Bioluminescent Bay Kayak Tour from San Juan: Nighttime Adventure in Mystical Mangroves
3.8
344 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
(344 Ratings)
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Kellyhu5064wu
Jun 1, 2024
5 stars - This trip was awesome! Once in a lifetime experience. George was our guide and he was THE BEST!!! informative and made sure me and my 8 year old were taken care of and had a good time w photos to remember the trip by
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Meredith_l
May 30, 2024
Magic is real folks - I felt like we were in a movie. This was a truly magical experience and worth every penny. We were sad when it was time to kayak back.
Review provided by Viator
Vinh_m
May 27, 2024
A true gem with nature...GLOW IN THE DARK - Quite a unique experience. The team at Puerto Rico Eco Tour was very professional, knowledgeable, and helpful. My kayak got stuck and one of the tour guides helped me pull it out from the tree roots. He noticed that we were exhausted from going against the water currently immediately hooked up his kayak to pull it with his own strength and took us back ashore. Thank you very much for your help. It was amazing to truly witness upclose this rare phenomenon. The water did glow up in the dark and was very bright. The blue color was quite amazing as you agitated the water with force. Would have been nicer if we were allowed to walk/swim in the water to better immerse ourselves with nature and GLOW IN THE DARK!
Review provided by Viator
Vasso_d
May 22, 2024
Stars in our hands - Incredible experience, when you dipped your hand in the water it looked like you were holding stars or little glittering diamonds! The tour guides were friendly and helpful. The bus driver was nice but scared us a bit with his driving. Wear lots of bug spray. There were so many bugs at night! Overall though, so happy we did this!
Review provided by Viator
Scott_d
May 20, 2024
Family fun. - A mesmerizing paddle through the mangroves under darkness to the bay with the bioluminescence show. The tour finished off with a heavy tropical shower. Great fun.
Review provided by Viator
Elizabeth_m
May 20, 2024
Best nighttime excursion - We had a fantastic time with Manolo- he was very knowledgeable and entertaining - it was such a memorable experience for me and my kids!
Review provided by Viator
Hayley_v
Jun 4, 2024
Cool experience! - The trip to see the bio bay was worth it. The waters lit up very well and it was a unique experience. The trip to the bay was a little confusing. There was not much instruction and we did not know what to expect. Paddling in the dark through a mangrove channel was challenging. We did not know where we were going or how long the trip was, so just be open to do your best, follow along, and ask questions ahead of time!
Review provided by Viator
P3071sxbrittanyc
Jun 7, 2024
Terrible experience - The worst excursion I’ve ever done! My husband and I spent over $200 to get yelled at and crashed into by other kayaks every few minutes, we did not feel our money was well spent. We did see the bioluminescence without the tarp, and it was very beautiful which is why I give the tour 2 stars instead of 1. However, the rest of the tour was chaotic, disorganized and stressful. It should have been mentioned before booking the tour that kayaking experience WAS necessary, a simple 5-minute demonstration was not enough. When I heard that they wanted 25+ kayaks to row in a straight line I already had a feeling that this was going to be a disaster. We spent 30 minutes being crashed into by multiple kayaks and getting yelled at to paddle faster. One of the staff members kept yelling at me for the way I was turning the direction of my kayak (which I have been doing for many years), meanwhile I was trying to turn the boat and slow us down to prevent us from hitting the kayak in front of us. My husband was able to understand the tour guides as they said rude things about each other and the kayakers in Spanish. By the time we got to see the bioluminescence I was so frustrated it was hard to really enjoy the moment. On the way back, we ended up crashing into another kayak who made a dead stop and ended up turning our boat around. The tour guides who were berating us on the way to the bay were suddenly nowhere to be found on the way back when we actually needed help. Luckily, we ended up being able to turn ourselves around and proceeded the rest of the way. This is a tourist trap and money grab. The company and staff do not care about the customer’s experience at all, they just want to book as many people as possible to make their money. Do not book this tour, save your money and plan something else, we wish we did!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Christine_c
Jun 8, 2024
Read before buying - I was extremely disappointed with this excursion. When we arrived at our destination we stood around for at least a half an hour without an explanation. Finally my daughter asked why we were waiting and we were told we had to wait for another tour group to finish. The guides explained how to paddle and to follow the yellow rings that were on the front and back of the kayaks. It was so dark we were not able to see all the hanging branches or even the sides of the canal area. People including myself were running into the walls of the canal area directly. Many people were hitting our kayak. It was impossible to see the luminating water because we were too worried about steering our kayaks so we wouldn't get hurt. I got hit in the arm and head with branches several times. The guy in my kayak got hit in his eye glasses and almost lost his glasses. Both of us had been kayaking many times so we were not weak paddlers. By the time we got to our destination we were there for 15 minutes and told we could splash the water or put our feet in the water. We were explained the scientific reasoning of the bioluminous area at then showed star constellations with a laser light. The paddle back was worse because a group with red rings kept plowing into us and it was extremely difficult to get the group into a single file line. It was not enjoyable. I never write negative reviews but I feel like I need to be honest. I don't want other people to waste their hard earned money on this tour like I did. When we all got out of our kayaks 1 woman had a bleeding cut by her eye. I won't speak for others but most people were relieved to be back on land. I booked this tour through Viator which I have used in the past and always had good results until now. Viator is too good of a tour group to associate with inferior tour groups.
Review provided by Viator
Aisaacmx
May 26, 2024
A Bioluminescence Tour That Missed the Glow - After participation in a bioluminescence kayaking tour in Fajardo on May 23rd, I was profoundly disappointed. Tour operators Manolo and Thalia's jovial facade quickly turned to rudeness and insensitivity, openly belittling less skilled kayakers instead of providing support and instruction. This not only made learning difficult but also compromised safety due to their often inaudible instructions and unclear guidance. It was evident that their primary focus was rushing through the tour to maximize profit, not enhancing the customer experience or ensuring understanding and enjoyment of the bioluminescence phenomenon. This lack of professionalism and customer care significantly detracted from the overall adventure. I urge the tour company to reevaluate their staff training and prioritize genuine customer service to prevent future clients from having such a negative experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
June 2024
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