Experience the Magic of Bioluminescence in Puerto Rico

Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve – Laguna Grande Bioluminescent Lagoon

From San Juan, you can enjoy the magical experience of bioluminescence.  Local friendly and professional tour operators offer transportation from San Juan to make your experience smoother, so you don’t have to worry about the details.  If you have a car rental, you can drive to Fajardo and Lajas and add a few stops to your itinerary; we’ll go over that as well.  In this guide, we go over the main details of the bioluminescent bays with logistical details for visitors staying in San Juan.  If you’d like more detailed information about Puerto Rico’s bioluminescent bays, please visit this guide with factual and honest information. 

Bright bioluminescent lagoon and closest to San Juan

View of Laguna Grande Bioluminescent Lagoon – Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve

Laguna Grande, a bioluminescent lagoon in the town of Fajardo on the eastern part of Puerto Rico, is the most accessible from San Juan.  Several tours (see below) offer transportation from San Juan, making planning easier for you; choose from kayaking at Laguna Grande to fun combination tours that include El Yunque National Rainforest, Las Tinajas Waterfall, and the famous Luquillo Beach.

Getting to Laguna Grande from San Juan

• Tours from San Juan:  See tours below with transport from San Juan.
• Point of Departure of Tours:  Las Croabas in Fajardo.  Directions from San Juan to Las Croabas
• Driving Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Transport from San Juan:
  • You can book this transfer, offering round-trip transportation to Laguna Grande.
  • Drive with a car rental, there’s plenty of parking at Las Croabas.

Top 3 Rated Tours to Laguna Grande from San Juan

More Great Tours to Laguna Grande from San Juan

The Brightest Bioluminescent Bay in the World

The following video actually captured what it really looks like at Mosquito Bay Bioluminescent Bay in Vieques.  It is bright and magical. 

Getting to Mosquito Bay in Vieques from San Juan

Currently, there are no tours to Mosquito Bay in Vieques from San Juan.  You have a few options to get to Vieques:

• The most convenient choice if you wish to save time and money is not an issue:  Fly from San Juan Airport or Isla Grande to Vieques and stay a night or two to enjoy the best beaches.
• The second fastest and most convenient option: Book a round-trip flight from Ceiba Airport or book a one-way flight to Vieques and take the ferry back.  Book a transfer to Ceiba (see below) and back to San Juan, or take a taxi.
• The most budget-friendly option but most time-consuming from San Juan:Take the ferry to Vieques from Ceiba, and be sure to purchase round-trip tickets.  Book a transfer to Ceiba (see below) and back to San Juan, or take a taxi. 

Vieques Bioluminescent Bay Tours (From Vieques)

The least bright but more intimate experience with fewer crowds, with swimming allowed.

La Parguera Bioluminescent Bay is part of La Parguera Nature Reserve, located on the south west coast of Puerto Rico.  While the bioluminescent bay is less luminous than others in Puerto Rico, it compensates visitors with additional delights for a fun-filled day under the sun.  La Parguera boats a number of mangrove cays with crystal clear waters where you swim in shallow waters and do a little snorkeling.  The village of La Parguera is a charming and local favorite spot with restaurants, small shops, and live entertainment during weekends.    Some tours from San Juan also offer the enjoyment of Caracoles and Mata La Gata cays, where you can swim, snorkel, and float in clear waters.  Some tours allow time to enjoy traditional cuisine in the charming village.  When the skies turn dark and starry, the boat will take you to the bioluminescent bay to enjoy the show by dinoflagellates, creating an unforgettable and enchanting spectacle as you move on the water.

La Parguera is the only bioluminescent bay where you can swim.  Getting to the bioluminescent bay is effortless and the entire family can participate since the tours are by boat.

We encourage you to embark on an enchanting full-day adventure.  Although the drive takes approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes, the scenic route is worth the trip.  Once you get to Lajas and experience La Parguera, you’ll join many travelers returning to explore more of the west side.

Getting to La Parguera Bioluminescent Bay from San Juan

• Driving Time:  2-hour drive – See Directions
• Tours from San Juan:  See tours below
• On your Own: Taxis would be costly to Lajas from San Juan, we recommend you get a car rental. 

Tours to La Parguera Bioluminescent Bay from San Juan, Puerto Rico