La Parguera: Sunset and Biobay or Late Night Biobay Cruise

About This Experience

La Parguera is the only one of Puerto Rico's three bio bays where swimming is still allowed, and this is the trip that makes the most of it. You board at the dock in La Parguera, cruise past the village's famous stilt houses standing in the water, and stop first at Caracoles — the best-known sandbar in the area — to swim and watch the sun go down.

After sunset the boat moves on to the bio bay itself, and you get back into the water. Swimming through bioluminescence is a fundamentally different experience from looking at it over the side of a kayak: the glow outlines your arms and legs as you move, and the operator's own description calls it playing with pixie dust. Floaties and life jackets for swimming are provided on request, so you do not need to be a strong swimmer to get in.

At $65 for two hours this is the second most-reviewed tour in our catalogue and the best rated of the high-volume listings, at 4.8 from 570 reviews. It is also a two-hour boat trip with no bathroom on board, and reviewers consistently note that the meeting point is harder to find than the parking — look for Mareaito Charters rather than a street address. In high season the operator adds a late-night departure two hours after the sunset run, which is darker and generally better for the glow.

Highlights

• Swim in the bioluminescence — La Parguera is the only Puerto Rican bio bay where this is permitted
• A sunset stop at Caracoles, the best-known sandbar in La Parguera
• Cruise past the stilt houses that La Parguera is known for
• Floaties and swim life jackets provided on request, so non-swimmers can still get in
• Rated 4.8 out of 5 by 570 guests — the best-rated of the tours we list with more than 250 reviews
• A late-night departure runs in high season, two hours after the sunset trip

What's Included

• ✓ Two-hour boat trip with captain
• ✓ Regulation life jackets
• ✓ Swim life jackets on request
• ✓ Floaties for swimming in the bay
• ✓ Cooler with ice and water
• ✓ Sunset stop at the Caracoles sandbar

Not Included

• Towels and personal items
• Snorkelling gear
• A light jacket for the ride back, which is often windy
• Gratuities

What to Bring

• Swimwear — you will be getting in the water twice
• A towel
• A light jacket for the return leg
• Reef-safe sunscreen and insect repellent

Good to Know & Caveats

• There is no bathroom on board or at the dock. Plan accordingly for a two-hour trip.
• You must be able to climb into the boat using a two-step ladder.
• Swimming is optional, but it is the main reason to choose La Parguera over the other two bays.
• The glow here is generally dimmer than at Mosquito Bay in Vieques — La Parguera is the most accessible bio bay, not the brightest.
• The meeting point is a white house with blue trim; search for Mareaito Charters rather than a street number.
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.

Meeting Point

Mareaito Charters in La Parguera, Lajas — a white house with blue trim in front of La Casita Sea Food and Pal Agua restaurant. Parking is on site.