Puerto Rico has three bioluminescent bays.
La Parguera Bioluminescent Bay is the only one you are allowed to swim in.
I first visited this bio bay when I was a child, and I have taken these tours at least a dozen times since.
Below are the 6 best tours in La Parguera — browse La Parguera and Lajas tours.
1. Glass bottom catamaran tour
As the name says, this is a catamaran with a glass bottom.
On this tour, you don’t get to swim in the bioluminescent bay.
When you arrive at the bioluminescent bay, the captain briefly explains the bio bay. Then, they collect a bucket of water, and you can agitate the water with your hands to activate the bioluminescent organisms.
After that, they send some crew members to swim under the catamaran. As the crew members agitate their arms and legs, you can see how the water starts to illuminate through the glass bottom.
This tour is excellent and inexpensive, perfect for the elderly and younger family members.
You can book this tour with the Fondo de Cristal Tour.
2. Bio bay swimming tour
La Parguera Bioluminescent Bay is the only bio bay in Puerto Rico where you are allowed to swim.
Some tours allow you to get in the water and activate the bioluminescence yourself by moving in the water.
The tour operator will take you on a boat to La Parguera’s Bioluminescent Bay.
You will get a brief explanation of what makes the water glow, and then you will swim in the bio bay, spending about an hour in the water.
This tour is physically demanding, but if you can swim, I highly recommend it.
To book a swimming tour in the bay, visit Parguera Eco Tours.
3. Snorkeling and bioluminescent bay tour
They call this tour the best of both worlds.
Paradise Scuba’s current offering is a Sunset Biobay Cruise (not the older 4 p.m. reef-snorkel format). Check-in is at 5:00 p.m. from October through March and 5:30 p.m. from April through September at their shop on Road 304 km 3.2 in La Parguera. Adults are $85 and children 5 and under are $50 (operator prices as of October 2026).
Once aboard, they serve chicken or veggie empanadas with water, soda or beer, then cruise through the mangroves to the Cayo Caracoles sandbar before continuing to the bioluminescent bay. Guests who can swim get about 30 minutes in the water at the bay; children 5 and under must stay on board with an adult. The outing lasts about 2 to 2.5 hours.
Book directly with Paradise Scuba & Snorkeling and confirm the season’s check-in time before you go.
4. Nightime bio bay kayak tour
If you like kayaking, this is the tour for you.
On this tour, they take you to the bioluminescent area on one of the company’s vessels, towing the kayaks with their boat.
The tour operators will provide you with a life vest, a glow stick, and a sound device.
You will be allowed to go in the water and swim in the bioluminescent bay. These tours take two hours from start to finish.
Large families or groups should call in advance for scheduling purposes.
To book this tour, go to the Parguera Water Sports website.
5. Private bioluminescence tour
Do you want to experience La Parguera’s bio bay more intimately?
In that case, this tour is the right one for you.
This tour has a six-passenger maximum. The tour operator will take you to bio bay in a 19-foot boat. You are allowed to swim so you can experience it firsthand.
Tours use a skiff which is a shallow, flat-bottomed open boat with a sharp bow and square stern.
The US Coast Guard regulates all marine vessels, and they have the following regulations:
The maximum weight the boat can carry is 1,400 pounds. The ladder to get in and out of the boat might not hold more than 250 lbs.
For more information about booking this more intimate tour, contact Alelí Tours.
6. La Parguera bio bay tour from San Juan
Do you want to go to the bio bay from San Juan but don’t want to drive 5 hours round trip?
Then a tour from San Juan to La Parguera is suitable for you.
These tours take care of everything. They will pick you up at your hotel and drive you to La Parguera. Once you arrive, you will get appetizers.
You will then board a private boat that will take you to see the floating homes and the mangrove keys at La Parguera.
After sunset, they will take you to the bio bay.
You will get bottles of water and local beers on the boat. On the bioluminescent bay, you will be allowed to swim, and as you agitate the water, it will start to glow.
After you have experienced the bio bay, they will take you back to your hotel in San Juan.
For more information, check out Bespoke Lifestyle Management (our listing).
FAQ section
Do you need to take a tour to visit La Parguera Bio Bay?
You need to book a tour to Visit La Parguera Bio Bay. A licensed tour will guarantee your safety and enjoyment of the bio bay.
Where can you buy tickets for La Parguera Bioluminescent Bay?
It is better to book the Bio Bay tour in advance. You can buy tickets from the tour operators on their websites. This article provides you with the links.
Final thoughts
La Parguera is not the best bio bay in Puerto Rico.
To learn about Puerto Rico’s other bio bays, check out our article Bioluminescent Bays Puerto Rico.
Originally published on PuertoRico.com (2022-10-24); last updated 2026-10-12.