Bioluminiscencia puerto rico tour: About Us | Eco Adventures

Puerto Rico Bioluminescent Bays Boat Tours

The docks of Lajas, Puerto Rico feel more like a tourist trap than a gateway to a natural world wonder. Reggaeton music blasts, vendors sell keychains and light-up jewelry, and posters tout the dazzling magic of the neon blue bioluminescent bay — yours to discover through dozens of tour guides and boat rentals. For a glow allegedly so bright, it’s nowhere to be seen on the shoreline.

I hop into a sizeable motorboat manned by a small crew with my island tour guides, and my skepticism is dulled by an ice-cold Medalla Light. The engine purrs and we pull away from the docks, the music and crowds quickly fading away and the stars beginning to show themselves. Some 20 minutes later, I audibly gasp. Our boat is leaving a trail on the surface of the water that can only be described as fairy dust.

It’s not radiating nuclear blue like the advertisements, but the effect is actually more astounding. The water twinkles a bright, greenish-blue and disappears so quickly that you’d think you imagined it. Silhouettes of fish appear briefly as they swim by the boat, and leave arcs of light if they hop out of the water. When the boat comes to a stop in the middle of the bay, it’s dead silent — the water is large enough that other boats need not disturb their neighbors. The captain beckons me to the stern of the boat.

“Jump in.”

I laugh, considering I’m wearing skinny jeans, a sequined top, and a few layers of mascara. “Wish I could. I was told I didn’t need to wear a bathing suit.”

“So? This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You came all this way. When will you be here again? Just jump in.”

To someone with a deep-seated case of FOMO, that’s all you need to say. That, and an offer to borrow the burly deckhand’s spare swimming trunks.

So I take the plunge, hands clasped tightly on my waistband, into water that feels like a warm bathtub and looks like Pandora. Sparkling specks follow my every movement, twirling around my legs as I’m flapping them like a mermaid’s tail. If I reach above the surface, blue dots catch in the hairs on my arm like glowing beads of sweat. My Puerto Rican companions laugh at my childlike glee, and the captain continues to explain the science in great detail. But I’m hardly listening. I’m too busy moving my hands under the water in rapid circles, creating fleeting orbs of glistening light and pretending I’m a wizard.

What are bioluminescent bays?

Photo: Isabella Miller/Shutterstock

Though it’d be quite easy to convince someone that the glowing effect was from some magic sea creature of the deep, the glittering specks are dinoflagellates, single-celled microorganisms that illuminate when agitated. Any movement, be it the tail of a fish, the stroke of a paddle, or — most spectacularly — a swimming body, will make the water appear as if it’s glowing. While these microorganisms are found throughout the ocean, they need to be in extremely high concentration in order to appear visible to the naked eye. As in, thousands upon thousands in a single gallon. There are only five proper bioluminescent bays in the world where the concentration of dinoflagellates is high enough, and a whopping three of them are found in Puerto Rico (the other two are in Jamaica and Vietnam), each offering different worthwhile experiences.

Whether you can extend your San Juan trip with a nearby night excursion or are able to journey all the way across the island, visiting a bioluminescent bay is something you shouldn’t leave Puerto Rico without doing. Here’s everything you need to know about the bio bays in advance to make the most of your experience.

The three bio bays of Puerto Rico

 

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1. La Parguera, Lajas

Located in the southwest corner of Puerto Rico near Cabo Rojo, La Parguera is the only bay that allows motorboats. While that could seem like a drawback as it means more noise disturbance, the motorboats allow you to get really far from the docks very quickly and deep into the bay. A world away from the thudding dance parties of Lajas, the boats shut off their engines and immerse you in complete silence. La Parguera is also the only bay that allows swimming, which is something you simply cannot pass up no matter your fears about diving into pitch-black water and thousands of microorganisms. If you’re willing to splurge for a glass-bottomed boat, all the more magical.

2. Laguna Grande, Fajardo

 

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If your trip to Puerto Rico is based around San Juan, you can still squeeze in a visit to bioluminescent waters at Laguna Grande, located about an hour outside of the capital city. While not technically a bay, but a lagoon, Laguna Grande is best experienced by kayak. A round-trip journey down a narrow canal to the lagoon takes about two hours. While swimming isn’t permitted, no one will scold you for running your fingers through the water and creating swirling patterns. If you’re not comfortable kayaking, you can also peek at the waters from afar by walking along a boardwalk through a mangrove swamp.

