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La Parguera Glowing Bioluminescent Bay Boat Tour from San Juan

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San Juan, Caribbean
La Parguera Glowing Bioluminescent Bay Boat Tour from San Juan
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La Parguera Glowing Bioluminescent Bay Boat Tour from San Juan
Departure area
Floating homes you will pass by during the boat ride
First stop - visit a natural cay
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From $211.53

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Number of travelers
1 Adult2 Adults3 Adults4 Adults5 Adults6 Adults7 Adults8 Adults9 Adults10 Adults11 Adults12 Adults13 Adults14 Adults
Free cancellation
Up to 24 hours in advance. Learn more
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Safety measures
icon8 hours  (Approx.)
Hotel pickup offered
Mobile ticket
iconOffered in: English and 1 more
Good for avoiding crowds

Overview

Swim in the bioluminescent bay at La Parguera during this 8-hour tour from San Juan. Learn about this natural phenomenon through your guide's informative commentary during a short boat trip through the mangrove forests on the way to the bay. You will have the opportunity to swim in the water after dark, surrounded by tiny, harmless dinoflagellates that light up with the disturbance of the water. Round-trip transportation from selected areas in San Juan is included.
  • 8-hour tour to the La Parguera bioluminescent bay from San Juan
  • Swim in a secluded bay lit up by microscopic organisms
  • Learn about dinoflagellates, the tiny, harmless creatures that cause this natural phenomenon
  • Pickup and drop-off from most San Juan hotels included
  • Appetizers from a local restaurant are available for purchase
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From $211.53

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Complimentary pickup and drop-off in selected areas of San Juan (Old San Juan, Condado and Isla Verde locations and touristic zones)
Certified Guide
Appetizers at La Parguera (vegetarian option available, please notify)
Bottles of water and local beer at the boat
Additional food and drinks
Gratuity
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2:30 PM

Please arrive 30 minutes before your selected start time for pickup. Your operator can coordinate exact time and location.

Complimentary pick up in designated areas of San Juan: Old San Juan, Condado, Isla Verde, Miramar,Ocean Park and Calle Loiza. Exact pick up time will be provided the day prior to the tour.
Begin your evening excursion with pickup at your San Juan hotel. Board a tour vehicle with your small group of fellow adventurers and travel to La Parguera, a small fishing village in southwestern Puerto Rico. The bioluminescent bay located there is the only one in Puerto Rico that allows swimming and snorkeling. 

Arrive in La Parguera and listen to a short introduction to the natural phenomenon by your local guide. After the sun sets, board a boat for the 25-minute ride through the mangrove swamps to the bioluminescent bay. Once you reach the bay, you will have the opportunity to swim. Your swimming disturbs the glowing dinoflagellates, microscopic creatures that give off a glowing light, creating an otherworldly effect. Spend 30 to 45 minutes marveling at this strange, lovely light show before heading back to the tour center. 

Board your transportation back to San Juan for hotel drop-off. 
Itinerary
Stop At:  
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 about 2 hrs (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.
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Duration: 2 hours 
Admission Ticket Included
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • May be operated by a multilingual guide
  • Minimum numbers apply. Cancellation after confirmation is possible if there are not enough guests to meet requirements. If this occurs you can choose between an alternative tour 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.
  • Complimentary car seats or booster seats available upon request (subject to availability).
  • If planning to swim: follow preservation instructions, wear bathing suit, bring a towel and a change of clothes. Rash guard is also recommended as we may encounter jellyfish.
  • Total activity duration of 8 hours include driving time and stop for appetizers.
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • 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.
  • Minimum amount of 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.
  • You are more than welcome to bring your own snorkeling equipment.
  • Most travelers can participate
  • 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.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travelers
  • OPERATED BY Bespoke Lifestyle Management
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Learn more about cancellations.

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What is the policy on face masks and attendee health during La Parguera Glowing Bioluminescent Bay Boat Tour from San Juan?
A:The policies on face masks and attendee health are:

  • Face masks required for travelers in public areas
  • Face masks required for guides in public areas
  • Face masks provided for travelers
  • Temperature checks for travelers upon arrival
See all safety measures taken by La Parguera Glowing Bioluminescent Bay Boat Tour from San Juan.
Q:
What is the policy on sanitization during La Parguera Glowing Bioluminescent Bay Boat Tour from San Juan?
A:The policies on sanitization are:

  • Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
  • Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
  • Gear/equipment sanitized between use
  • Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
See all safety measures taken by La Parguera Glowing Bioluminescent Bay Boat Tour from San Juan.
Q:
What is the social distancing policy during La Parguera Glowing Bioluminescent Bay Boat Tour from San Juan?
A:The policies on social distancing are:

  • Social distancing enforced throughout experience
  • Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
See all safety measures taken by La Parguera Glowing Bioluminescent Bay Boat Tour from San Juan.
Q:
What measures are being taken to ensure staff health & safety during La Parguera Glowing Bioluminescent Bay Boat Tour from San Juan?
A:The policies on staff health & safety are:

  • Guides required to regularly wash hands
  • Regular temperature checks for staff
  • Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
See all safety measures taken by La Parguera Glowing Bioluminescent Bay Boat Tour from San Juan.

