Bioluminescent Mosquito Bay
Bioluminescent Mosquito Bay
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
Watch the world’s brightest bioluminescent bay glow as you paddle a glass-bottomed kayak. Catch a ferry at the port outside the town of Ceiba to reach the quiet island of Vieques off the east coast of Puerto Rico. Vieques’ secluded mangrove bay is beautiful during the day but simply astonishing after sunset. You’ll marvel at the neon blue trail left by microorganisms whenever they are disturbed—just dip your hands in the water and watch the effects. Visit on a dark night (e.g. during a new moon) to ensure peak visibility of the phenomenon.
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- Tracy M2 contributionsGreat experienceWe went with Blackbeard. JJ’s van ride was entertaining. Our tour guides were Maeve and Luis. We went near a full moon, but were lucky cut and had pretty solid cloud cover. It’s a really cool experience. Even my 70 year old mother who had never kayaked before enjoyed it!Visited February 2024Travelled with familyWritten 23 February 2024
- JenniferChicago, Illinois40 contributionsMust do in ViequesThis is a must see if you visit Vieques. It was probably the highlight of our eight days in Puerto Rico, and that's saying something! The bioluminescence is so much more impressive than I expected. Everyone in my family loved it!Visited March 2024Travelled with familyWritten 31 March 2024
- Scott GFort Worth, Texas109 contributionsUnique ExperienceIt was so bright and the jumping fish on the water made it magical. Staring up at the endless sky full of stars was a bonus, but the guides, info and bioluminescent lights were the real stars of the show :-) Great communication, fun van ride and the guides were full of information. Most unique experience we've ever done!Visited August 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 2 September 2024
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4.5
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ChristopherG
Wake Forest, NC7 contributions
Dec 2019
All of the kayak tour companies have standard ocean style or modified clear bottom (insert) style boats. We went with the "Taino Aqua Adventure Bio Bay Tour" company.
The have completely clear hull kayaks!!! Yes, the entire boat, less the seat pad and backrest is clear lexan type material.
Very strong and stable. My wife and I total about 480lbs and we had no problem balancing and paddling around the huge bay.
The tour guides and van driver are awesome and make sure you have the best time regardless of weather and conditions. Just remember - NO DEET bug repellents - please! It kills the dinoflagelates (the glowy thingys)
Capturing images of the activity and what is going on in the bay is impossible without specialized, professional equipment. Sad really.
But your memories of the event will be something truly special!
The have completely clear hull kayaks!!! Yes, the entire boat, less the seat pad and backrest is clear lexan type material.
Very strong and stable. My wife and I total about 480lbs and we had no problem balancing and paddling around the huge bay.
The tour guides and van driver are awesome and make sure you have the best time regardless of weather and conditions. Just remember - NO DEET bug repellents - please! It kills the dinoflagelates (the glowy thingys)
Capturing images of the activity and what is going on in the bay is impossible without specialized, professional equipment. Sad really.
But your memories of the event will be something truly special!
Written 4 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CARebekah
Thousand Oaks, CA324 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
We went with Aqua Sunset Tours, and they are great. We were picked up right on time in the public parking lot in front of El Blok. A bumpy ride to the bay with a very enthusiastic and entertaining driver ends with a short walk to the kayaks. This company has completely clear kayaks, and that makes a BIG difference, as you will literally see. Our guides were competent and professional. We were in very good hands.
We went on a new moon, which is highly recommended. The bay is completely dark, until you put your hand or oar into the water. Then it lights up with what I can only describe as sparkles. I am in my 60s, and got giggly with this like a 4 year old. So awesome! Along with kayaking in the sparkling bay, the guides treat you to the science and history of the bay.
One guide also pointed out the constellations in the dark sky above.
If you are lucky enough to be in Vieques, DO book this tour! It is an experience you will enjoy and never forget.
We went on a new moon, which is highly recommended. The bay is completely dark, until you put your hand or oar into the water. Then it lights up with what I can only describe as sparkles. I am in my 60s, and got giggly with this like a 4 year old. So awesome! Along with kayaking in the sparkling bay, the guides treat you to the science and history of the bay.
One guide also pointed out the constellations in the dark sky above.
If you are lucky enough to be in Vieques, DO book this tour! It is an experience you will enjoy and never forget.
Written 2 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MinksyMeep
Humacao, Puerto Rico4 contributions
Jun 2021
If you're anywhere near Puerto Rico, you have to go tour the bio bay on Vieques. It's the brightest in the world and we had such a magical experience. I HIGHLY recommend touring with Aqua Sunset tours, as their guides are phenomenal and they use totally clear kayaks. We felt like we were floating on a sky full of stars.
Written 18 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sbruther
Howell, NJ7 contributions
Jan 2022 • Couples
We loved every minute of our time in Vieques but the Bio Bay was, without hesitation, the absolute best part of the trip. The sky above the bay has almost no light pollution at all and between the wonder of the light show going on in the water and stars in the sky, you literally don't know what to look at first. Pictures and videos do not do this experience justice. If you are blessed enough to have the opportunity to experience this natural wonder in your lifetime, it is a must-see!!