3. Mosquito Bay, Vieques

 

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Reaching the island of Vieques seven miles off the east coast of Puerto Rico will take advance planning. Being that you need to visit the bio bay at night for maximum darkness and ferries don’t run that late, you’ll need to stay overnight on the island. It’s absolutely worth it, though, as Mosquito Bay has the honor of being the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world, according to a 2006 Guinness World Record. It has not only held onto that title, but doubled down on it, after Hurricane Maria unexpectedly doubled the concentration of dinoflagellates in the water. Mosquito Bay also has the least light pollution, thanks to its remote location, so you’ll enjoy spectacular stargazing in addition to glowing water. Like Laguna Grande, Mosquito Bay doesn’t allow motorboats or swimming, so kayaking is your best option. And don’t worry about the unpleasant name — Mosquito Bay has no more flying pests than any other body of water in Puerto Rico.

Everything you need to know before visiting a bio bay

Photo: Discover Puerto Rico

1. Visit during the new moon for minimal light pollution.

Absolute darkness is a must for seeing the bio bays in all their glowing glory. For optimal viewing, plan your visit around a new moon. The bioluminescence will still be visible during a full moon, but it will be significantly dimmer. A cloudy evening is ideal for nights when the moon is out, but don’t despair if it’s a clear night — the stargazing will be phenomenal.

2. Book tours in advance.

Most of the time you shouldn’t have a problem walking up to a rental kiosk and getting a kayak or boat, but rather than risking disappointment or waiting for hours, book a tour in advance. This is especially crucial at La Parguera, where you can take a glass-bottomed motorboat onto the water. Booking a tour also means you’ll have a guide who can explain the science behind the bioluminescence, take you straight to the spots with the highest concentrations of dinoflagellates, and make sure you get back ashore safely and within a reasonable amount of time. You can also call in advance to request an English-speaking guide.

3. Minimize your environmental impact.

The ecosystem of the bio bays is very fragile, and the more you can do to mitigate the impact of tourism, the better. Avoid wearing sunscreen (it is night, after all) or lotions that contain chemicals that may harm the bays, especially at La Parguera where you can swim. If you’re especially concerned about not disturbing the ecosystem, opt for a kayak instead of a motorboat if given the choice, and respect any rules against swimming. And, of course, be a good human and don’t litter, spill any food or drink into the waters, or try to take a sample of the water back with you.

4. Bring a camera capable of ultra-long exposure.

Let’s make one thing perfectly clear: You will NOT get a photo of the bioluminescence on your phone. Or most digital cameras. If you’re dead set on getting a jaw-dropping shot for Instagram, you’d better have a professional camera capable of long-exposure photography, similar to what you would need for capturing the Milky Way. You’ll need to stabilize the camera as best as possible (ideally with a tripod, which could prove difficult on a kayak), use manual focus, a high ISO setting, and a wide aperture. If this means nothing to you, that’s fine. Relax, put the camera away, and just enjoy the moment.

5. Manage your expectations.

Despite what the photos advertising the bays would have you believe, the entire bay is not filled with radioactive neon blue water at all times. The water only glows when the microorganisms are disturbed by movement. The effect may be fleeting and fainter than you’d imagined, but it’s still a surreal experience. Go in with this understanding, and you will not be disappointed by the no-less-magical reality.

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The Ultimate Guide to Puerto Rico’s Bioluminescent Bays

I’ll be real with you: the best part about traveling is, and always has been, the pictures.

Sure, there’s the electric thrill as the wheels on your plane go up signalling the start of a new adventure. There’s the euphoria of making genuine connections with other travelers in far-flung places. There’s the quiet confidence that comes from knowing that you can make your way just about anywhere, and the accomplished rush of pride the first time you string together the right words in the right order to get a cab or a cabernet in a foreign language.

All of those things are the reasons why I travel. They’re the little hits that keep me coming back for more. As travelers, we’re always chasing the next novel experience, the next crazy story, the next breath-taking view — but all of those things are exceedingly fleeting.

One of our last sunsets at Pico de Piedra in Aguada, PR.

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As travelers, pictures are the best tool that we have to tell our stories and catalogue our adventures. That’s why it pains me that the coolest things that I’ve seen on my travels is the one things that you can’t capture on film: swimming in a bioluminescent bay.

