Learn the ins and outs of visiting one of the most popular bioluminescent bays in Puerto Rico: Mosquito Bay in Vieques Island.
If you’re planning a visit to Mosquito Bay in Puerto Rico, you’re in for a treat. It’s located on the island of Vieques, which is absolutely beautiful and mostly untouched. It’s also home to the brightest bioluminescent bay in Puerto Rico, Mosquito Bay, which is the main draw for tourists making the trek from the mainland to this outer lying island.
In this post, you’ll learn all about Mosquito Bay and what makes bioluminescent bays glow as well as how to visit bioluminescent Mosquito Bay, and how to get to Vieques Island from mainland Puerto Rico. Let’s dive in!
Disclosure:Some of the links below may be affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase.
Table of Contents
What Makes Mosquito Bay Special
Located on the island of Vieques, just off of mainland Puerto Rico, is the most popular bioluminescent bay in Puerto Rico, Mosquito Bay – also known as Bahia Bioluminiscente. This amazing body of water is actually world renown as being the world’s brightest bioluminescent bay.
Besides being the brightest bio bay in Puerto Rico, it’s also one of the least crowded due to its remote location on the small island of Vieques. Trust me, you’ll want to head over to Vieques to see this natural wonder with its glowing water!
What Makes Bio Bays Glow?
Believe it or not, the sparkling water is actually caused by a single-celled microorganism that glows by converting their internal chemical energy into light anytime they are disturbed. The light they display is actually considered a defense mechanism. These fascinating organisms are called dinoflagellates – or more specifically pyrodimium bahamense or affectionately known as “swirling fire”.
The reason that Mosquito Bay is the brightest bio bay in the world is because it has billions of them in the water. In fact, there’s roughly 700,000 dinoflagellates per gallon of water. This dense population is partially due to the curve of the bay’s opening and the surrounding mangroves which they call home.
Other Bioluminescent Bays in Puerto Rico
While Mosquito Bay is the brightest of the Puerto Rico bio bays, it is just one of three. The other two prominent bays with glowing water in Puerto Rico are:
- La Parguera Bioluminescent Bay in Lajas, PR: Visit La Parguera with a boat tour from Lajas to swim in its bioluminescent water or opt for a full day trip from San Juan.
- Laguna Grande Bioluminescent Bay in Fajardo, PR: Check out this awesome bio bay kayak tour to Laguna Grande that leaves out of Fajardo or this Laguna Grande bio bay tour that leaves from San Juan.
How to See Mosquito Bay Glow
The brightest bioluminescent bay in the world, Mosquito Bay in Puerto Rico, is worth a visit, but it does take some planning. Let’s take a look at the best time to see the water’s bright luminescence and how to plan your trip accordingly.
Best Time to See Bioluminescent Waters in Vieques
For the best visibility of the glowing waters of a bio bay, you’ll want to try and catch it on a new moon. This is when the water will glow brightest due to how dark the night sky will be. In fact, some tours don’t even run during full moons due to the difficulty of seeing the water glow against the brightness of the night sky.
For best viewing, plan to visit during the week of the new moon – just a few days on either side will really give you a treat!
Also, remember that you’ll have to plan your visit for after dark – the darker the better. This means you’ll have to spend the night in Vieques. There are no boats or flights late enough to come to Vieques as a day trip, see the bioluminescence, and return to the mainland the same day.
Where to Stay Overnight in Vieques
Fortunately, there are plenty of awesome hotels on Vieques to accommodate your overnight stay so that you can visit Puerto Rico Mosquito Bay. This will also give you time to explore the island during the day, which means enjoying the beaches and the slightly quieter way of life it offers.
The most popular area to stay on Vieques is La Esperanza. Here are the best Vieques hotels for all budgets:
- Best budget hotels in Vieques: Isla Hermosa Guesthouse | Lazy Guesthouse | Vieques Good Vibe Guesthouse
- Best mid-range hotels in Vieques: Villa Coral Guesthouse | The Vieques Guesthouse | Esperanza Inn Guesthouse
- Best luxury hotels in Vieques: Blue Horizon Boutique Resort | Finca Victoria | El Blok
Pro Tip: Make sure to also book a gulf cart or jeep in advance to get around the island! They too can sell out due to the limited supply and popularity of Vieques Island.
Best Bioluminescent Bay Tours in Vieques
Considering how popular the bioluminescent bays of Puerto Rico are, there aren’t a lot of tours running. Make sure to secure your spot in advance! My recommendation is to try and book a kayaking one as you’ll be able to have fun with the water from your kayak and with your paddle.
Check out these popular bio bay tours:
- Bioluminescent Bay Vieques Kayak Tour: Enjoy transportation from the Bio Bay entrance, a guide, and clear or semi-clear bottomed kayaks as you tour Mosquito Bay and experience its bioluminescence.
- Overnight Bio Bay Kayak Tour in Vieques Island: Choose between an early or late evening tour of Vieques BioBay. All equipment and transportation from the meeting point in Vieques is provided, along with a knowledgeable guide who will help explain the bioluminescence.
- Vieques Bioluminescent Bay Boat Tour: Relax on this boat tour of Mosquito Bay where you’ll meet in town and head via air-conditioned vehicle to a 24-foot electric catamaran.
Tips for Visiting Mosquito Bio Bay
Visiting Puerto Rico’s bioluminescent bays is an incredible experience, but there are a few things you need to know before you go so you can make the most of it.
- Visit during a new moon: As mentioned above, the best way to see the Mosquito Bay bioluminescence is to go when it is the darkest out. This means planning your trip over the new moon or within a few days on either side of it.
- Watch the weather: If the weather is not ideal, such as potential storms, tours to Mosquito Bay will be cancelled (and refunded). If you want the highest probability of seeing the bio bays in Puerto Rico, plan to spend more than one night in Vieques, or leave yourself the option of visiting one of the other PR bio bays from the mainland.
