Best Times to Visit Puerto Rico’s Bioluminescent Bays
Puerto Rico is home to three of the world's bioluminescent bays. These natural wonders host microscopic organisms called dinoflagellates that produce a blue-green light when agitated. Puerto Rico’s bio bays are popular tourist attractions, offering a unique and unforgettable experience. Tours can be experienced by kayak, paddleboard, or powerboat depending on which of the 3 bays you choose to visit.
If you want to experience a bio bay in person there are a couple of different factors to keep in mind when picking what time of year to visit Puerto Rico, but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
Weather Conditions
Weather conditions are one of the most important factors to consider. These tours are best experienced during clear nights when the waters are calm, with minimal waves and wind. Keep an eye on the forecast, because rain or choppy waters can diminish the visibility of the dinoflagellates’s bioluminescence. Most tours run rain or shine, so be sure to check out the cancellation policies before you book.
Speaking of rain, it’s important to be mindful of the rainy season in Puerto Rico as this stirs up the water, and reduces overall visiblity. The rainy season is April - November so we would advise against booking your trip during these months.
Phase of the Moon
With the time of year in mind, it’s also important to look at the phases of the moon. New moons offer the darkest nights, which can help make the bioluminescence “pop” or look especially bright. When the moon is in a waning or waxing phase, it will provide some ambient light, but it won’t have a huge impact on the dinoflagellate’s visibility. Going on a full moon kayak tour can provide for an amazing experience, but it can also make the bay seem less bright due to the excess in natural lighting. If you can only book a tour when the moon is full, we still think it’s worth taking the tour.
What time of year to visit
The bioluminescent bays in Puerto Rico are visible year round, but as we discussed above things like weather and phases of the moon can impact the bio bay’s radiance. Our recommendation for the best time to go to a bio bay would be sometime between December - February. These months fall outside of the rainy season, which means the water will be more clear, and you’re less likely to get rained on during the tour itself. March typically bring more tourists, particularly those on spring break, so while the weather is still great, it tends to be a bit busier and tours sell out a lot quicker. That being said, you can always book your tour in advance!
If you’re planning a trip in March, and want to go on a bio bay, we strongly recommending booking your tour well in advance.
Bioluminescent Bays to Visit
Puerto Rico has 3 different bio bays to choose from, so no matter where you are staying on the island you should have relatively easy access to one of these natural wonders.
Mosquito Bay on Vieques has the distinction of being the brightest bay in Puerto Rico. Vieques is an island off the east coast of Puerto Rico, and is accessible by plane or boat. One of the easiest ways to get to Vieques is traveling by ferry.
Laguna Grande, located by Fajardo on the east coast of the island, is easily accessible from San Juan. It’s a short 60-90 minute from Old San Juan and makes for a great day trip. Fajardo is also home to a variety of different waters sports - it’s a great way to spend time before you head out for your kayak trip. In addition to the bio bay tours, Fajardo is a hot spot for water sports.
La Parguera, located in the city of Lajas on the southwestern corner of the island, is unique in the fact that it is the only bio bay that allows motorboats and for people to swim amongst dinoflagellates. This is the perfect option for those who aren’t interested in traveling by Kayak, and prefer the ease of access that cruising on a boat provides.
Other considerations
Bio bay tours generally sell out quickly. Waiting until the week of the tour to book might mean the difference between getting to experience the bio bay of your choice, or not. While you can’t predict the weather 2-3 weeks out, most tour operators offer generous cancellation policies. We think it’s better to air on the side of caution, book your tour, and then keep an eye on the weather as you get closer to the date of the tour. Check out this curated selection of Bio Bay tours here.
