquito (Mosquito Bay).

Adding on, if you had already planned your vacation and didn’t consider the moon phases, don’t worry, your trip is not ruined. After all, Puerto Mosquito is the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world! Even when the moon is in the sky, we are able to still appreciate bioluminescence. Following the full moon, we will notice the moon rising an hour after each night. In some cases, it is best to schedule your tour for the first time slot, before the moon rises. If you are unsure, ask a booking representative and they will be happy to help you schedule your trip for the best time.

Dates the bio bay will be closed in 2022:

January: 16, 17, 18

February: 15, 16, 17

March: 17, 18, 19

April: 15, 16, 17

May: 15, 16, 17

June: 13, 14, 15

July: 12, 13, 14

August: 11, 12, 13

September: 9, 10, 11

October: 8, 9, 10

November: 7, 8, 9

December: 7, 8, 9

Tell us how your planning is going, do you have any questions?

Everything You Need To Know Before Kayaking in Puerto Rico’s Bio Bays

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Bioluminescent Bays, or Bio Bays, are a rare natural phenomenon that must be experienced at least once in your life. A bio bay is a bay that has a high concentration of bioluminescence – in other words, the water glows.

This bioluminescence is caused by single-celled microorganisms called dinoflagellates, who glow briefly in a blue color whenever they are disturbed (when you move or splash the water).

There are only five bio bays in the world, but luckily, Puerto Rico has three of them, and all three are easy to visit and open to kayaking them at night.

Here I’ll share with you what you should know before visiting these bio bays to get the best experience.

1. Set Real Expectations

I’ll start with this one because it is important to know that all those pictures you see on the internet, ALL OF THEM are photoshopped. Yes, the water glows, and yes, it looks magical, but it’s never as bright as those pictures make it look like.

Look at all this beautiful photoshop!

In fact, it’s almost impossible to take a good picture while you’re kayaking on the bay because it is too dark and there’s too much movement for a long exposure shot.

For such reason, you’ll see that the images in this post are not the best ones. ¯\_(ツ)_/ ¯

This is a natural phenomenon that varies on a daily basis. Maybe you’re lucky and get to see the water in its 100% glow state, or not so lucky where you don’t see anything at all – under 30% glow. So, expect nothing, but hope for the best.

I’ve kayaked a few times on all bio bays in Puerto Rico, and I can say that I’ve had all kinds of experiences, from “meh, the moon is not helping, and the glow is not at its maximum, but it’s still cool,” to “OMFG, I’m tripping in blue microscopic acid!”

So far, my favorite experience has been in Vieques, but yours could be different.

2. Pick a Bio Bay Based on Your Trip’s Route

As mentioned, Puerto Rico has three bio bays. These are:

Mosquito Bay in Vieques Island (a small island east of the main island of Puerto Rico)
La Parguera in Lajas (southwestern part of Puerto Rico)
Laguna Grande in Fajardo (northeastern part of Puerto Rico)

The consensus among most people is that Mosquito Bay is the best bioluminescent bay in Puerto Rico and the world.

Mosquito Bay is so stunning that it has the Guinness World Record for being the brightest bio bay in the world.

Having said that, it is not guaranteed that the brightness of that bay will surpass the other two on any given day. We are dealing with nature.

The glow percentage varies on all of them every single day based on the water temperature, phase of the moon, water currents, and other ecological variables.

In terms of accessibility, Laguna Grande is the easiest to access as it is the closest to San Juan, just 50 minutes away by car. Due to the accessibility, this is the most touristy of all three.

Mosquito Bay will require you to take a ferry or a short flight to Vieques Island, and spend a night there, at least (worth it, though!).

On the other hand, La Parguera is the least touristy, but it is within easy reach if you’re traveling on the western side of the island.

Most tourists debate whether to go to Laguna Grande vs. Mosquito Bay. My answer is: if you have the time to go and stay for a night in Vieques, go to Mosquito Bay. If you don’t, go to Laguna Grande.

3. You Can’t Swim in the Water… or Can You?

Years ago, swimming was allowed on all bays as it’s one of the trippiest experiences you can have.

The water is so warm and the glow so surreal, all you want to do is swim and kick your legs to make all the water around you glow, kind of like an Avatar experience. It’s an experience I’ll never forget.

Even if you don’t swim, just dipping your hands and removing them quickly will allow you to see the glow dripping off your hands.

Today, though, swimming is restricted to preserve the ecology of the bays. One of the main reasons swimming is forbidden is to prevent kayakers from dipping in the water with chemicals on their bodies, like bug spray and sunscreen.