We toured with Blackbeard Sports and our guides were engaging, informative, and fun. They explained all about the history of the Bay, what causes bioluminescence, and gave a mini-astrology lesson. Our kayaks had clear bottoms which truly enhanced the experience.
There are many compainies running tours there all at the same time but they all did an excellent job of staying out of each other's way so that noise from one tour did not distract from the others and you never got mixed up about what group you're supposed to be with even though it is really dark out there. Every company was getting their people into and out of kayaks at about the same time and yet the launching area and process never felt chaotic or disorganized.
Quick story about the kinds of people we encountered in Vieques: my husband lost his wallet somewhere on the grounds around Mosquito Bay. One of the guides from a different tour company found it and somehow managed to track down which company we were there with, get ahold of them to let them know what they found, and the two tour companies coordinated a place for our tour bus to meet theirs on the way out so he could get it back. They did all this in the time we were on the Bay and hadn't even realized it was missing yet! He had a decent amount of cash in the wallet and not one cent was missing. Even more importantly, his ID was in it! We would have had to spend the rest of our trip trying to figure out how to get him a replacement ID so we could get home. The kindness and honesty of the tour guides literally saved our vacation. We felt that sense of community throughout our stay on this lovely and special island. JJ from BlackBeard Tours, Rega from Aqua Sunset, and Regina if you happen to read this, we can never thank you enough!!!
We toured with Blackbeard Sports and our guides were engaging, informative, and fun. They explained all about the history of the Bay, what causes bioluminescence, and gave a mini-astrology lesson. Our kayaks had clear bottoms which truly enhanced the experience.
There are many compainies running tours there all at the same time but they all did an excellent job of staying out of each other's way so that noise from one tour did not distract from the others and you never got mixed up about what group you're supposed to be with even though it is really dark out there. Every company was getting their people into and out of kayaks at about the same time and yet the launching area and process never felt chaotic or disorganized.
Quick story about the kinds of people we encountered in Vieques: my husband lost his wallet somewhere on the grounds around Mosquito Bay. One of the guides from a different tour company found it and somehow managed to track down which company we were there with, get ahold of them to let them know what they found, and the two tour companies coordinated a place for our tour bus to meet theirs on the way out so he could get it back. They did all this in the time we were on the Bay and hadn't even realized it was missing yet! He had a decent amount of cash in the wallet and not one cent was missing. Even more importantly, his ID was in it! We would have had to spend the rest of our trip trying to figure out how to get him a replacement ID so we could get home. The kindness and honesty of the tour guides literally saved our vacation. We felt that sense of community throughout our stay on this lovely and special island. JJ from BlackBeard Tours, Rega from Aqua Sunset, and Regina if you happen to read this, we can never thank you enough!!!
Written 14 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MarlaTaylor
Roanoke, VA57 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
We have also done the Bio Bay in Fajardo, and this bay was much more amazing! The Fun Brothers took us out to the bay, and it was a magical experience! The glass bottom kayaks were the coolest thing. The bay literally sparkles with every touch, and the water moves like glitter underneath you! It even makes the fish swimming look like they are glowing too. The tour operators were very knowledgeable and explained so much of the science behind the bay as well. And don’t forget to look up! The sky and stars were just as sparkly, you could even see the Milky Way. Such an awesome tour, not to be missed!
Written 25 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa M
3 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
Vieques kayak tour group is the worst. First, the bus ride into the bay is like a raiders of the lost ark ride. Hitting some potholes is no biggie, but it was truly dangerous in an ancient rickety bus banging around so severely it was like being in 100 accidents. Then you get there and the stench is beyond anything disgustingly imaginable. Like vomitously indescribably horrible.
Then, to get to the kayaks, you have to walk for fifteen feet or so in that bog of stenchy mud and water, so gross, up to your calves, and you cannot wear shoes, as they will be stuck. They do not warn you of this in advance of the tour. They just say, when you get there, to take off your shoes as they will get muddy, not, you will slug through a foot of swamp muck and have it on you for an hour. Honestly, I think literally having feces to walk through and spread on my legs would have been less gross.
The kayak was the small, sit on top shallow kind. You had to paddle for an hour total time. So, all that, was it worth it? Not at all. Not one bit. The phenomenon is pretty boring. A little bit of white light sparkling when your oar or hand hit the water. Big woop, so what. Nothing like the pics online, no visible glow in the water, or colors, just some white light for a second, when the water is touched.
When the guide talked, for what seemed like forever, about the mango trees that somehow cause or support the algae stuff, he said if they didn't exist we would not be here tonight. I thought - frigging trees. Now, I am praying I don't get some swamp muck skin infection.
Oh, and it poured rain on us for a while too, just for added crap.
