Puerto Rico's three bioluminescent bays are Mosquito Bay on the island of Vieques,Laguna Grande in Fajardo, andLa Parguera in Lajas. Visiting a bioluminescent bay is a truly one-of-a-kind experience that you shouldn't miss in Puerto Rico. Luckily, these natural wonders are accessible from several of the most popular cities in Puerto Rico for visitors, and not far from the Port of San Juan for cruise passengers. Here's what you need to know to plan your trip!
Mosquito Bay
Recognized in 2006 by Guinness World Records as the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world,Mosquito BayinViequescaptivates with its beauty and pristine setting. The bay's mesmerizing brightness is due to the large concentration of dinoflagellates – a quantity that was inexplicably doubled after Hurricane María – ranging from an average of 1,000,000 to 2,100,000 per gallon of water. The lack of light pollution surrounding the Natural Reserve of Mosquito Bay and the mangrove swamps that feed the plankton make this natural spectacle one of Puerto Rico's true wonders.
Getting to Vieques
To get to Mosquito Bay, you'll first need to take a short flight or ferry to Vieques. Flights take about 25 minutes and leave from Isla Grande airport in San Juan. Ferries take about 45 minutes and leave from Ceiba in east Puerto Rico.
How to Get to Vieques & Culebra
Mosquito Bay Bio Bay Tours
The bay is located on the south side of Vieques, not far from the main town of Esperanza where you'll find many of the island's hotels and guesthouses. There are several local tour companies that offer guided tours of Mosquito Bay. Most tours meet in the Esperanza town center then travel to the bay via bus or van. Oftentimes, there are multiple tour times per night – one just after sunset and one around 8 p.m.
Mosquito Bay is accessed by kayak only. Some kayaks have glass bottoms which allow you to see the glowing water and billions of microorganisms beneath you. A tour guide will lead a small group of kayakers around the bay, pointing out features of the bay and explaining the science of bioluminescence. Most tours do not require guests to have prior kayaking experience.
Visit our Vieques page to search tour providers.
