Puerto Rico is a country known around the world for its pristine natural beauty, rich culture, and friendly locals. If you want to see all of Puerto Rico’s nature, there are plenty of tours to choose from.

However, if you want to see a part of Mother Nature that the majority of people don’t get to see, you need to check out one of the top Puerto Rico kayaking tours.

These tours will take you through the beautiful waters with bioluminescent organisms, assuring breathtaking sights and a great way to have fun in the fresh air. Let’s get started!

Best Bioluminescent Lagoon Kayak Tours

	Bio Bay Night Kayaking from San Juan	Fajardo Puerto Rico Bio Bay Kayak Tour	Fajardo Bioluminescent Lagoon Kayak Tour
Departure Point:	Pickup is included	Las Croabas Park, Fajardo	Road 987, Cabezas de San Juan, Fajardo
Departure Time:	5:30 pm	Evening	Evening
Duration:	4 hours	2 hours	3 hours
Includes:	Round-trip transportation, guided tour, kayaking lesson, life jacket, use of kayaks	Kayak and paddles, US coastguard-approved life jackets, low-intensity nighttime navigation lights, training and safety instructions	Kayaks, paddles and leashes, life-jackets (PFD’s), insect repellent, CPR and First Aid certified guides
	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking

Quick Answer: The 4 Best Bioluminescent Lagoon Kayak Tours From San Juan

1. Bio Bay Night Kayaking with Transportation from San Juan
2. Fajardo Puerto Rico Bio Bay Kayak Tour
3. Fajardo Puerto Rico Bioluminescent Lagoon Kayak or Full Moon Kayak Tour
4. Bio Bay Kayak Tour in Fajardo Puerto Rico

Be sure to see our reviews of Puerto Rico ATV tours,  El Yunque Rainforest Tours and Puerto Rico Ziplining Adventures.

Puerto Rico Kayak Tour Reviews

1. Bio Bay Night Kayaking with Transportation from San Juan

The Bio Bay Night Kayaking with Transportation from San Juan is a great time for everyone – no matter the age or experience level of the participant! With patient, friendly, and knowledgeable staff, you can expect a great time. Not only that, but you’re going to be paddling about at night, where you’ll get a completely different perspective of San Juan.

This tour takes place in the Cabezas de San Juan, which is a bioluminescent lagoon, mangroves, coral reefs, dry forests, and beaches, all surrounded by headlands. This reserve is great for all kinds of outdoor activities, though the nighttime kayaking tours are a unique experience we highly recommend.

In fact, if you’re looking for some fun activities for kids, we know you’ll love this one as it’s very interactive and will keep their minds stimulated.

With hotel pickup and drop-off services offered, the 4 hours will be focused on making sure you’re well-prepared for the tour, and spend time valuably exploring the area by kayak. The “captains” will guide your small group of kayakers, ensuring they answer any questions and fill you in with any information you may want to know.

Now, kayaking through the mangrove forest at night, is cool. However, with the bioluminescent organisms that live in the water, it’s elevated to an out-of-this-world experience you’re sure to want to do again!

Each splash of your paddle looks like an eruption of stars in the water, and is a phenomenon most people don’t have the chance of seeing.

Tour Information & Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

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2. Fajardo Puerto Rico Bio Bay Kayak Tour

Next up, we have the Fajardo: Bio Bay Kayak Tour. This 2-hour tour is a load of fun, and includes 4 guides to make sure everyone gets a personalized experience. In fact, you’ll be provided with information even before your trip to ensure everyone has a great time, too.

If you’ve never kayaked before, there’s no need to be worried as the guides will offer you instruction, safety precautions, and are there to answer any questions you may have. Of course, not everyone will 100% have the same exact experience as sky conditions will vary.

For example, if the moon is particularly bright on the night of your tour, you may not have the best visibility. However, they do a great job at making sure you still see them by using massive tarps and other tools.

You’ll start at the entrance of the bay, which is a red mangrove channel. This is a beautiful way to start out the tour, and as the water is shallow, it’s perfect for beginners to get their “sea legs”. You’ll follow the guides into the Laguna Grande, where you’ll paddle as the sun sets and the starts appear in the sky and in the water!

Once you’ve all been able to explore the glowing water and surrounding area, you’ll follow the guide back through the mangroves through the clicks and chirps of nature at night.