Having said this, it is said the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA in Spanish) has allowed tour operators to offer swimming with the proper DRNA permit.

In recent years, though, this seems to have been slowly restricted even further, so you must ask directly to each company – though these days it’s more probable they’ll say no.

Apparently, Alelí Tours still allows you to swim in La Parguera (this bay seems to be the least restrictive since it is the least touristy).

You could also swim on either bio bay, but only if you have your own kayak and do it on your own – and at your own risk.

Still, Mosquito Bay is the strictest one, so even on your own, you might not be allowed to do it if a tour company or DRNA official sees you (I have friends who have gotten away with it on their own, though).

No, not them…

Swimming on the bio bay is not an “evil thing.” We’ve done it for generations without affecting the bay.

According to marine biologists, most glow variations happen naturally and can change on a daily, monthly, or even a yearly basis.

Tour companies are no longer allowing swimming just to limit the amount of chemical pollution they’ve seen with mass tourism – as explained above.

So please, if you are going to swim on your own, make sure you have absolutely no chemicals on your body!

4. Try to Plan Your Trip Based on the Lunar Cycle

The best time to go kayaking on the bio bay is when there’s a new moon.

While you can enjoy all three bio bays on any given day, their brightness looks more spectacular when you have a clear night around the new moon. Otherwise, a cloudy night on any other lunar phase will work just as fine.

Should you go during the full moon, tour companies have their ways to help you see the glow by taking a tarp you can put over your kayak to darken the water under you.

But, preferably, go when it’s a new moon. From experience, the visual impact and glow change dramatically when you have a new moon, and the glow percentage is high enough – 70% or more.

If you want to make sure when’s the best time to go to the bioluminescent bay in Puerto Rico, I recommend checking this Moon Phases Calendar. It can help you plan your trip according to the moon phases.

5. Call the Day Before to Check the Bio Bay’s Brightness

Most tour companies won’t take you kayaking if the glow is under 30%, which is the lowest range where the dinoflagellates concentration makes them visible.

Still, it’s good to call them a day or so ahead of your tour to confirm how bright has the bay been lately.

Storms, tides, water temperatures and seasons do affect the water glow in all bays at different rates, so if you have the opportunity to scout and plan last minute, call several tour operators on all three bays to see which one is the brightest at the moment.

Many will give you a percentage scale, while others will give you a numerical scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being the brightest.

Have in mind, that if you’re planning at the last minute, you must take into consideration the logistics of getting there. Getting to Lajas from San Juan takes about 2.5 hours by car. Getting to Ceiba takes about 1 hour.

To Vieques, you have to either fly from San Juan to Vieques or drive to Ceiba and take the 1-hour ferry to the island or the 12-minute flight, also from Ceiba.

6. Preferably, Book Ahead of Time

Do this especially if you’re going on a holiday weekend, as this is a popular activity in Puerto Rico. Check the cancellation policy with the tour company, in case you find a brighter bay at the last minute and wish to change your trip.

Prices range from $50 to $100+, depending on the type of boating or kayaking experience you’re looking for.

Quite honestly, this is more likely how your pictures are gonna look like. ¯\_(ツ)_/ ¯

We might be in the 21st century, where most things can be booked online, but it seems like most of these kayaking companies haven’t caught up to this wonderful technological marvel that can ease our travel planning.

Thankfully, some companies do display their tour options on Viator, so I highly recommend booking them immediately through their platform. It costs the same – and sometimes less than on their websites.

The following are links to some of the best of Puerto Rico’s bioluminescent bay tours:

Kayaking in Vieques – Mosquito Bay
Kayaking in Fajardo – Laguna Grande
Kayaking in Lajas – La Parguera

Otherwise, you can visit each tour company site, see what else they offer, and go through their booking process – whether instant or old-school email.

Vieques:

Black Beard Sports
Abe’s Snorkeling

Fajardo:

Kayaking Puerto Rico
Pure Adventure
Puerto Rico Bio Bay Tours

Lajas:

Alelí Eco Tours

7. Book the Later Time Slot

Typically, there are two time slots you can book each day, one around 6:30/7:00 pm and the other around 8:30/9:00 pm.

Depending on the time of the year, the earlier tour might still be a bit bright when you depart, giving you the opportunity to see the mangroves as you kayak in the twilight. Then it’ll be fully dark once you reach the center of the bay.

On the other hand, the second tour will be fully dark from start to finish.

Having said this, you only see the glow at its maximum once you reach the center of the bay, so it’s ok to pick either – but most people prefer the latter.

8. Forget About the Pictures

Lastly, leave your camera behind. Try to enjoy the experience without the camera. You will get wet as you paddle, so anything you carry might also get wet.

