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:
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.
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.
They call this tour the best of both worlds.
At 4:00 PM, they take you to snorkel some of the best shallow reefs in Parguera. A PADI professional will accompany you on the trip to ensure your safety.
At 6:00, they will serve you Puerto Rican empanadas and your choice of soda or local beer. After you have eaten, they will take you on a boat to the bioluminescent bay.
At the bio bay, they will provide you with a mask and a snorkel.
This tour lasts half an hour and allows you to experience bioluminescence with an underwater view.
You can book this tour with Paradise Scuba Snorkeling PR.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 – All You Need To Know.
Writer at PuertoRico.com. I was born in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. I’m passionate about Puerto Rican history and culture. I live on the west coast of Puerto Rico, and host an Airbnb for tourists. I also coordinate tours and concierge services for tourists. I authored “Eat Like A Local, Puerto Rico”, and have contributed to blogs and magazines with articles about discovering and enjoying what Puerto Rico has to offer.