Tour Information & Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

Search For San Juan Experiences You May Enjoy:

3. Fajardo Bioluminescent Lagoon Kayak or Full Moon Kayak Tour

The Fajardo: Bioluminescent Lagoon Kayak or Full Moon Kayak Tour is an excellent experience. This tour will start in Las Croabas, which is a park used in both the day and night, and is a small fishing village as well. You’ll first meet up with your guide(s), where they’ll give you all necessary gear such as your double kayaks, paddles with leashes, lifejackets, and more.

We really appreciated how thorough and helpful the guides were, not only before, but throughout the entire tour. They provide a complete pre-tour training which goes through everything you may encounter and how to use their kayaks. Once everyone is on the same page, you’ll head through the mangrove channel and into the Laguna Grande.

This channel paddle lasts around 15 minutes, and you’ll make various stops so your guide can tell you about the ecosystem there, as well as any other interesting stories or commentary. If you’d like, you can select the full moon kayak eco-adventure, which is available only when a full moon is out. This tour is a bit more exclusive, with very few people partaking in them at one time.

The double kayaks are nice, because you’ll have a partner to experience everything with, and someone who will help with the paddling portion.

You’ll see the water naturally illuminated by the moon, along with the “stars” of the show: the bioluminescent organisms. Combine all that, with the sounds of the animals in the ecosystems surrounding you, and you have a fairytale-like adventure you’re sure to do again.

Tour Information & Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

4. Bio Bay Kayak Tour in Fajardo Puerto Rico

Last but certainly not least, is the 2-hour Bio Bay Kayak Tour in Fajardo Puerto Rico. With the double kayaks including backrests, you can rest assured that you’ll be comfy and casual while exploring this amazing area. As you’re going to be covering quite a good distance, the double kayaks are a massive help and make this possible for those who aren’t already experienced kayakers.

Before you get started, your professional eco guides will offer a kayaking lesson and instructions on how to remain safe always. The water is quite shallow in most areas, which makes it more appealing for those a bit nervous about deep water.

Make sure you take advantage of their complimentary, eco-friendly insect repellent because you’ll certainly need it on the water at this time of night.

Paddle through the beautiful mangrove channels while heading to Laguna Grande. There, you’ll get to see the Pyrodinium Bahamense. These tiny plankton are able to produce natural light, especially when touched. It’s absolutely fascinating to experience this up close and personal!

Meanwhile, your guides will tell you all about them, the reserve’s history and current state, constellations, and much more.

Oh, and they do include some complimentary snacks so you’ll be fully taken care of and satisfied while you’re out adventuring around! You almost definitely are going to break a sweat, so you may get hungry from burning all those calories!

Tour Information & Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

Puerto Rico Travel Guide

Getting There –

By far the easiest way to get to Puerto Rico is to fly, as it’s an island (rather, comprised of various). However, if you’re coming from the Dominican Republic or Virgin Islands, you can head over by ferry. PR’s main airport is Luis Muñoz International Airport/San Juan Airport (SJU), located in Carolina.

With various nonstop flights from the US every day, you’ll find the most affordable ones are those departing from gateway cities located in the south and east of the US. This makes sense, as it’s closer to the island. Miami and New York are the most common departure airports, though you’ll find flights through all major US carriers such as US Airways, JetBlue, and Continental.

Getting Around –

San Juan is a very easy city to move around in. The most “touristy” areas are perfect for walking, and we found it overall quite a safe city to do so in. In fact, you could realistically walk for the entirety of your stay in the city, depending on what you want to see.

Walking – If you really want to get to know the city, walking is the best way to do it. If you’re in Old San Juan, you’ll find the hottest attractions all within 5 or so blocks. Condado, Isla Verde, and Ocean Park are all great options as well, and here you can walk to beaches, restaurants, and some of the best shopping spots.

Rental Car – We personally recommend renting a car for at least a day, so you can check out beaches and other parts of the island not within walking distance. However, as you can see by the tours on our guide, there are many situations where transportation comes included in the tour price. Driving here is pretty intuitive and not much different from driving in most cities in the US.

Trolley – Another plus goes to Old San Juan, for having their free trolley service. This service will transport you with style, to and from the top attractions in this part of the city. Running from 7am to 7pm during the week and 9am to 7pm on the weekend, it’s a nice alternative if you don’t feel like walking.

Taxi – Taxis are of course an option, and a more convenient one if you don’t want to hassle with having to find parking with a rental car. You’ll find these taxis lined up outside the airport, near hotels, and most main tourist attractions.