Then, to get to the kayaks, you have to walk for fifteen feet or so in that bog of stenchy mud and water, so gross, up to your calves, and you cannot wear shoes, as they will be stuck. They do not warn you of this in advance of the tour. They just say, when you get there, to take off your shoes as they will get muddy, not, you will slug through a foot of swamp muck and have it on you for an hour. Honestly, I think literally having feces to walk through and spread on my legs would have been less gross.
The kayak was the small, sit on top shallow kind. You had to paddle for an hour total time. So, all that, was it worth it? Not at all. Not one bit. The phenomenon is pretty boring. A little bit of white light sparkling when your oar or hand hit the water. Big woop, so what. Nothing like the pics online, no visible glow in the water, or colors, just some white light for a second, when the water is touched.
When the guide talked, for what seemed like forever, about the mango trees that somehow cause or support the algae stuff, he said if they didn't exist we would not be here tonight. I thought - frigging trees. Now, I am praying I don't get some swamp muck skin infection.
Oh, and it poured rain on us for a while too, just for added crap.
Written 1 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
deus32
5 contributions
Dec 2022
I spent a lot of time finding expensive flights, hotel and taxi's for one night to specifically see the Bioluminescent Bay which I booked 5 days in advance. I then receive a text message 4 hours before the scheduled tour time saying, "We are overbooked and will be refunding you your money, Sorry for any inconvenience" Luckily my hotel staff found me a more reputable and professional tour company (Taino) who accommodated us. The Bio bay tour is a great experience.
Written 27 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sara F
1 contribution
Aug 2021 • Couples
This tour was cancelled at the last minute. This last minute cancelation cost us over 180$ in taxi fees, 70$ in an unused hotel room, and hours of travel time for nothing. While we are getting our tour cost refunded, we incurred costs more then the tour because of the company canceling at the last minute, with no explanation for the cancelation. Thankfully we decided to not continue our trip to Vieques because it would have cost us even more un transportation fees (we had to make snap decisions while already waiting for the island ferry.
Written 24 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephanie_asks
Germany608 contributions
Apr 2023
I saw the bioluminescence with a kayak tour of "theshowtours", guided by Raul and another lady. We were the first kayaks which went out to mosquito bay which had 3 advantages: 1) I had to catch the last ferry at 9:30 pm (like a mother with 2 children who were also on the same tour). 2) The moon was still low. When the moon is high one can't see the bioluminiscence. 3) We were the first and not at risk to bump into other kayaks. I could see the bioluminescence, when moving the paddle or our hands in the water. It's also beautiful to see a kayak ahead of oneself. Raul gave many explanations about the dinoflagellates and the conditions for bioluminescence. I was very happy with the tour. The price was US $ 65 and fair because we were dropped off at the ferry what other tour operators don't do. Recommendation for an improval: Paddle and stop further in the bay before giving explanations (before the other kayaks are coming).
Written 14 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RVAEXPLORER
Richmond, VA48 contributions
Apr 2021 • Friends
Abe's bio bay tour was an awesome experience tour guide Caesar was very knowledgeable and made the tour very fun. The bay itself has an amazing backdrop of the rolling hills and skyline, and overall peaceful energy. The glow is brighter than in the recent past, def recommend for anyone visiting the island. - Salud!
Written 8 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Am I able to bring children? What is the ticket price for 5 year old and infant?
Written 9 December 2023
Trek687885
Panama City, Panama
Se puede ir el jueves? Me dijeron que por la reciente lluvia es peligroso ir. Y como jueves mi último día libre enserio quiero ver esa playa 😭
Written 29 October 2023
has the bioluminescence been affected by the recent hurricane
Written 22 October 2022
Wondering same question!
Written 4 November 2022
Is there an option to take a pontoon boat? We're not experienced kayakers.
Written 26 November 2021
There were no pontoon boats. A pontoon wouldn’t allow one to see the bioluminescence very well as you need to disturb the water with one’s paddle to see the underwater glow.
Written 27 November 2021
Is the only way to do this tour…to spend the night on the island? We are staying in El Bayamón and don’t want to spend the night on Vieques.
Written 3 August 2021
The tour happens at night so unless there's a late-night flight, there's no way to get off the island after the end of the tour. I believe the last ferry boat off the island happens before the end of the tour.
Written 5 August 2021
Yes they are. There are many tour groups going to both the one in fajardo snd the one in vieques.
Written 10 April 2021
Can you boat to mosquito bay from san juan?
Written 6 March 2020
No it’s like a little separate lake that’s protected. They don’t let just anyone in there
Written 7 March 2020
Vanessa
Austin, Texas
I guess my question is, after having walked the Yunque, and experiencing that it was difficult to walk the trail, what physical level do you have to be to participate?
Written 28 February 2020
You take kayaks from the beach and travel a total of 3 miles. The kayaking portion goes at a slow pace so no worry there. If you can sit for roughly 2 hrs, can continuously row then you can do this.
Written 10 April 2021
Is it worth seeing bioluminescence bay on a night when the moon is almost full?
Written 22 February 2020
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