Bio-Bay in Fajardo by Kayak – A Sparkling Experience
Posted on Apr 7th, 2007 by Gwenn • Updated on Feb 25th, 2010
There are three bioluminescent bays (bio-bays) in Puerto Rico. One in the SouthWest – "La Parguera", one on Vieques – "Mosquito Bay", and the one in Fajardo – "La Laguna Grande". Out of all three, Mosquito Bay is the brightest, and La Parguera is the least bright. La Laguna Grande in Fajardo is very bright, and it is convenient to do from San Juan and the main island.
What Is It?
A bio bay is a body of water that contains millions of micro-organisms, called “dinoflagellates”, that glow in the dark for a second when agitated. It is a rare, natural wonder that you can easily experience while visiting Puerto Rico. It is best seen on a dark night, try to go when it is moonless or close to it. It also is best on a warm night. But even on a less than ideal night, the bioluminescence will be visible. It is a fragile environment, that can be destroyed (as was the La Parguera bay) by excessive abuse from motor oil, sunscreen and bug repellent.
Who To Use?
The usual way most people visit the Fajardo BioBay is on a kayak. There are many kayak operators that guide tours into the bio-bay. They are all similar except for the snacks at the end and the color of their glo-sticks. They all meet at Las Croabas, which is a small bay with a public boat dock. We, and our guests, have used Kayaking Puerto Rico and Las Tortugas in the past – they seem to limit the number of people on their tour and we found them to be very responsive to inquires.
Can I Do It?
We think kayaking is fun and relatively easy. Even if you have never done it before, are out of shape, are young or older – you may want to try it. All the kayak operators provide a mandatory life jacket to wear and will give you a brief “lesson” on how to kayak – and away you go! If you are really bad at it (or just feel uncomfortable) – the group leader usually will help you out. We found the kayaking in the canal isn’t hard except for two places where the canal gets thin, so the current picks up. Some people do go astray and their kayak meets the mangrove bushes, but we didn’t find it to be that big of a problem. We always easily get back on track.
The Details
There are usually 2 trips per night: one right at sundown and one about 9:00pm. Each trip takes about 2.5 hours from start to finish. I like the earlier one because at that time you can still see the iguanas in the trees above you, and it is not so dark on your way through the channel, but it is dark by the time you get to the lagoon.
All the tours start off near the boat ramp, and then you kayak across the boat marina to a thin channel that leads to the lagoon. You have to go single file to avoid hitting each other and the sides of the channel. The mangrove trees make a canopy over your head, which is low in some spots. But as you get closer to the lagoon, you will notice little sparkles as you dip not heard back from you.your paddles into the water.
Once you get through the channel, it opens up to a large lagoon. By now, your paddles leave a swirl of glow behind at each stroke. Your tour guide will gather all of the kayaks on your tour together, explain the bioluminescence phenomenon, and answer questions that you might have.
After spending some time playing with the water making sparkles, the guide leads you back through the channel. You may meet up with another group, but if everyone sticks to the right and it all works out. The guides are all bi-lingual, and knowledgeable about the area, the bio-bay and kayaking. They will answer your questions and may even suggest places for dinner after your workout!
Effective in April 2007, the Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources no longer allows swimming in the lagoon. Though some rogue operators do allow it, be advised that, if the authorities see you swimming, there can be heavy fines levied against both the swimmer and the tour operator.
We recently (July 2008) re-visited Laguna Grande in Fajardo and were happy to find that the ban on swimming has had a positive effect on the health (brightness) of the bio bay.
What To Wear?
All of the kayak operators use sit-upon ocean kayaks, which means that your butt will get wet – wear a bathing suit or shorts that you don’t mind getting wet. Also, getting in and out of the kayak requires you to walk in the water (usually no more than mid-calf deep), so wear water shoes or go bare foot. There is really no where to change at Las Croabas, so wear shorts that will dry quickly, or be prepared to change in your car afterward. Bring a towel or something dry, so that when you get back to shore, you can dry your bottom off.
Most kayak companies run their tours Monday through Saturday, and give the lagoon the night off on Sunday to rest. Some companies do go out on Sundays.
The public bathrooms near the boat ramp are in bad maintenance, so plan accordingly.
The minimum age to kayak is 6 years old.
Even if an operator has a web site, we recommend calling. Emails often go unanswered.
Prices vary by operator, but are typically around $45 per person.
If you're happy, let them know it — Don't forget to tip your your bartender, tour guide or trip operator if you enjoyed yourself. Gratuities are appreciated and typically aren't included in the price they charge you.
The times for tours vary by operator, but they typically start around sundown, with a second tour around 9:00pm.
Allow at least 2.5 hours for your tour. Check with your tour operator if you’re on a tight schedule.