Bike – With the amazing weather San Juan has the vast majority of the year, why not get some fresh air and bike? The city has created designated bike lanes which are really fun to use along the beach.

ATV – These fun to drive vehicles can get you anywhere you want to go on the island. Be sure to do an ATV tour of of the backcountry. See sights few tourists get to see!

Where to Stay –

With so many great neighborhoods to stay in, it can be hard to decide which one is right for you.

Old San Juan – Old San Juan is our personal favorite, and is the top in terms of sightseeing. Almost all of the top tourist attractions are located here, such as the San Juan Bautista Catedral, Puerta de San Juan, La Fortaleza, Castillo de San Cristobal, El Morro, Paseo De La Princesa, and much more. Not only that, but you have one of the best beaches, upscale dining spots, and fun bars. Nightlife here is practically incomparable to anywhere else on the island.

Condado – If you’re going with the entire family, Condado is probably the best spot. It’s very close to some of the best beaches in the country, with plenty of outdoor activities, restaurants, and more. A good portion of the hotels found here are more “luxurious” with rooftop terraces, pools, spas, and an ocean view from your room.

Ocean Park – If your main reason for going to San Juan is the tropical vibes and beaches, then Ocean Park may be where you want to stay. The beach is within walking distance and very close to Condado and Isla Verde. However, you’ll definitely need to get a taxi or other form of transporation to get to Old San Juan. This is a “younger” area with plenty of nightlife and exciting bars to explore.

Isla Verde – Are you looking to get away to San Juan for a romantic vacation? If so, then Isla Verde is a great option. There are plenty of charming hotels, fine dining restaurants, bustling nightclubs, and more. We recommend starting off the morning with a romantic stroll down the beach!

Restaurants and Eating Out –

You can find just about any type of cuisine in San Juan, as it is a cosmopolitan city. It all depends on what you’re looking for.

Fine Dining – Marmalade is a top option if you want to go upscale. French, Caribbean, and Spanish flavors are all combined here. With modern trends and interesting visions, you’re sure to try something new here. 1919 is sophisticated seafood, from passionfruit curd to coconut ganache, this beachfront restaurant is supremely romantic and high-class.

Local – You simply can’t visit San Juan without trying the local cuisine. Hecho en Casa or “homemade” is definitely aptly-named. The family-owned spot prides themselves on their comida criolla that the country is known for. As everything is sourced locally, the flavors are rich and pure.

La Casita Blanca is another authentic, traditional restaurant that has a menu which changes every day with 10-12 dishes posted on a whiteboard. However, you can’t get more authentic than a chinchorro. These are little food “kiosks” that simply offer the best-tasting, traditional dishes in the city.

International – We love the way they’ve managed to combine Asian and Creole flavors in the restaurant, Shibo. We love their sushi bar as well, with ultra-fresh fish and fusion cocktails like the sake sangria! If you’re in the mood for some tacos, head on over to Acapulco Taqueria Mexicana. The tacos de pollo al pastor and the chilaquiles are our favorites!

Nightlife and Entertainment –

The vibrant nightlife found here is never-ending, between casinos, nightclubs, lounges, and more.

Old San Juan – As we mentioned previously, Old San Juan is an idyllic spot for nightlife. Just walking around at night is full of music, smiling faces, and a general liveliness. The wrought iron lanterns illuminate the cobblestone streets, offering a more romantic vibe. Salsa, flamenco, and the smells of delicious food fill the air.

Try heading to South Fortaleza, San Sebastian, or Calle del Cristo for the best bar and food options. However, you’ll also find local artists, live music, and kiosks dotting this area.

New City – This area consists of Condado, Ocean Park, and Isla Verde/Carolina. While Old San Juan tends to be a bit more “old-school” and laidback with their nightlife, these districts are filled with trendy hotspots, casinos, nightclubs, and generally more flashiness. Isla Verde Avenue is lined with fun places, such as the upbeat Brava nightclub or Chico Cabaret at Fairmont El San Juan Hotel.

West Coast – Perhaps you’re the kind of person who wants to keep their swimsuit and flipflops on the entire trip. If so, then the west coast is the place for you. Rincon features some of the best beachfront bars in the country. Tamboo Bar offers unmatched beach views and everyone is so nice here.

