Bioluminescent Bay Kayak Tour from San Juan: Nighttime Adventure in Mystical Mangroves
3.8
325 Ratings
Fajardo
Embark on a thrilling bioluminescent bay kayak tour from San Juan. Discover the mystical mangroves and meet the glowing Pyrodinium Bahamense plankton up close. Learn about this unique ecosystem and how to protect it.
Duration: 5 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Laguna Grande - You will paddle your way for 30 minutes each way in a two-person kayak, through the mystical mangrove channels leading to the Natural Reserve at Laguna Grande. Once you arrive to the area of the lagoon where the bioluminescence can be best experienced, our guides will explain how this entire ecosystem works and will allow you to play with the water to see this effect (swimming not allowed).

Please read complete description for restrictions and requirements.

What's Included
  • Quality kayaking gear and equipment, including sizes for children
  • Informative commentary on the local ecosystem
  • Kayaking orientation and safety instructions provided
  • Complimentary water bottles
  • Weight limit of 250 lbs (113 kg) per participant
  • Free pickup and drop-off in select San Juan areas
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Pickup in: Dorado, Rio Grande, Fajardo, Humacao. Meeting point option available.
Additional Information

Embark on a fully-supervised nighttime journey into the bioluminescent bay via kayak. Navigate through the enchanting mangrove channels, a round trip of approximately 30 minutes, leading you into Laguna Grande.
Once inside, encounter the luminous dwellers, the Pyrodinium Bahamense, tiny plankton endowed with the ability to illuminate naturally when touched. Get an intimate look at these fascinating beings as the skilled eco-guides reveal its intriguing aspects. Gain an understanding of how this delicate and exclusive ecosystem sustains its balance of life and how you can contribute to the preservation of this remarkable spot.