So what is a bio bay? Oh girl, let me just tell you:

3 Facts About Bioluminescent Bays

  1. There are only five bioluminescent bays in the world and three of them are are in Puerto Rico. The most popular, Mosquito Bay, is located on the island of Vieques off the east coast of the main island of Puerto Rico. There is also Laguna Grande on the north side of the island in Fajardo and La Parguera on the far southwestern side.
  2. The bioluminescence of a bio bay is caused by single-celled microorganisms called dinoflagellates. These microorganisms glow briefly, usually in a blue-green color, whenever they are disturbed. This means that every splash and every movement in the water causes the dinoflagellates to light up in the water around you, giving the bay its distinctive glow.
  3. There are bioluminescent dinoflagellates all throughout the ocean, however, it’s rare for them to be present in the water in concentrations high enough for them to be noticeable.

What Is It Like to Swim in The Glowing Waters Of a Bio Bay?

I’m about to tell you something that might blow your mind: basically every single picture that you’ve seen of a bio bay is a lie — a dirty, bold-faced lie.

If you run a quick Google image search “bio bay” you’ll be inundated with stunning images of glowing water and neon blue waves lapping up on darkened beaches. Like something Lisa Frank would come out with, if she were in a goth phase. Lies. All lies.

The reality is that a bio bay is virtually impossible to photograph. This is because it isn’t the water that is lighting up, but rather the dinoflagellates in the water. These single-celled organisms light up when they’re disturbed for a brief instant and then go dark, making the overall effect impossible to capture on film.

The images that you see online are either photoshopped by the companies offering tours or they are captured using long exposure techniques, and neither end up looking anything like the real thing.

However, just because the bio bay is hard to capture on film doesn’t mean that it is at all subtle. We were lucky enough to go out on a moonless night when the bay was particularly active (our tour guide rated it an 8 out of 10 for brightness), and I have honestly never seen anything so stunningly surreal or achingly beautiful.

The waters of the bio bay don’t glow blue. On a still, quiet night, they are black with barely a hint of the magic below. As we neared the bay, the wake behind our boat began to shimmer. We laughed and plunged our hands into the water as we sped along, the spray throwing up sparks that danced in the darkness.

As we jumped into the glowing water, all fears of the dark nighttime ocean forgotten, our splashes lit up around us, the water glowing with every movement. Once in the water if felt like the perfect ring of the night sky melted into the water. We swam through a galaxy of twinkling stars with a whole universe of stars above us.

We were a party of six adults, but we quickly became like children as we swam, laughing, through the sparkling waters. Swimming with goggles beneath the surface felt like warp speed on the Star Trek Enterprise.

We raised our arms out of the water and watched as the glowing stars dripped from our skin. It was a paradise unlike anything I’ve ever experienced, and I only hope that someday I’m lucky enough to experience it again.

Should You Swim in a Bio Bay?

Yes. Yes. Absolutely, yes. You should. I did it and it was the single most magical experience of my life. And I’ve had some magical experiences in my day.

However, there are some ethical and environmental factors to consider, and you WILL probably get some side-eye from some people when you confess to actually swimming in the bio bay.

This is because swimming is currently prohibited in most bio bays. For example, Mosquito Bay in Vieques is such a popular destination that it can see as many as 200 visitors per night. The concern is that the chemicals on people’s bodies, like bug spray (trust me, they don’t call it Mosquito Bay for nothing) can make the waters less hospitable to the dinoflagellates. This could be detrimental to the long-term survival of the bay.

But yes, knowing all of this, I still swam in a bio bay. However, before you decide that I’m a monster, hear me out.

We booked our tour through Alelí Tours in La Parguera. We had heard mixed reports concerning whether or not swimming was allowed in the bio bay. So, we specifically asked about this when we called to book our tour, and we were told that swimming was fine.

When we arrived in La Parguera we were greeted by our guide, an attractive older gentleman (think a hunkier version of the Gordon’s fisherman) whose name was — I kid you not — Ismael. We were thrilled to discover that Ismael is a seasoned marine biologist, and we were eager to ask him all kinds of questions about the bio bay, including what is up with the whole not swimming thing.

We really, really, really wanted to swim in the water, but we weren’t trying to do anything destructive while enjoying what is definitely one of the natural wonders of the world.

Ismael dismissed those concerns immediately. He explained that he’d spent decades coming to this same bay and that there was a large amount of variation in how bright the bay was from year to year, from month to month, and even from day to day.