Bonus – Try out kayaking at night in the Laguna del Condado! If you prefer you can also paddleboard! With LED lights attached, you’ll have fun with the rest of your small group and see the bright city lights reflecting off the blue waters as you paddle the night away.

Weather –

San Juan’s climate really doesn’t vary a whole lot throughout the year. For example, the temperatures tend to always stay between 72 degrees and 89 degrees Fahrenheit. You won’t often find it hotter or colder than that.

As they are a bunch of islands, it can be pretty humid throughout almost the entire year. From the beginning of June to the end of August, it can also get relatively windy, too. The wetter season is from April 24^th to December 2^nd, which isn’t really the best time to go. In fact, the best time to visit San Juan is from early December to mid-April. The weather during this time of year is sunny, warm, and not windy or rainy.

Attractions –

 San Juan has a very interesting history, and it’s something that we highly recommend exploring. There are various castles and forts that are not only impressive visually, but inside as well. Castillo San Cristobal is over 500 years old, and is actually the biggest Spanish fort in the “New World”. Castillo San Felipe del Morro or “El Morro” is a whopping 6 levels tall!

Make sure to check out El Cuartel de Ballaja, after trekking through El Morro. Built between 1854 and 1864 as a way to house Spanish soldiers and their families, it’s a museum, café, restaurant, dance school, and offices today.

If you happen to be staying in Condado, stop by Fortin Geronimo which is a small yet very interesting fort located inside of Caribe Hilton. Built in the 17^th century, it now risks falling into the ocean so this may be the only chance you get to see it.

Other Notable Pieces of Architecture – La Fortaleza/Palacio Santa Catalina and Casa Blanca were the first buildings built in the city, which are obviously very important and very beautiful. Today, the country’s governor resides in the Palacio Santa Catalina. Casa Blanca was originally created to be the home of Ponce de Leon, the first governor of Puerto Rico. Today, we recommend taking a self-guided tour of the gorgeous gardens and inside the mansion.

You don’t have to be religious to appreciate Cathedral San Juan Bautista. As the second-oldest church in all of the Americas, it’s quite the sight to see. Not only that, but the remains of explorer Juan Ponce de Leon rest inside the cathedral.

Paseo de La Princesa – If you have some time and are looking to take a low-key stroll by yourself or with your significant other, this is an excellent option. The 19^th-century promenade goes all throughout Old San Juan, with colonial architecture, fountains, street food, and cobblestone streets and trees with views of the bay in the background.

Hang Out on The Beach – There are various beaches to choose from, and no matter where you stay, you’ll likely have a beach within walking distance. Condado Beach is very popular with families, and draws some parallels with Miami with its luxury high-rise resorts surrounding it. For a unique adventure, take a horseback riding tour on the beach or even in the rainforests!

Balneario del Escambron is another solid option, with clean sand, relatively calm waters, and is oftentimes easy to find a spot on the beach.

Museums – San Juan is a very artistic city, and their museums are some of the best places to see some of it firsthand! The Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico is the most popular, with a massive 24 exhibition galleries to see. The Puerto Rico Museum of Contemporary Art is a fine alternative, though is much newer than the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico.

For more of a history lesson, you need to see the Museo de Las Americas. Here, you’ll learn all about the history of the Americas, with 4 galleries. It’s obviously a smaller museum, but is definitely worth checking out their Indigenous America section.

Tips –

1. Make sure you keep mosquito repellent handy. You’re going to be on a tropical island in the Caribbean. As you can probably imagine, there are going to be quite a few mosquitos flying around.
2. If you’re only going to San Juan for a short period of time (like a weekend), we recommend hanging out mainly in Old San Juan. You can get around by walking everywhere in this zone, and is home to most of the notable tourist spots and general points of interest.
3. If you can leave San Juan, do check out the surrounding areas like El Yunque! Try a sailing cruise at sunset and see old San Juan bay from the water. If you want to see the underwater sights, be sure to take a snorkel tour. Puerto Rico has some fabulous reefs.

4. Try to keep an umbrella with you when in the city. While almost every month is sunny, it tends to rain quite frequently. From April to November is the rainy season, and from June to November there is a hurricane season.

5. Puerto Rico uses the US dollar, and you don’t need your US passport. That’s right, with PR’s political status, if you’re a US citizen you can travel to and from PR with just your license! If you’re not a US citizen, it’ll be just like you’re traveling to the US – whatever you need to enter the United States is what you’ll need in Puerto Rico.