La Parguera Glowing Bioluminescent Bay Boat Tour from San Juan
Overview
Available languages
8 hours
Mobile ticket
La Parguera, a small fishing village in Lajas has reborn in recent years. Due to its geographical location it offers one of the best preserved coral reef systems and mangrove forests in the Caribbean. Various restaurants and bars add to the local attractions. We will drive for about 2.5 hrs (bathroom stops offered), as you enjoy the lush views of the Central area that then changes to a semi-desert landscape. Upon arrival we will stop for appetizers (additional f&b costs not included).
Watch the sunset (depending on the time of the year) as we head out for a 25 minute ride thru the mangrove channels. You will have the opportunity to swim at one of it's cays, before we head out to the area where the bioluminescence happens. Your guide will explain everything you need to know about these microscopic dinoflagelates that give off heat in the form of light when disturbed. Once we reach the bay you will have the opportunity to experience this phenomenon first hand.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Minimum amount of 4 participants is required in order to operate. There is a possibility of cancellation after receiving instant confirmation if the minimum is not met. IN the event of this happening you will be offered an alternate date or full refund.
It is an approximately 2:20 hour drive from San Juan to La Parguera each way, depending on the time of day and traffic.
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.
Tour not suitable for persons with mobility issues, using wheelchair, walker or cane as you must climb into the boat from a narrow pier. If you get in the water, you must be able to climb a small boat ladder.
Children must weight 50 lbs or more in order to participate on tour, and must be notified with anticipation in order to assign a car seat.
Complimentary car seats or booster seats available upon request (subject to availability).
You are more than welcome to bring your own snorkeling equipment.
Published starting time is only an estimate. Exact pick up time will be provided the DAY PRIOR to your tour.
Total activity duration of 8 hours includes: 2:20 hr driving time each way, 2 hour tour, and stop for appetizers.
Bespoke LM Reserves the Right of Admission - If a person appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, not following instructions or causing disruptions the Guide has the right to Cancel their reservation at any moment, and No Refunds will be issued due to this.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Bottles of water and local beer at the boat
Appetizers at La Parguera (vegetarian option available, please notify)
Complimentary pickup and drop-off in selected areas of San Juan (Old San Juan, Condado and Isla Verde locations and touristic zones)
Certified Guide
Additional food and drinks
Gratuity
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
La Parguera
La Parguera, a small fishing village in Lajas has reborn as a local and international destination. Because of its geographical location it offers one of the best preserved coral reef systems and mangrove forests in the Caribbean. Various restaurants and bars add to the local attractions. We will drive for 2:15 hrs each way (bathroom stops offered along the way), as you enjoy the panoramic and lush views of the Central area that then changes to a semi-desert landscape. Upon arrival downtown we will stop for appetizers. Watch the sunset as we head out for a 25 minute ride thru the mangrove channels. You will have the opportunity to swim at one of it's cays, before we head out to the area where the bioluminescence happens. Your guide will explain everything you need to know about these microscopic dinoflagelates that give off heat in the form of light when disturbed. Once we reach the bay you will have the opportunity to swim (optional) and experience this phenomenon first hand.
Options
La Parguera Glowing Bioluminescent Bay Boat Tour from San Juan
Pickup included
Reviews
314 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
George, Our guide was...
Sara N,
Nov 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00George, Our guide was fantastic. The meal was quite good. We were able to see the bioluminescence and it sparkled!
Super fun adventure!