There are lots of factors that can contribute to this variation, but the most important one has nothing to do with environmental factors and everything to do with how bio bays are actually formed.

As our boat pulled into the bio bay at La Parguera through a narrow inlet, Ismael slowed the boat down to a crawl. He explained that while the water on either side of this inlet was 10+ feet deep, in the inlet itself it was much more shallow — usually not more than 5 feet. It was this narrow inlet that allowed the bio bay to form.

Turns out that there is nothing particularly special about the glowing water of a bio bay. Bioluminescent dinoflagellates are present throughout the ocean, however, they are just usually not in a high enough concentration to be noticeable. Bio bays then aren’t so much places where bioluminescent microorganisms live as they are where they get stuck.

Ismael explained that despite the recent alarm around the bio bays on the island being darker than usual, the reality is that this variation isn’t caused so much buy tourism as it is by much more complex ecological conditions that cause either more or fewer of the dinoflagellates to be concentrated in the bays.

If anything, a bio bay’s primary vulnerability is structural rather than chemical because of the precise conditions that need to be present for the microorganisms to get stuck there in the first place. In La Parguera, for example, the bay is surrounded by a giant ring of mangrove trees, the roots of which keep the sand bars protecting the bay in place. If those trees get ripped out in a storm (which could happen easily with one hurricane), the bio bay will be lost as well. (Update after Hurricane Maria posted below!)

In the end, we decided to swim in the bio bay, and we have absolutely no regrets. We HIGHLY recommend that you give it a try, too.

Which Bio Bay in Puerto Rico is the Best to Visit?

There are three different bio bays in Puerto Rico: Mosquito Bay, Laguna Grande and La Parguera. Each has it’s own unique vibe, however, bring a healthy dose of skepticism to what you read. There are articles all over the web claiming that one is brighter than the others or better than the others, but from what I’ve experienced, these are mostly claims made by tourism boards and tour companies trying to bring more business to the area.

Our group went to La Parguera, supposedly the darkest of the bays due to over boating, but what we found was a spectacular light show and zero boats — so take what you hear with a grain of salt. At the end of the day, a bio bay is a bio bay and, provided you go there on a night when the bay is active, it’s guaranteed to be an incredible experience.

The main reason that we decided to go to La Parguera instead of the other two more popular bio bays was that as of our visit in January of 2017, La Parguera is the only bio bay that you can swim in. Being able to actually swim in the glowing water was an experience that I would recommend to absolutely everyone and their mom, so if you get a chance, definitely check that one out.

The other main consideration was distance. We were on the west side of the island, so La Parguera was the closest option. As anyone who has ever spent time in Puerto Rico will tell you, although the island isn’t very big (it’s only about 100 miles wide by 35 miles long), getting around the island can be a bit of a challenge.

The main highways and high speed direct routes that we’re used to in the US are few and far between, and cabs and rental cars in Puerto Rico can be expensive. So when you’re booking your trip make sure that you factor in the time and cost of travel into your plans.

4 Things To Do When Booking a Trip to A Bioluminescent Bay

  1. Check out where the moon is in its lunar cycle. You can enjoy a biobay at any time, however, a clear night around the new moon will give you the best view of the stars above you and the bioluminescent waters below.
  2. Call ahead to see how bright the bio bay is that day, or has been lately. It’s better to call ahead and confirm that you’re going on a good night, because bio bays ebb and flow in terms of overall sparkly-ness. The subtly or intensity of the experience depends on the concentration of dinoflagellates in the water – this can fluctuate significantly due to storms, tides, season, temperature, etc. If you call ahead to some of the tour companies you can get a better sense of how the bay is looking and when will be the best time to go.
  3. Request the latest available time slot, or just ask if you can go at a time when the bay is likely to be empty (you might have to pay more). Swimming in a bio bay is magical. Swimming in a bio bay with nothing around but your boat captain and 5 of your closest friends is something approaching nirvana. We had the incredible fortune to be completely alone in the bay and it was an experience that I will treasure for the rest of my life. Later tours give you a better chance of getting to experience that for yourself.
  4. Shop around. Not all bio bay tours are created equal. Some are shorter and some are longer. Some involve booking an entire boat, while others are kayaking tours. And, probably most importantly if you’d like to really experience a bio bay, only some bio bays allow you to actually swim in the water. Some also cost more than others – our boat trip was $120 for the whole boat ($20/pp), but other tours charge $49 or more per person.

