About Bioluminescent Bay

Winter Check-In Time (Dec-Feb): 6:00 P.M
All Other Days: 6:30 P.M

The bioluminescent bay in La Parguera is a natural phenomenon unlike any other. Sometimes called the ‘phosphorescent bay’ this natural bay is home to year-round luminescence and is one of only seven of it’s kind in the world. Puerto Rico is home to a total of three bio-bays or bio-lagoons and taking a bio-bay tour in Puerto Rico is a true vacation experience that cannot be missed. We offer two bio-bay tours in Parguera here with our staff at Paradise, one option with a sunset snorkel for a full five hours of fun on the water, and another shorter tour specifically to the bay. Our bioluminescent bay tours are a boat tour combined with snorkeling. The bioluminescent bay in La Parguera is the only bay in Puerto Rico where swimming is allowed and it adds to the true magical experience of the bay tour. On our bio-lagoon trips you will be provided with snorkel gear so you can dive under the water and swim amongst the glittering organisms. We also include a tasty light dinner of homemade empanadillas, beer and soda prior to your trip, as well as a vast resource of knowledge about the local bio-bay and the natural eco-system here in Parguera.

Puerto Rico Bioluminescent Bay FAQ’s

What exactly is a bioluminescent bay?
It’s probably one of the most frequent questions we get asked. Bioluminescence is essentially the natural production of life by a natural organism. It occurs when light is emitted during a delicate chemical reaction inside the organism. Fire-flys are an example of land-based bioluminescence, although most people associate the phenomenon with the ocean.

A wide variety of sea creatures can emit bioluminescence and may do so at varying points in their life. Sharks, jellyfish, plankton and other bacteria are the most common causes of bioluminescence in the ocean. Our bio-bay here in La Parguera is lit by small organisms called Dinoflagelles. These micro-organism emit bioluminescence when they are disturbed. The luminescence is a small white or light green sparkel that can be seen in the dark. When you swim in the bio-bay in La Parguera, you disturb these small Dinoflagettes, thus creating the effect. Some scientists believe the bioluminescence in these organisms may be a defense mechanism.

Bioluminescnce in the ocean can occur at varying points and for many different reasons. If you’ve ever heard of a ‘red tide’ it refers to a night or a season in which luminescnce can be seen in the ocean in certain areas. The thing that is unique about the bio-bays in Puerto Rico is that they have a bioluminescnce year-round. You can always go to these same bays and find the luminescnce which is a great rarity.

Bio-bay tours in Puerto Rico allow you to experience this natural phenomenon that you can get very few places in the world. Join us for a bio-bay tour in Parguera and let us share this magical world with you!