A highlight of our recent vacation in Puerto Rico was a nighttime excursion kayaking into Laguna Grande near Fajardo to experience the blueish blowing effect of bioluminescent plankton thriving in the water (read more here about why Laguna Grande is ideal for plankton and year-round bioluminescence). One of three bio-bays in Puerto Rico, Laguna Grande is closest in proximity to San Juan.
Planning Ahead
While we made a reservation with Eco Adventures, we discovered many outfitters located near the mouth of the channel leading into the bay. More important than individual outfitter, perhaps, is consulting a moon calendar and selecting the night with the least moonlight (the darker the sky, the brighter the bioluminescence to the eye).
What to Expect
If you have an 8pm departure time, arrive early enough in Fajardo to enjoy a meal at one of the many seaside restaurants within walking distance of the checkpoint. There’s also public parking here as well as a quaint park with pirate-themed playground and clean public restrooms.
Arrive early to enjoy a meal at a seaside restaurant in Fajardo.
Paddling just over a mile to Laguna Grande (2.4 miles round trip) in a double kayak in total darkness was exciting, exhausting, and exhilarating. If you have never canoed or kayaked before, communication with your partner is key to maintaining your relationship. In general, the front person propels the boat and the back person controls its direction.
Follow the same colored glowing lights tied to the bow of your kayak (our group was orange) and listen for guides to direct you to to stay to the left or right of the channel as other groups and gasoline-powered guide boats travel in both directions. A few times we became entangled in brush and branches; common when you are paddling but a bit more disconcerting with little to advance notice in the dark of night.
Group photo before the kayaking excursion.
Capturing the experience with photos is a bit challenging as (1) you’re in a double kayak in the total darkness and (2) cell phones and cameras cannot capture the bioluminescent effect. Before embarking, Eco Adventures captured a group photo. Once in Laguna Grande, our guides clipped all of the kayaks together. We covered ourselves in a giant tarp to block out nearby ambient lights and experience the effect more fully. See the feature photo of our group.
Book Your Stay in Fajardo
Looking for more ideas on your Puerto Rico road trip, try a rum tour or a hike in a tropical rainforest.
Happy trails!