Also, as explained before, your cameras and phones won’t capture the glow as you see it – even with long exposure. If you use flash, you’ll only see yourself and the kayak in total darkness.

So, enjoy, experience, and live the moment to the fullest without worrying about your pictures!

Have you kayaked on any of the bioluminescent bays in Puerto Rico? How was your experience?

Images 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are from Flickr Creative Commons.

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Swallowing Plankton in Puerto Rico (Mosquito Bay)

When Christopher Columbus first landed in Puerto Rico on November 19, 1493, on his second voyage to America, there was no one on the island except a handful of Indians who called themselves the Tainos. Now tourists flock there from almost all over the world, just to see … Mosquito Bay!
Dark sea surface, silence, and suddenly – a mysterious green glow from the depths dilutes the blackness, shocking the audience on the shore. This is how Mosquito Bay meets those who are thirsty for magic and beauty.

Luminous wonders are created by its inhabitants – microscopic organisms – dinoflagellates – luminous plankton. To turn on the illumination, it is enough to disturb the ideal calmness of the water, because the bacteria begin to “blink” at the slightest impact on them. Flashes can be recognized from a distance of several kilometers, although they last less than a second. The concentration of these fireflies is so high here that the ability to press “On” by launching a pebble through the water or dipping into it yourself still exists.

The bay was once an object of worship for the locals. Not understanding the reasons for the sudden “ignition” of the sea after sunset, they decided that the water gods had settled their Olympus here. During the day, people came to the coast and thanked them for the gift of food in the form of a variety of seafood. At night, they were revered and praised for their green fire, which served as lighting for coastal villages and a guide for lost travelers. Today, they no longer believe in such “higher powers”, but the bay still remains a breadwinner, bringing income from tourist visits.

Despite the fact that the glow in clear turquoise water is invisible before dusk, most places on the beach will still be occupied. The mangroves that surround the bay help vacationers to at least temporarily move away from the bustling world, joining the unique beauty of nature. Pelicans, stalking fish, circle above the water, and having spotted their prey, they rush to the sea, causing fountains of spray and admiring exclamations of tourists. Without waiting for the sunset and the “light effects”, visitors dive into the warm clear water. Here they are waiting for flocks of colorful fish, similar to aquarium ones, which swim right by the shore, tickling the bathers.

Old-timers say that only a tenth of the former glow of the bay remains. But earlier in the waters of the Caribbean one could find a sufficient number of shining seas. But due to the cultivation and settlement of coastlines, as well as environmental degradation, most of them are lost forever. Armies of water vehicles like boats and jet skis have now occupied part of the Mosquito. They have an adverse effect on microorganisms and the chemical components of creams, deodorants and cosmetics, which are brought by those who wish to plunge, sparkling surrounded by billions of mini-flashlights.

Those who personally want to have time to see the unusual bioluminescent bay should hurry up. It is quite possible that soon, in addition to an American visa, you will have to receive a special pass to visit it. Although the final decision has not yet been made, the authorities of Puerto Rico often raise the issue of introducing such measures in order to preserve the special effects and pristine beauty of this place.

Posted by Evgeniy Posted inTraveling the worldTags: mosquito bay, puerto rico, rincón, luminous plankton

Puerto Rico: firefly swim.

| OUTLOOK

Author: Margarita Getman
22.12.2020
| nature, puerto rico, travel

When Christopher Columbus first landed on Puerto Rico on November 19, 1493, on his second voyage to the American coast, there was no one on the island except a handful of Indians who called themselves the Taino. Now tourists flock there from almost all over the world, just to see … Mosquito Bay!

Dark sea surface, silence, and suddenly – a mysterious green glow from the depths dilutes the blackness, shocking the audience on the shore. This is how Mosquito Bay meets those who are thirsty for magic and beauty. And luminescent miracles are created by its inhabitants – microscopic organisms – dinoflagellates. To turn on the illumination, it is enough to disturb the ideal calmness of the water, because the bacteria begin to “blink” at the slightest impact on them. Flashes can be recognized from a distance of several kilometers, although they last less than a second. The concentration of these fireflies is so high here that the ability to press “On” by launching a pebble through the water or dipping into it yourself still exists. Photo montereyboats.com

Those who personally want to have time to see the unusual bioluminescent bay should hurry up. It is quite possible that soon, in addition to an American visa, you will have to receive a special pass to visit it. While no final decision has yet been made, the Puerto Rico authorities often raise the issue of introducing such measures in order to preserve the special effects and pristine beauty of the place. Photo by vidasurfecotours.com

Top photo by Chris Favero tripsavvy.com

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