Looking for bioluminescent bay tour companies in Puerto Rico? Check out our list HERE!

Update: Puerto Rico’s Bioluminescent Bays After Hurricane Maria

Like so many other people, we were absolutely heartbroken to hear about the devastation in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria. Puerto Rico is such an incredible place filled with amazing people, and as the first stop on our Workationing adventure, it will always hold a special place in our hearts.

Beyond our concern for the people stranded without power and other basic necessities, we couldn’t help but wonder if Hurricane Maria had also wiped out the island’s iconic bioluminescent bays. We’ve knocked a lot of items off our bucket lists while on Workation, but the undisputed favorite for both of us was swimming in the magical glowing water of the biobay.

We’ve gotten lots of questions from our readers and listeners about whether the bioluminescent bays were still intact after the storm, and so we decided to find out. We talked to people at all three bioluminescent bays, and here’s what we found:

Laguna Grande Bioluminescent Bay After Hurricane Maria

Who we talked to: Customer service representative at Kayaking Puerto Rico

What they said:

  • Although hurricane María affected the area, we are glad to say that the bio lagoon, the red mangroves and the microorganism are still here.
  • Does the bay still exist after the hurricane? Yes! Laguna Grande is here with the 7 ecosystems enjoyable for everyone.
  • How has the bay been affected by the hurricane? After hurricane María, the visibility of the microorganism was not at its maximum. On a scale from 1 to 5 (1 being no visibility and 5 being perfect visibility) since December 1st the visibility was at a 3. We are excited to inform that since December 5th it went up to a 5. Tonight (Monday, Jan. 8, 2018) we are excited to say it is glowing at its best. Perfect visibility.
  • Are the mangrove trees still there? Yes! They are the true fighters in this amazing nature reserve. They resisted Hurricane María’s strong winds. The first 10 to 15 feet of red mangroves that border the canal and the lagoon were highly affected. They are slowly growing leaves again. You can see the difference in color and the impact of the winds in our video posted in Facebook. Kayaking Puerto Rico

Who we talked to: Yolanda Ramos, Marine Biologist-Owner at Pure Adventure

What they said:

Mosquito Bay Bioluminescent Bay After Hurricane Maria

Who we talked to: Denisse at JAK Water Sport

What they said:

  • Yes the bay still exists and is still magical and unique place.
  • The bay got affected by Hurricane Maria’s strong winds and big swells that damaged the mangroves surrounding the bay, which provide a essential vitamins to the dinoflagellates and the ecosystem. The red and black mangrove lost their leaves.  We had been visiting and monitoring the bay twice a week after the first week that Maria hit the island and had been able to see the changes in the bay and the ecosystem.
  • Besides Maria, in November we received a lot of torrential rains which caused the underground channels of fresh water to open up. That fresh water was flowing out to the bay. As a consequence it diminished its brightness. Rain disrupts the bay’s chemistry with lots of fresh water.
  • As of today the mangroves and the bay have begun their natural recovery process slowly.  We could hear and see birds, we could see fish, iguanas, we hear the frogs and the coquí. We can see and smell night blooming jasmine in the area. Our night sky looks gorgeous in the dark nights. We are very optimistic and positive, the bioluminescent bay is slowly beginning to surprise us again. Our island is green, and the beaches are gorgeous.

Who we talked to: Angie at Black Beard Sports

  • I can tell you that the mangroves, while not uprooted for the most part, lost all their leaves and it is taking a long time to recover the canopy. This is potentially a reason why it is taking longer for the bay to recuperate the density of dinoflagellates that Puerto Mosquito is known for as there is a input/output relationship between the trees, the water and the organisms.
  • I was out last night and there were sections where it wasn’t glowing, sections where it was glowing a “2” on an unscientific scale of 1-10 and sections where it was glowing a “3” on the same scale. There are other factors, such as a low tide, that also contribute to the locations of the seen concentrations. On average, I would say our bay is known for a “6” and above, but my guests were still very happy with their experience.

La Parguera Bioluminescent Bay After Hurricane Maria

Who we talked to: Customer service representative at Paradise Scuba

What they said:

  • Our Bio Bay is still in excellent shape. We visited it 12 days after the hurricane and it was the most beautiful show you can ever imagine!  It was moonless and there was no power so there was no light pollution. Animals and vegetation around the bay were not damaged at all.

