Comments on: Visit the Vieques Biobay Without Staying the Night

By: Michele

Michele — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 19:22:42 +0000

This was one of the best experiences in my lifetime so far. I grew up a military child and moved around a lot but have never seen anything like this. My daughter learned about the Bioluminescence Dinoflagellates in science class. She told us that in class she learned that it is predicted that in 5 to 10 years there will be no more bio bays in the world. So, even though the trip was pricey we figured we should do it because one day they may not exist.

Once we went on the trip we realized it really isn’t that pricey at all considering what goes into this operation. First a boat ride to Vieques while the sun is setting was just beautiful with unlimited drinks. It was the most choppy ride I’ve ever been on but luckily I don’t mind rough seas. Then a ride to the restaurant and the food was pretty good. Try the Coqui garlic lime hot sauce on your food, but don’t worry the bottle says no Coqui’s were harmed! After the meal they explained a little about the Bay and why and how it glows. Next you get on a bus that takes you too the bay. It was a little bumpy but not too bad. Last but not least the boat ride to the Bay. It was amazing to see strips of blue light darting all over the bay. (fish) They no longer allow swimming in the bay because of a small shark bite but they do bring a few buckets of water onto the boat so you can put your hands in the water and see the sparkle on your skin. While on the boat they told a little about the stars and I found that very interesting. The people that work for this company are the most informative and fun people! This trip was a blast, something I’ll never forget!!!!

By: Josh

Josh — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 12:31:53 +0000

After experiencing the East Island Excursions option to see the Vieques BioBay without spending the night, I left a little disappointed with the actual BioBay experience. I did it a few years back from a company that leaves from Vieques, and uses kayaks to get you to the center of the BioBay. I preferred the kayaks to the electric boat. The kayaking in the dark was cool, along with seeing the oars and other kayaks light up as you paddle inward from the shore. I also enjoyed that the kayaks prevents people from bringing phones and cameras. The electric boat causes people to bring all their stuff, along with phones and cameras, which creates a lot of light pollution, as they take pictures (with annoying flash), review pictures, and use and talk on the phone. Flash is like lightning in the darkness of the BioBay, and small LCD screens emit serious light in the darkness.

I have no complaints about East Island Excursions. They were great, professional, and organized, and they offer you A LOT for the money that you pay. It seems expensive, until you do it, and realize what a great value it is. I would absolutely recommend them.

If time is an issue, consider this option, or just opt for the BioBay in Fajardo (no swimming option, though). If you can afford the time, and extra effort it will take on your part, consider spending the night on Vieques, to mazimize the best BioBay in the world. It’s a cool little island, with a great selection of beaches.

By: Joyce

Joyce — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 15:37:51 +0000

Went June 26, 2011 and all I can say is the East Wind Excursion is the BEST!!

By: Anita

Anita — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 12:03:12 +0000

We just returned from a week’s vacation in Puerto Rico and I have to say your article helped us tremendously. In speaking with others around the pool, etc (at the Rio Mar Resort where we stayed) many had already gone to a biobay but not used East Wind. Our experience far surpassed theirs so we passed on the East Wind info to those that had not yet planned their biobay experience. Some even tried booking from the pool on their cell phones only to find the excursions for the week were sold out. So I suggest booking a week or so before your vacation just to be sure. It truly is a “must-do, once in a lifetime experience”.
Thanks for the great info.

By: LMO

LMO — Wed, 11 May 2011 19:41:11 +0000

After reading this article I just had to do this! Thanks so much for giving us a website that gives us so much information. This is def. an experience and I’m glad that we did not pass on it. When we went it was raining really bad. The boat ride to Vieques was very.. and I mean VERY bumpy! But all worth it:) I only wished that I could have a picture of us swimming in the Bay. However, I did take your instructions on how to take pictures and I did get a picture of darkness with the light showing!

By: Josh

Josh — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 02:41:16 +0000

In regard to the previous post:

That’s what they do so wonderfully here at PR Day Trips …. take the stress and uncertainty out of an excursion or activity. They give you all the tools you need to make the most out of them. This is a special website with some of the most useful and practical information out there. Good, good stuff.

By: Desi Wanderer

Desi Wanderer — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 20:42:33 +0000

Fantastic article! I have decided to go on this trip after reading your beautiful article which covers all questions I had in mind – ALL of them! Cheers!

By: Josh

Josh — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 11:54:04 +0000

A few years back, when I decided that I wanted to experience a bioluminescent bay tour in Puerto Rico, I did a little research. I found an article that compared the 3 different ones available in Puerto Rico, and found out that the one in Vieques was the best because it contained the highest concentration of the dinoflagellates that emit the light when stimulated/aggravated. If I remember correctly, it has the highest concentration of any biobay in the world! That’s all I needed to know, for my mind to be made up that Vieques was the one I wanted to experience. I did it the “traditional” way of taking the ferry over, and spending the night. The reason the tour reviewed on this page makes sense, is that there are several costs to spending the night. Obviously the lodging, but also in our case the car rental, the taxi to the car rental, the cost of the biobay tour, and food. If your only interest in Vieques is the biobay, then this tour makes a LOT of sense, from a time-efficient point of view, and from a economic point of view —- especially for a small group like one or two couples.

In my opinion it’s an experience that should not be missed. Some words to describe it are magical (not an exaggeration), cool, relaxing, memorable, special, and fun. If you have not done it, put it on your “to do” list, because I highly doubt that you will regret it.

By: Daniel J Pagan

Daniel J Pagan — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 14:30:07 +0000

I have to say this was one of the most memorable nights of my life. The entire experience was one that I can say it is a must for any couple, family, friends, whoever to go and do. I took my girlfriend here yesterday for our 3 year anniversary and I’m astatic that i did!!. The drive from Isla Verde there was about a hr and half. We drove rt 26 to 66e to 3e to 53e and it was just beautiful scenery left and right. Being from NYC made me appreciate the life I have. Once we go to Puerto Del Rey Marina we knew we in-store for a remarkable night. The ride to Vieques was about 45 min. It was a really nice, ride the crew made everyone feel very comfortable. They served Pina Colada and Rum punch.(If your one to get sea sick hold off on the drinks till the boat is about to dock) Once we got to Vieques we then went into a van which drove us through the island to a restaurant where we ate dinner. I was amazed to see horses being rode in the same streets as cars. I found it pretty cool being in traffic with animals..LOL. The meal was delicious! I Had Chuleta con Tostones( Pork chops and fried plantains) great homemade meal just like my mom made for my brothers and I as kids, so I was very happy about that. After eating dinner we boarded a good old cheez school bus and headed to the Mosquito BioBay. The ride was really bumpy, like a little adventure through the woods. The roads can never be fixed to preserve the natural state of the BioBay. Once at the Biobay we boarded a electric boat and went out into the bay. The crew on that boat made everyone feel so comfortable as well. The night was clear of clouds and the night sky was just SHINNING!!! The tour guy on this boat has a nifty laser and pointed out constellations in the sky and explained to everyone what made the bay glow, tiny micro-organisms called “dinoflagellates” are in the water and let off a glow. Once out to the middle of the bay we then were giving the opportunity to jump into the water and swim which is another amazing exp. in itself. In all this trip in one I feel everyone who comes to PUERTO RICO. It is worth every penny.

By: Mika

Mika — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 15:27:58 +0000

hey! this article was amazing!! thank you!!!!!!! we are going tommorow and this was very helpful!!!