Kayaking Puerto Rico – (787)435-1665 or (787)245-4545. Also, on the web at kayakingpuertorico.com
Las Tortugas Adventures / Caribe Kayak – (787)809-0253 or (787)637-8356. On the web at kayak-pr.com
Eco Xcursion Aquatica – (787)888-2887 or (787)550-4630 Akuadventures – (787)685-9522 they have clear bottom kayaks. They go out on Sunday nights. Encantos Ecotours – (787)272-0005 AdvenTours – (787)889-0251 or (787)530-8311 Enchanted Island Eco Tours – (787)888-2887 or (787)564-9827. On the web at eietecotourspr.com Yokahu Kayak Trips – (787)604-7375 or (787)863-5374
There are other options for those that can not kayak: Capt. Robles has an electric motorboat that is allowed to take people into the Laguna Grande BioBay. We think this is a great option for older folks,smaller children and handicapped people (or anyone else who doesn’t want to kayak!). Refer to our review of the trip. Space is limited.
Also Las Cabezas Nature Reserve has a night tour. An educational tour that also lets you see and play with the bio-luminescent water without too much physical effort. Reasonably priced, it seems ideal for the elderly, handicapped or people with small children, where kayaking or the trip to the Vieques BioBay is not an option. Only available on Thursday – Saturday. Refer to our review for more information, including hours and pricing.
Swimming is allowed in the Vieques Bio-Bay. East Island has night excursion to Vieques that includes dinner. Contact them if you want to swim in a Bio-Bay.
Los Croabas boat ramp is located at the end of Road 987 in Fajardo.
Los Croabas is about a 45-minute drive from our vacation rental in Rio Grande.
This was a really good article. Lots of good information. Appreciate it. Thanks!
Comment by Kruti Desai on August 14th, 2008 at 5:16 pmThanks for your informative, accurate information. My wife and I used it to set up a Fajardo (Laguna Grande) kayak tour with Las Tortugas in early April, 2009, and we found your description spot-on! We’ve been paddling and diving for decades, and we were blown away by how fun this was. The Las Tortugas group was small, (only 4 boats plus the guide, on the night we went out) the guide was very good, the price was as-advertised, the boats and gear were typical rental quality…and the hyper-bioluminescent location was MAGICAL!
Thanks for helping us have this wonderful experience while we visited Puerto Rico. We also enjoyed the radio telescope at Aricebo and the El Yunque rainforest very,very much! This was all a great warm-up for a week diving on the liveaboard dive boat “Nekton Pilot” that departs seasonally from Fajardo on an itinerary that takes divers to the coast of St. Croix.
Comment by Phil Stasik on April 21st, 2009 at 10:04 amThanks for the information. Very well organized. I appreciate it.
Comment by Pat on May 18th, 2009 at 9:24 pmHi,
Thanks for a ton of great info. I just have a quick question. Not having done kayaking before I’m slightly apprehensive of the water level in the biobays. Are they really deep i.e would we venture too far into the ocean?
Thanks in advance for the response!
Val
Comment by Val on June 22nd, 2009 at 3:05 pmWhen going to the Fajardo biobay, you not really venturing out into the ocean.
You start on the beach and paddle across an area where small boats are moored until you reach the mouth of the channel that goes through the mangroves into the biobay.
I believe the channel is only about 5 or 6 feet deep, while the center of the lagoon (biobay) is around 10 or 12 feet deep.
You’re not paddling in “open water” or doing an “ocean crossing” or anything like that. Actually, it’s more like kayaking in a lake than in the ocean (we have done both).
Comment by Ray on June 23rd, 2009 at 6:19 amThanks so much Ray!
Comment by Val on August 18th, 2009 at 3:45 pmOur experience with Kayaking Puerto Rico was excellent last year. I have been to La Parguera many times, and even though it has been fun to hang out there, I can tell you that looking at “something” in a bucket is not an experience. Laguna Grande was so amazing and Kayaking Puerto Rico such a great service, that kayaking at the bio-bay in Fajardo is the first thing I tell people about when they ask about what to do in Puerto Rico. I had been on a kayak once before, but even if I hadn’t, the quick lesson we were given and the great attention by the guys of Kayaking Puerto Rico made it very easy and an enjoyable experience. We felt safe at all times and definitely taken care of. Groups with other companies seemed disorganized and even left people behind!! Our guys were SO nice that they helped them get back to their own groups! Expect to definitely get wet from the waist down at least. Make sure you don’t bring any wallets or unnecesary stuff with you. They do have a little box where you can put your car keys and other small items for safeguard, but I had better peace of mind leaving my things in the car (except the car keys of course!). Since the tour is done at nighttime, don’t even bring your camera. The glow cannot be photographed and you’ll just be worried about getting your camera wet the entire time. At the end, they also take a photo of you coming back to shore… which you can purchase. ABSOLUTELY MUST DO WHILE IN P.R.!
Comment by Ms. T on November 25th, 2009 at 10:13 pmThis is the best information I have found so far. Thanks for the author to write such a great article!
Comment by Guang on November 28th, 2009 at 8:31 pm