Who we talked to: Ismael at Aleli Tours

What they said:

  • La Parguera has not been affected at all by Hurricane Maria. Tours are still happening and the visibility has been great since September. The mangrove trees are still standing and have not been affected by the hurricane.

Why You Should Add Swimming in a Bio Bay to Your Bucket List

The best reason to check out a bio bay is that there is literally no other way to experience it. Pictures can’t do it justice, and no amount of description can ever give you a true sense of what it is like. You just had to have been there.

GO THERE, if you can. It’s totally bucket list worthy.

If you’d like to hear more about our Workationing adventures, be sure to check out the Workationing Podcast on iTunes or SoundCloud.

 

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Santo Domingo was founded by the brother of Christopher Columbus and is the first city in the New World. In Santo Domingo, there is the Columbus lighthouse, which houses the ashes of the legendary navigator. A tour of Santo Domingo also includes a visit to the Alcazar Palace, a walk through the historic center of the city. …

El Limon Falls (Millionaires Falls)

Note: the tour, as a rule, is carried out in conjunction with a visit to the island of Samana, because the waterfall is nearby, so it’s a sin not to stop by). El Limon Waterfall, without a doubt, is on the list of the most famous and visited places in the Dominican Republic. Its height is 50 meters. It got its name…

In the footsteps of Columbus

La Isabela (La Isabella, Spanish La Isabela) is the second Spanish fort and the first official Spanish settlement in the New World, which existed in 1493-1496. The ruins of the settlement are located on the northern coast of the modern Dominican Republic, in the department of Puerto Plata. La Isabela is considered the first …

Samana, National Park Los Haitises

Samana, National Park Los HaitisesLos Haitises National Park is the quintessence of all the natural attractions of the Dominican Republic. Unique representatives of flora and fauna, caves, mangrove swamps, rivers, waterfalls and uninhabited islands – all this can be found on a trip through the park.
Interesting facts about pa…

Monkey Jungle and Zip Line Adventures

Quite an interesting place worth a visit. A picturesque road through the rainforest, then a series of seven long, high and fast Zip lines – sort of hybrids of bungee and cable car. It is a very adrenaline pleasure, especially when you fall vertically into a cave, the bottom of which is not visible 🙂 Finally, …

Lost World

Going on a trip to Buen Ombre, we will go to the outback of the Dominican Republic, where, not far from the border with Haiti, far from civilization, there is a magnificent ocean bay with clear turquoise water, surrounded by picturesque mountains. On the shore of the bay stands Buen Hombre – a remote Dominican village, from all over the …

El Paraiso (Cayo Arena)

Cayo Arena is a small island in the Atlantic Ocean, located next to Monte Cristi. This island is widely known among diving and snorkeling enthusiasts due to its seabed, ideal for exploring marine life. Cayo Arena Beach is famous for its soft white sand, washed by …

Monte Cristi Tropical Islands – Mangroves – Ocean Fishing

Monte Cristi National Park The city of Monte Cristi is located on the plateau of the El Moppo mountain range, which is located in the northwest of the country. Currently, it is a quiet provincial town with about 20 thousand inhabitants. In the city, time goes slowly, and Mon …

Moto tourism, enduro tour

Motorcycle tours, or enduro tours, are a pleasure for those who know how to appreciate real adrenaline, are ready for the challenges of nature, and see themselves only at the top. An incredibly bright, modern, fantastic way to travel, explore the most beautiful corners of nature, discover new horizons and overcome …

Amber tour. Safari

Scientists have reliably established that blue Caribbean amber is a product of the vital activity of Hymenaea protera trees that have died out to our time (modern ceratonia is a relative of the disappeared family). These plants belong to legumes, and fossilized resinous secretions were formed as a result of natural …

Kayak tour

Excursion by KAYAK down the river Hamao del Norte. During this kayak trip, you can enjoy several turquoise blue pools. Even if you have little or no kayak experience, this tour is good. The river does most of the work and all you need to do is relax and enjoy…

You can order an excursion from the guide:

vladyslav

Wonders of Punta Cana

This trip combines all nearby popular places to visit at once. First of all, we will visit the round Mount Redonda, from the height of which a gorgeous view of the Samana Bay and El Limon Lake opens up, where you will take photos against the backdrop of the rich nature of the northeast of the Dominican Republic (the greenest …