  • Maximum weight to participate: 240 pounds (108 kg) per person. Not combined, no exceptions.
  • Due to the strict weight restriction all participants are subject to be weighted prior to beginning the tour. No cancellations or refunds will be issued if a person neglects to inform correct weight, and is not able to participate of the tour.
  • Each participant must be capable of paddling on their own on a 2 person kayak, and be able to sit on the same position for about 2 hours.
  • You will get wet, it is recommended that you wear bathing suit underneath, bring a towel and extra clothes for after the tour.
  • Pregnant women, persons with recent surgeries, past injuries or back problems, heart complaints or other serious medical conditions cannot participate on this tour.
  • This tour does not includes a stop to eat.
  • The bio bay is an unpredictable natural phenomenon that may be influenced by multiple factors. Bioluminoscity level can vary from very visible to minimum or none without any previous notice. Full Moon phase may also affect the visibility. In the event of this happening alternate methods such as the use of a tarp will be incorporated in order to appreciate it.
  • Please travel light and only bring the necessary to the tour. Leave behind electronic devices, any important documentation like passport, large sums of cash or credit cards. Cell phones require waterproof case. Bespoke Lifestyle Management will not be responsible for lost or stolen belongings. No luggage allowed on the buses.
  • Reservations made for the 6pm tour (second run) have a probability of being rescheduled to the first run if minimum is not met, or first run still has spaces available.
  • Minimum age to participate is 7 years.
  • Participants cannot be afraid of the dark as you will be kayaking thru pitch black areas.
  • Failure to provide correct weight or hotel/lodging/cruise information upon booking may result in bus not being able to pick you at your location or close to it. No refunds will be issued due to this.
  • Bus will wait only 5 minutes after your assigned pick up time. No refunds will be issued if you miss your pick up.
  • This tour operates under rain and other weather conditions. Guide will determine to call it off when thunderstorms or other serious conditions happens.
  • Total estimate duration of 5 hours includes: 2 to 2.5 hours driving time and 2 hours at tour site
  • Published starting time is only an estimate. Exact pick up time will be provided the DAY PRIOR to your tour.
  • Bespoke LM Reserves the Right of Admission - If a person appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, not following instructions or being disruptive the Guide has the right to Cancel their reservation at any moment, and No Refunds will be issued due to this.
  • Persons with the previously listed health restrictions cannot participate on the tour. No refunds will be authorized if a person neglects to read complete description and does not meet the safety requirements and limitations on the day of the tour.
Location
Laguna Grande
Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
3.8
(325 Ratings)
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Angelagn8988nf
Apr 7, 2024
Exhilorating, once-in-a-lifetime experience - Incredible, one-of-a-kind experience. Kayaking at night, through a mangrove to see this rare bioluminescent phenomenon definitely checks a box off the bucket list! We had the good fortune of going out on a dark night shortly after a new moon, so the bioluminescent life was easier to see - glowing as we paddled through the darker parts, and even as we touched or splashed the water. I do have a list of caveats to offer...one, this is NOT a good moment for first-time kayakers. Paddling in the dark in a very crowded place can be scary and dangerous. If you are taking younger children, it would be good to have them understand the basic concept of paddling BEFORE you get out there for this (or be prepared to paddle hard yourself). All kayaks are doubles - if you have an odd number of participants, be prepared to have someone partner off with someone else. Due to the popular nature of this event, it is very CROWDED - not just with your own tour group, but with simultaneous others operating at the same time. This can be especially tricky when you are navigating the narrow channels - take care! All that being said, the crew were INCREDIBLY helpful on this trip. My daughter and I got extra special assistance (we were not in good sync for a while) to pull us through, as well as my inlaws (who had issues with one of their seats). We paddled 1.5 miles out and 1.5 miles back - keep in mind the distance for the abilities of your participants. I would not recommend trying to photograph as you go (the crew will take a group photo AND gets shots on the water for you). There is way too much going on in the water - you need to focus on (A.) paddling (staying mindful of those around you) and (B.) observing the phenomenon. Also, you WILL get wet so follow the tips about bringing a change of clothes!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michelle_s
Apr 4, 2024
Amazing Experience - Our family had such an amazing experience. The staff is awesome! We will remember this trip forever!
Review provided by Viator
Monica_g
Apr 2, 2024
Do it - It was amazing. Our night was cloudy so it was extra dark. It was especially dark in the mangroves. In the open bay, we could see fish disturbing the water and lighting up. The team that took us was great, they have workers throughout the line up guiding all the kayaks. It is difficult to photograph unless you change camera settings while taking the pictures.
Review provided by Viator
Cathy_w
Mar 23, 2024
Must to do in Puerto Rico - Great experience a must to do if you’re in Puerto Rico. Very interesting and fun. Guides were very detailed with safety
Review provided by Viator
M
Mar 22, 2024
Kayaking through the mangroves - Great experience kayaking through the mangroves. The bioluminescence was a little pale but it was there. Great guides. Paddling back in the dark was an experience. boats had glow-rings so we could see the boats ahead of us. Special thanks to Nathsn, our driver.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Stevetreistman
Mar 17, 2024
A bit magical - The kayak part of the trip was simply fantastic. The only reason I gave 4 and not 5 stars was the incredibly unsafe van driving by our local trip provider. His phone was much more important than our safety. I messaged the local provider but no response.
Review provided by Viator
Kristen_k
Mar 28, 2024
Dangerous but fun - Beautiful experience kayaking at night and stargazing but the tour operator (BeSpoke) was very unorganized and we did not feel safe at all. It was pure luck that no one in our group took an oar to the head with the way they and the 5 other tour operators sharing the water packed too many kayaks into too tight a space, especially with the number of novice kayakers. If this is your first time kayaking I would strongly recommend you do not make it this experience in the pitch dark. The people on our tour who had never kayaked before were openly petrified. Bespoke was also very difficult to communicate with leading up to the event. After 4 attempts with no response, I had to reach out to Viator who then asked Bespoke to contact me and it still took another whole day and another prompt from me to Viator to finally get a response about our pick up time and location (3 days total).
Review provided by Viator
Constance_c
Mar 25, 2024
Twinkling Bay - Being on the bay in a kayak and seeing the luminescence ! The kayaking itself was not pleasant due to the traffic. Way too many boats for the area we traveled . I also felt the guides - some at least need better people skills.
Review provided by Viator
Anne_b
Mar 23, 2024
😟 - We thought the lights weren’t visible enough And I thought they would know more about the biology of plankton I was disappointed
Review provided by Viator
Shelly_k
Mar 18, 2024
Sadly not enough bioluminescence - - bioluminescence is very faint, unlike the pictures used to advertise; we went on a half moon night - tour was not properly executed; not given enough information before it started on what to expect - kayaking through the forest in pitch dark was quite an adventure but not enough guidance or assistance provided by the four tour guides who accompanied us
Review provided by Viator
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
May 2024
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