La Parguera: Bioluminescent Bay Boat Tour

About This Experience

An hour on the water at La Parguera with a captain doing all the work — and the operator is emphatic in its own listing that this is not a kayak tour. If paddling is the part of a bio bay trip you were dreading, or if a back, a knee or a nervous child rules a kayak out, this is the listing that solves it at $60.

You meet at Joy Tours in La Parguera, board with the captain, and run out to whichever part of the bay is showing the strongest activity that night — which is the practical advantage of a boat over a kayak here, since the captain can move to find the glow rather than paddling you to a fixed spot. Once there you can dip your hands over the side or get in and swim among it. Swimming is explicitly optional.

At 4.6 from 295 reviews it is well liked, and the hour-long format is among the shortest we cover — worth knowing if you are driving two hours from San Juan for it. There is no bathroom at the dock, children under 5 are not accepted, and the upper weight limit is 250 lb.

Highlights

• No paddling at all — a captain runs the boat and you sit
• The captain moves to wherever the bay is showing the strongest activity that night
• Get in and swim among the glow, or stay dry and use your hands over the side
• An hour on the water, with no paddle out to get through first
• Rated 4.6 out of 5 by 295 guests
• A realistic option for guests a kayak rules out on mobility or confidence grounds

What's Included

• ✓ One-hour boat tour of the La Parguera bioluminescent bay
• ✓ Licensed captain
• ✓ Life jacket for every passenger
• ✓ Time in the water to swim in the bioluminescence, if you want it
• ✓ Commentary on the bay from the captain
• ✓ On-site parking at the La Parguera dock

Not Included

• Food and beverages
• Transportation to La Parguera
• Towels
• Gratuities

What to Bring

• A towel
• Beachwear if you plan to swim
• Insect repellent
• A light layer — it gets windy on the way back

Good to Know & Caveats

• The operator states plainly in its own listing that this is not a kayak tour and that swimming is not mandatory.
• No bathroom is available at the dock.
• Children under 5 are not accepted, and guests over 250 lb (113 kg) cannot be accommodated.
• No flash photography — it spoils the darkness the whole boat needs for their eyes to adjust.
• One hour is the shortest format in this catalogue, and La Parguera is about two hours by road from San Juan.
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.

Meeting Point

Joy Tours in La Parguera, Lajas. The dock sits between two wooden houses, one painted turquoise with pink and yellow trim.