You can order an excursion from the guide:

vladyslav

Saona + City of Artists

Saona VIP is a special excursion format. We go here in small groups of up to 14 people, as a friendly team along our fascinating route. The island is the most popular in the Dominican Republic and receives thousands of visitors daily to its beaches. Our specialty is that we take …

You can order an excursion from the guide:

vladyslav

Saona with whales

For several centuries, the Samana Peninsula was actually cut off from Hispaniola (and then from the Dominican Republic). Remoteness from the capital, impregnable mountains and impenetrable tropical forests – thanks to this “isolation” Samana has still retained its virgin beauty. Lush tropical grows …

You can order an excursion from the guide:

Olga

Unforgettable Vieques or Isla Nena “baby island”!

Known as La Isla Nena “Baby Island”, Vieques is the largest natural reserve in the Caribbean; over 70% of the island is protected. Here you will find some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, as well as one of the remaining and most outstanding bioluminescent bays in the world…

You can order an excursion from the guide:

Olga

Puerto Rico – pleasure island (sightseeing tour)

The capital of Puerto Rico is the city of San Juan. It was founded by the Spanish conquerors in 1521. Today it is considered not only the oldest city in Puerto Rico, but also one of the first cities founded by Europeans in the United States. San Juan is a modern city with the characteristic features of an American metropolis. However, for the glitter…

You can order an excursion from the guide:

Olga

Shopping guide

Considering the variety of outlets in such a big city as Toronto, it is safe to say that shopping here will please both connoisseurs of expensive branded items and supporters of economical purchases. The most expensive shopping awaits shoppers on Bloor Street between Yonge Street and Avenue Road, where p …

You can order an excursion from the guide:

Olga

Saona Island + City of Artists (Altos de Chavon)

Journey to the paradise island of Saona! Exactly the one where the Bounty commercial was filmed! Snow-white beaches, palm groves and azure waters of the Caribbean Sea! Relax on a private island with drinks and food already included in the price! An adventure on a speedboat in the Caribbean Sea with a roof that saves from the sun!—  . ..

You can order an excursion from the guide:

Olga

2. The best day 3 in 1 Los Haitises + Mount Redonda + Paraiso Canyo Ondo + Zipline

1. We travel by motorboat in Dominican Venice, the mangrove forest of Los Haitises National Park. The boat is equipped with a roof and everything necessary for a comfortable and safe trip. This park is called the residence of God, the area of ​​​​which is 120 square kilometers. Thanks to u…

When can you see bioluminescence in St. Croix?

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From Japan to Puerto Rico, these are the best places around the world to discover dazzling bioluminescence.

  • Toyama Bay, Japan. Naqeebkakar2014. …
  • Mosquito Bay, Puerto Rico. anastasiia_travel_yoga. …
  • Matsu Islands, Taiwan. …
  • Luminous Lagoon, Jamaica.
  • Mudhdhoo Island, Maldives. …
  • Waitomo Caves, New Zealand. …
  • Blue Grotto, Malta.

where can I find bioluminescent water?

7 Bioluminescent beaches and coves that glow at night

  • Sam Moon Tsai Beach, Hong Kong. …
  • Manasquan, New Jersey. …
  • Toyama Bay, Japan. …
  • Mosquito Bay, Puerto Rico. …
  • Indian River Lagoon, Florida. …
  • Halong Bay, Vietnam. …
  • Mission Bay, San Diego.

What is the best time to see bioluminescent?

Although we usually see bioluminescence at night during the year, the optimal viewing time is around new moons when there is no moonlight reflecting on the water . During the summer months, during these darkened nights, bioluminescent plankton give off a neon blue glow!

Can you swim in bioluminescent water?

Bioluminescent bay at La Parguera is the only bay in Puerto Rico where swimming is allowed and it adds to the truly magical bay tour experience. On our bio-lag trips, you will be provided with snorkel gear so you can dive underwater and swim among the sparkling organisms.

Bioluminescence lasts all night?

Each Bioluminescent Night Tour lasts approximately two hours and is suitable for both small and large groups. However, the greater the amount of water disturbance, the more bioluminescence visible in the water. … the darker the night, the more impressive the light show you will witness.

What triggers bioluminescence?

Bioluminescence is due to a chemical reaction that produces light energy in the body. For a reaction to occur, the species must contain luciferin , a molecule that, when it reacts with oxygen, produces light.

Which beach is best for bioluminescence?

