Bioluminescent Bay Kayak Adventure from San Juan
Overview
Available languages
5 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Join this fully-guided nighttime bioluminescent bay kayak adventure. Paddle your way through the mystical mangrove channels, a 30 minutes approximate journey (each way) that will lead you to Laguna Grande.
Once inside the lagoon meet some glowing new friends, the Pyrodinium Bahamense, microscopic plankton capable of producing natural light at the touch of your hand. Explore these amazing organisms up close as the professional eco-guide takes you to discover all its secrets. Learn how this fragile and unique ecosystem maintains a perfect balance of life, and what you can do to protect such a special place.
Additional Info
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Maximum weight to participate: 230 pounds (103 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.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
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
Maximum weight to participate is 230 lbs (103 kg) per person
Quality kayaking gear and equipment (small size for children)
Commentary of the surrounding area and its flora and fauna
Kayaking orientation and instructions
Bottles of water
Complimentary pickup and drop-off in selected areas of San Juan (Old San Juan, Condado and Isla Verde locations and touristic zones). Locations outside of San Juan are subject to additional pick up fee.
Gratuities
Pickup in: Dorado, Rio Grande, Fajardo, Humacao. Meeting point option available.
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
6:15pm
Bio bay kayak adventure departs at 6:15pm
Pickup included
3:30pm Departure
Bio bay kayak adventure departs at 3:30
Pickup included
Reviews
441 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Nope
Peggy W,,Dec 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00Pics posted online were completely deceiving we were paddling into trees in complete darkness them when in area where bioluminescence was it was so minimal I would NOT recommend or do again
Unreliable, do not recommend
rachaelkX1739SE,,Dec 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00Unreliable; forced us to reschedule with 24 hours notice (claiming to have “reached out to another number” a few days prior) and provided zero goodwill when a member of our party was ill at the rescheduled time. We only worked with them to start with because of Sunday availability (that was then cancelled).
Fantastic Night Time Adventure!
Hairiskhurly,,Nov 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Lovely experience! The kayaking at night was great and the team did a fabulous job going over instructions, keeping us safe and having fun!
Beautiful
Saira T,,Oct 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00I’m not great at water sports, but this was excellent. The night sky was filled with stars and the water was glowing with every touch.
It’s OK
Mary F,,Sep 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00The tour stated it started @ 6:15pm but when the tour operator called the day before I was told our p/u time was 4:30pm!!! That was not disclosed in anything I read about in their post. This put us in a major rush with our arrival time in San Juan and p/u time. With that aside, the van used for transportation to the kayak location needs repair. The suspension leaves ALOT to be desired! Also the driver needed to tell us how long we were going to be in the van so we could go to the restroom before we started the 1.5+ drive! The kayak tour was good. The smell at the bay was very unpleasant!! They seemed a bit unorganized when we arrived but seemed to get going after a bit. Even though we did not see very much of the luminescence the experience was unique and something we would not experience anywhere else. For the price it was ok.
Fun experience
hamlin2,,Jul 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00We started our experience off by being picked up on an air conditioned bus. The driver was nice and right on time. It was an hour plus bumpy drive to and from the place where we kayaked from. When we got there we left everything we didn’t want to get wet on the bus. We got a life jacket and an orientation about how to kayak and then we waded out to the kayaks. The kayaking to the bay was really pretty and enjoyable. We got to the bay in time to see a beautiful sunset. The bioluminescence was there if you completely covered the kayak with a tarp and then moved your hand thru the water but it was a bit disappointing. Definitely not the tours fault - They said the Sargassum is killing the aquatic life that causes the bioluminescence. This would have been nice to know before we went. The kayaking back to our starting point was a challenge in the dark, but overall a fun experience. Also just FYI- there was a little store there to buy snacks, get a clear plastic phone holder lanyard before you go to keep your phone safe, bring your own toilet paper, and be warned the store front area for the kayak company has a sulfur smell.
Incredible adventure! Kayaking through a maze of trees with the moonlight being the only guide
patitay2k,,Jul 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Incredible adventure! We paddled through a maze of trees—some hosting termite colonies 🐜—as the evening deepened and moonlight became our only guide. You start the tour paddling downstream on the way back is a little harder because you are rowing against the current. The tour guides are knowledgeable are personable and ready to assist. The depth of the water in the lagoon is only 4-5' and you will be given a safety vest. I didn't find the tour 'dangerous' or 'scary'. The tour guides came up with clever workarounds to help us catch a glimpse of the bioluminescence, despite the brightness of the moon. Beautiful. There is a massive number of mosquitos we used repellent, and we got bitten anyway but the adventure is worth it. As you walk towards the kayaks you will immediately notice the hydrogen sulfide smell is bad right on the shore but as you kayak away the smell stays behind. The reason for the smell is the decaying seaweed. We recommend this tour.
Tour guides are excellent!
Alanna R,,Jul 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Is the bioluminescence in the room with us?? Lol the bio bay’s luminescence left much to be desired, but the guides, Manolo & EJ (DJ? Sorry if I misspelled your names gentlemen!) were e x c e l l e n t. So professional, kind, patient, and helpful! I went with my 14 yr old daughter, and it was her first time kayaking, and boyyy did we struggle 😅 She isn’t athletically inclined and had a hard time, so EJ was kind enough to be our Uber lol, he hitched us gave us a tow.. Overall, I’ve done it, but it wasn’t much of a spectacle to go again. And to our guides’ credit, they were very honest in voicing the mixture of sargassum (seaweed) and our moon phase (literally almost a full moon 🤦🏽♀️) as adding to the difficulty in clarity of the bioluminescence. Despite that, they came prepared with tarps to help increase visualization, which certainly helped. Transportation picked us up and dropped us off directly at our hotel, and our driver, Jason, was also very kind and made the process seamless. Truly it’s the bio bay’s fault and none of
Fun experience
Esteffani M,,Jul 8, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Really cool experience. Didn’t know what I was getting myself into. Our tour guides made everything fun and comfortable.
Yikes
Joseph G,,Jul 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00Do not go. Read the other 1 star reviews. Not worth the time or money. Good for a laugh but yikes!!!
From US$110.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
Related Experiences
Operated by Bespoke Lifestyle Management