Traveler Photos

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Traveler Tips

  • "Its impossible to capture it with mobile phones or regular lenses, so don't bother trying to take a picture and just enjoy the experience." See review
  • "Bring wet wipes if you need to "wash off" the salt water (honestly we didn't care, we sat on our towels during the drive back and showered after)." See review

Reviews

4.5
star-4.5
88 Reviews
5 stars
66
4 stars
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4

Reviews by Viator travelers

Showing 1-10 of 88 reviews
star-4
Picture is misleading,...
Kelley_R
, Oct 2021
Picture is misleading, but still an awesome time! Looked like little fireflies in the water. So cool!
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star-1
Not worth it
Taylor_S
, Sep 2021
Our original tour was canceled because not enough people signed up, we got routed to this company's kayak tour instead. Bus was okay, but very boring. No history or energy, as well as no official plans. No true bathroom was established when we arrived to the destination and had to rough it in the very smelly public park bathroom. Tour guides were experienced, but seemed uninterested. Felt like the tour was ran by frat guys. The ride out was very rough. Once we arrived at the bay, it was very hard to see the glow, nothing like the pictures. The ride back felt dangerous as it was dark and other groups didn't have lights on the boat. Overall very intense and underwhelming. We saw bad reviews, but figured it was worth the try. However; my warning to you all is to not go.
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star-3
Not worth time and cost
kamlesh_t
, Sep 2021
Drive through the middle of the state from end to other was great. Our guide was really good and informative and brought us back safely Did not have the same experience as shown on the website for 8 hours.
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star-3
Beautiful to experience but I think it would beneficial to have a step stool to step in the van esp for us older adults.
Nick_M
, Aug 2021
Listening to rap music for 5 hrs round trip! Was inconsiderate and it was suppose to be an English speaking tour music should had been in English more suited to the passengers. Did not enjoy that at all😞
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star-5
Bioluminescence tour
Angela_F
, Aug 2021
It was an amazing experience that pictures can not show! It looked like pixie dust off your fingers. Our guide and boat captain were very detailed and had tons of drinks and food available. I would highly recommend this trip for a once in a lifetime experience!
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star-5
Magical experience! Hector and Felix were awesome!!
TuAnh_L
, Aug 2021
We loved everything about the trip and would highly recommend it to everyone! Felix was the best driver/tourguide/host we've ever met. He was funny, enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the destination. We also met Hector, the captain, who was friendly and hilarious. Together, Hector and Felix took care of us throughout the trip, found the best spots for us to swim in and made sure we were having fun the whole time. We never felt being rushed being underwater and playing with the bioluminescence (which was so magical!). It was a wonderfully smooth and enjoyable experience that we will never forget!
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star-5
Highly recommend
Emilie
, Aug 2021
It’s was an awesome experience. You’re not able to catch anything on camera but the memories will always last. Hector, he was our Captain, he sang a little bit, educated us, he was awesome. Our tour guide Felix, he was by far the best person I’ve encountered. He made all of us feel like a real family. Pointed things out while driving to the bay. We laughed, danced, explored. It was truly amazing. I would totally do this again with the same people! (Bring goggles for an even better sight)
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star-5
A magical experience!
Catherine_F
, Aug 2021
The bio bay was a really magical experience! I felt very powerful with stars shooting out of my fingers! And the sky was full of stars! Before the bio bay, we went on a nice swim and a kind of party area that was fun. The temperature of the water was perfect. It was so much fun I would definitely do it again and I highly recommend it!
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star-1
Canceled Due to Tropical Storm
Nathalie
, Aug 2021
There was a tropical storm in Puerto Rico that day, and our trip was canceled. The guide told me that I could either reschedule or get a refund; I was leaving on their next tour date. I requested a refund, and am waiting for my refund....$211 was paid...They canceled at 10:15 am, I was driving, and got caught driving in the storm, in both directions. I am a native New Yorker...I can now say that my tour, was driving in a tropical storm...box checked.
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star-4
Nice activity
Eva_M
, Aug 2021
Our guide Felix was great. Super friendly! The bioluminescent water was fun! Do not expect to see what you see in pictures though! A good description was tinker bell. You have to be in the water to really see it. I would not say it’s incredible but I’m glad I did it. The Mercedes van was pretty comfortable. Good AC. Felix was great in that he let an extra large passenger sit in the front.
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