Bioluminescent beaches

  1. Mosquito Bay, Puerto Rico: Bioluminescent beaches. …
  2. Luminous Lagoon, Jamaica: Luminous beaches. …
  3. Ha Long Bay, Vietnam: glowing beaches.
  4. Tomai Bay, Japan: bioluminescent beaches. …
  5. Reeti Beach, Maldives: glowing beaches. …
  6. Tusan Beach, Miri, Malaysia. …
  7. Gippsland Lake, Australia. …
  8. Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica.

Is bioluminescence harmful to humans?

Is bioluminescence harmful to humans? There is no reason to avoid this amazing phenomenon, since not all bioluminescence is harmful . Bioluminescence is actually the natural defense mechanism of many marine creatures, including phytoplankton, squid, shrimp, and some fish.

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Do you see bioluminescence in the rain?

No. Being in the bay when it rains is a magical experience and has been called Bay of Lights . Every drop of rain that hits the surface will provide a display of light.

Where are the 5 bioluminescent bays?

There are five bioluminescent bays in the world and three of them are in puerto rico . Mosquito Bay, Laguna Grande and La Parguera. The other two are located in the Luminous Lagoon in Jamaica and Ha Long Bay in Vietnam. A bioluminescent bay or bio-bay is a body of water that glows.

How long do bioluminescent waves last?

Phytoplankton bloom growing offshore, not as big as last year’s event…yet? One day, like last year, it can be seen week after week. In other cases, he sees for only a few days.

Does Saint Croix have any good beaches?

The beaches of Croix USVI are considered some of the best beaches in the Caribbean, and there’s a good reason why. You’ll find fine soft white sand to soak your toes in, warm crystal clear turquoise waters, and intimate, secluded burynkas surrounded by lush tropical vegetation.

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where can I snorkel in St. Croix?

The best scuba diving in st. croix, usvi

  • Jack and Isaac Bay Reserve. Known as some of the most beautiful beaches in the street. ..
  • Buck Island National Monument. …
  • Cane Bay. …
  • Davis Bay. …
  • Frederiksted Pier. …
  • Shoys Beach. …
  • Rainbow Beach. …
  • Resources.

Where is the bioluminescence in St. Croix?

Croix is ​​home to not one but two of the Caribbean’s rare bioluminescent bays! Both a national historical park and an ecological reserve Salt River Bay , and Altona Lagoon offer visitors the chance to witness the “Petal Lights” at night.

What time of year does bioluminescence occur?

The summer months are usually the best time of the year to observe glowing plankton. For the best experience, you should consider passing anytime between mid-May and early October . Also, try scheduling a night kayaking tour around 5 days after the full moon.

Which beach has glowing water?

Mosquito Bay , better known as Bioluminescent Bay, is a calm, warm, shallow bay on the south coast of Puerto Rico. The bay is internationally renowned for its extreme bioluminescence, billed as the brightest in the world.

Which beach has bioluminescent waves?

Newport Beach, CA . (KABC) – Electric blue waves are back along the south coast! Bioluminescent waves illuminate the waters off Newport Beach.

Is a person bioluminescent?

Researchers have created a synthetic bioluminescent system based on acalumin by modifying the luciferase gene through directed evolution. This enabled them to develop a synthetic bioluminescence system that could be used in living animal tissues.

Can you create bioluminescence?

Bioluminescence is the natural ability of certain plants and animals to create light through chemical interaction . … Similarly, researchers are also developing methods to create bioluminescent trees for a line of city and suburban streets.

Which color is the most bioluminescent?

For example, most marine bioluminescence is expressed in the blue-green portion of the visible light spectrum. These colors are easier to see in the deep ocean. In addition, most marine organisms are only sensitive to blue-green colors. They cannot physically process yellows, reds, or purples.

Do you see bioluminescence during a full moon?

Another factor in bioluminescence is the amount of moonlight in the bay during your tour. While the gibbous moon that came out on our partly colorful night made for a nice sight, a larger full moon on a clearer night might have made it a little more difficult to spot the green/blue aurora.

Do you see bioluminescence in Florida?

Although rare in Florida, bioluminescence does exist. Basically you can find plankton and their magic lights on Florida’s Space Coast . If you’re not located right off the east coast near Central Florida, you’re off to a trip.

does bioluminescence occur every year?

Luminous algae may appear at different times during the seasons, but have been appearing every spring for the last few years.

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