Vieques: Mosquito Bay Clear Kayak Bioluminescence Tour

Summary

Night kayaking in Vieques where the water glows under your paddle and fish dart like sparks

You’ll paddle through Mosquito Bay in Vieques after dark, watching blue light swirl beneath your kayak with each movement. Local guides share stories about the bay’s science and quirks while fish dart past like underwater fireworks. Includes transport from meeting point and all gear—just bring curiosity (and maybe patience for ferry schedules).

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest — I was a little skeptical when our guide said we’d see the “brightest bioluminescent bay on Earth.” I mean, you hear stuff like that everywhere, right? But then we pushed off from the rocky shore of Mosquito Bay in Vieques, our clear kayak wobbling just enough to make me laugh nervously, and I dipped my hand into the water. The light trailed behind my fingers — not like a glow stick or anything fake, but soft blue streaks that faded almost as fast as they appeared. It’s hard to describe without sounding dramatic. Even Li (who’s usually unimpressed by nature tours) just stared at his hands for a minute and whispered something in Spanish I didn’t catch.

The guides were all locals — ours was named Maribel, and she had this way of talking about dinoflagellates that made them sound like tiny superheroes. She told us how they only light up when disturbed, so every paddle stroke set off these little bursts under us. At one point a fish shot past and left a comet trail in the water. We all laughed — someone tried to film it but honestly, phones don’t do it justice. The air smelled kind of salty-sweet, mixed with whatever trees were behind us on shore (I never did figure out what those were). It’s dark out there except for the water and the occasional flashlight from another group drifting by.

I should mention: getting to Vieques isn’t as simple as showing up in San Juan and hopping over. We took the ferry from Ceiba earlier that day (book ahead — seriously), wandered around town for a bit eating pastelillos, then met up with the group near sunset. The tour includes pickup from the meeting spot to Mosquito Bay — which is good because I wouldn’t want to navigate those roads at night. The kayaks are clear so you really can see everything below you; they give you life jackets too, which made my mom happy when she saw photos later.

I still think about how quiet it got out there once everyone stopped paddling for a second — just water lapping against plastic and someone whispering “wow” somewhere behind us. If you’re even slightly curious about bioluminescent bays or just want to see something that doesn’t feel real, this is worth figuring out ferries for. Just don’t expect your photos to look like what you actually see.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Kayak in Bioluminescent Bay at Night

• Arrive at Vieques, Puerto Rico
• Prepare clear kayak for tour
• Paddle through glowing Mosquito Bay
• Observe fish lighting up water
• Learn about dinoflagellates and bioluminescence
• Complete hour-long guided kayaking tour

Top questions

How do I get to Vieques for the biobay kayaking tour?

You need to take a ferry or flight from Puerto Rico’s main island; book tickets 2-3 weeks ahead.

Is transportation included for the Mosquito Bay kayak tour?

Yes, transport from the meeting point in Vieques to Mosquito Bay and back is included.

What time does the last ferry leave Vieques after the tour?

On weekdays it’s 9:30pm; weekends it’s 9pm—first tour guests can catch it back.

Are clear kayaks provided on this bioluminescent bay tour?

Yes, fully transparent kayaks are provided along with paddles and life jackets.

Can infants join this Vieques kayaking experience?

Infants must sit on an adult’s lap during the kayak tour.

Is this tour suitable for travelers with limited mobility?

No, due to rocky shoreline and concrete steps it isn’t recommended for wheelchairs or strollers.

Are service animals allowed on this kayak tour?

Yes, if they can sit safely on your lap inside the kayak.

What languages do guides speak on this Mosquito Bay kayak trip?

Tours are led by guides who speak both English and Spanish.

What’s included

Your evening includes pickup from a central meeting spot in Vieques with roundtrip transport to Mosquito Bay, use of clear two-person kayaks with paddles and life jackets provided by local guides speaking English or Spanish—and plenty of time drifting through glowing waters before heading back at night.