earthalive,
Nov 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were picked up by our friendly and knowledgeable guide Felix at 2:15pm at a San Juan hotel nearby our lodging. We were happy to ride in the comfortable and spacious sprinter van for the 2.5 hr roadtrip through the countryside. It was a fun ride with great conversation and music. We stopped at a travel center in Ponce to use the restroom and stretch our legs for a minute and then continued on to La Parguera. During our drive, Felix took our dinner order so our food would be ready to eat before the boat ride. We ate a delicious meal at a local restaurant and walked around the cute beach town for 30 min before embarking on the boat adventure. There were about 12 people on the tour plus Felix & the boat captain. We stopped at a bay to swim with the tarpon fish and watch the sunset before heading to the bioluminescent bay. We had a great time and highly recommend this tour! Felix was great to talk with and a wonderful guide!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Phenomenal Bioluminescent Bay Adventure
gcwensel,
Nov 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour was seamless—comfortable ride and perfect timing, plus a delicious meal (the garlic shrimp and grouper bites were amazing). Felix, our driver, was phenomenal—keeping everyone upbeat with stories and good vibes from start to finish. Captain Hector and Felix made us feel like family. The boat ride was smooth, the sunset stunning, and even feeding giant tarpon was a fun bonus. Jumping into the black water was a thrill—once inside, the bioluminescence was breathtaking, sparkling with every move. Truly unforgettable. Fair value for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. My advice: don’t stay on the boat. Get in the water and live the magic.
BIO Bay oh my!!
Camper31255298655,
Nov 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00WOW! What an amazing excursion, I highly recommend it. Felix our driver was great and made the long ride from San Juan fun and entertaining. Dinner at Puerto Parguera was phenomenal, highly recommend the Grouper bites or the Garlic shrimp. Then we boarding the boat and headed to the sandbar. We fed and swam with the Tarpon, Those are amazing gentle giant fish. Hector our Captain then took on another short boat ride to the Bio Bay Area. At first it was hard to see the glow, but once the boat stopped and we got ready to get into the water, that’s when the magic happened. Oh my gosh the more you moved around the brighter the glow became. I was scared to death to get into the water at night, but I’m here to say “get over it and jump in” you’ll absolutely regret it if you don’t swim in the bay It was soothing and the water was so warm. Cannot say enough good about this excursion.
BIO Bay, Oh my!!
kathiwensel,
Nov 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00WOW! This is an amazing tour. The travel from San Juan hotel to Lajas was like 2 1/2 hours but Felix is a great driver and made the journey fun and entertaining. He's our Familia now. The food at Puerto Parguera was phenomenal!!! Garlic shrimp and Mofongo was super good, and I had the Grouper bites and Mamposteao rice both were really really good. Hector our captain was wonderful, a very nice man and always wanting to ensure we were having fun and a good time. The sandbar was fun and feeding the Tarpon, was an experience to be seen with all these gentle giants swimming around you. Sunset pictures were beautiful and we even saw a small rainbow to round out the evening before heading to the Bio Bay area. BIO Bay was absolutely amazing! It's an experience everyone should have the opportunity doing in your lifetime. So beautiful, tranquil and the water was so warm and soothing. This is a little pricier excursion but so worth the time and money and will definitely do this again on our next trip to San Juan and should be one you do as well.
Great Experience
Jaimie S,
Nov 3, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This tour was the highlight of our trip! It is a long drive from San Juan to the bay, but the scenery is beautiful. We had a great meal and had plenty of time to swim in the bay and experience the bioluminescence. I highly recommend this tour and would book it again when in San Juan.
Best way to experience bioluminescence.
RhodaValdez B,
Oct 24, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This is how to experience a bioluminescent bay - swimming in it! It’s worth the money instead of kayaks and boat.
This tour was incredible!...
Jesseca D,
Aug 31, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This tour was incredible! Getting to swim in the bioluminescents was a bucket list experience. Felix, our guide was fabulous, super kind and attentive. I recommend the garlic shrimp at the restaurant. The van ride was a little snug since it was full, but the ride over was beautiful. Highly recommend.
Such a great experience!!
vnrodriguez9,
Aug 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was such a great experience. Felix our tour guide was super friendly and helpful. I feel like he went above and beyond making sure we had pictures. We always had drinks and giving us great information about Puerto Rico. The trip itself was awesome. Got to see the bay and even though I can't swim in deep water he made sure I was able to have an experience that was both safe for me and engaging. Thanks so much Felix!! Also, love that the company made sure we knew exactly where we were going to meet, the time and also texted us to triple check. I love thoroughness in a company. Would definitely do it again and recommend it to other people.
Simply Magical
Destination692469,
Aug 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Simply magical!! Tour guide was knowledgeable. We were like a kid in a candy store. A definite do over. Photos don’t do it justice.
From US$220.00
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