- Leave your electronics behind: Trying to capture the glow on your phone or camera will be incredibly difficult, if not impossible. If you want to try and capture it, you’ll need to come well prepared with special equipment. My recommendation? Just enjoy being in the moment and leave your camera safely at home.
- Keep your belongings dry: If you decide to take your phone or camera equipment, put it in a waterproof dry bag. This will help you keep track of all of your belongings as well as protecting them from the water onboard your kayak or boat.
- Book a tour: While technically you could try to visit Mosquito Bay on your own, the roads are dark to reach the bay and for the best viewing you’ll want to get out on the water. For this reason, I highly recommend booking a tour. They are reasonably affordable and it’s absolutely incredible to see the water glowing in the bays!
- No swimming allowed: To help with conservation efforts, you will not be able to swim in Mosquito Bay Puerto Rico. In fact, La Parguera is the only Puerto Rican bioluminescent bay that you can swim in. Because of this, La Parguera is also the least bright of the three bio bays in Puerto Rico as swimming can disrupt the fragile ecosystem dinoflagellates live in.
- Don’t wear DEET, sun screen, or hand lotion: While Vieque’s Mosquito Bay is named that for a reason, mosquito repellant with DEET can kill the bioluminescent organisms. They are very sensitive to foreign chemicals. If you must wear it, please keep your hands out of the water!
How to Get to Vieques from San Juan
In order to visit Mosquito Bay on Vieques, you’ll have to travel from mainland Puerto Rico to Vieques Island. This can be done a number of ways, taking as little as 10 minutes or just $2 one way. So if you’re short on time or money, you can still make it to Mosquito Bioluminescent Bay, you’ll just have to plan ahead.
Fly from San Juan to Vieques
One of the most convenient ways to get to Vieques from San Juan is to jump a short 25 minute flight from San Juan International Airport (SJU) or Isla Grande Airport (SIG) in San Juan to Vieques Airport (VQS).
These flights run multiple times per day and if booked in advance can run as low as $100 round trip. Check Vieques Airlink,Air Flamenco, Cape Air,and Seaborne Airlines in addition to your typical flight aggregators. They don’t all show up in the broad searches and you could save hundreds of dollars by flying one of these smaller specialized airlines.
Fly from Ceiba to Vieques
The fastest way to get to Vieques is to fly from Ceiba Airport (RVR) to Vieques Airport. The flight will only take about 10 minutes. Again, you’ll want to check out Check Vieques Airlink and Air Flamenco to find the best deals. Flights start around $90 roundtrip.
The downside of flying out of Ceiba is that you will have to get to Ceiba from San Juan. This means either renting a car in Puerto Rico and driving yourself the hour over to Ceiba or springing for a $100 each way taxi ride – ouch!
Take the Ferry from Ceiba to Vieques
The cheapest way to get to Vieques from Puerto Rico is to take the ferry from Ceiba to Vieques. It generally takes 30 minutes by ferry, but it can take 45 minutes if it’s a cargo ferry. There are multiple journeys per day, but tickets can be difficult to secure as they are limited and do sell out.
The best way to ensure you can take the ferry to Vieques is to book online in advance. Tickets only cost $2 each way for adults, and the online system will show you have many tickets are available on each ferry both online and at the box office.
If you can’t get a ferry ticket online, you can try the box office in Ceiba for last minute slots or a flight may be a better option. Again, the downside of the ferry is that you will have to travel from San Juan to Ceiba on your own via car rental or taxi.
Explore More of Puerto Rico
Visiting Mosquito Bay in Puerto Rico is a bucket list item for travelers due to it being the brightest bio bay in the world. Make sure to add it to your Puerto Rico itinerary with an overnight trip to Vieques to accommodate the visit to Mosquito Bioluminescent Bay.
Continue planning your Puerto Rico trip with these helpful resources:
- 10 Top Things to Do in San Juan for the Trip of a Lifetime
- 16 Helpful Things to Know Before Traveling to Puerto Rico
- How to Get to Culebra, Puerto Rico: 4 Key Transportation Options
- 10 Best Things to Do in Culebra, Puerto Rico
- Flamenco Beach, Puerto Rico: Everything to Know Before You Go
Like this post? Pin it.
Other posts you might like
FAQs
How to Visit Mosquito Bay: The Vieques Bioluminescent Bay? ›
To get from Puerto Rico to Mosquito Bay, travelers have multiple options: ✈️ Airplane – The first and simplest way to get to Mosquito Bay is to fly from San Juan airport to Vieques and take a bio bay tour from La Esperanza, where most tours meet.
How do I get to Mosquito bioluminescent bay? ›To get from Puerto Rico to Mosquito Bay, travelers have multiple options: ✈️ Airplane – The first and simplest way to get to Mosquito Bay is to fly from San Juan airport to Vieques and take a bio bay tour from La Esperanza, where most tours meet.
How do I get to Vieques bioluminescent bay? ›Getting to Vieques
To get to Mosquito Bay, you'll first need to take a short flight or ferry to Vieques. Flights take about 25 minutes and leave from Isla Grande airport in San Juan. Ferries take about 45 minutes and leave from Ceiba in east Puerto Rico.
Though you can visit Mosquito Bay unaccompanied, visitors suggest you spring for a guided tour of the area. Tours operate nightly and cost approximately $60 per person, depending on the company you book. In addition, do not wear bug spray that contains DEET, as it could harm the microorganisms in the bay.
When can you see bioluminescence in Mosquito Bay? ›While the bio bays have some bioluminescence year-round, the best time of the year to visit them is during the dry season, from December to mid-April. Heavy rainfall can cloud the water and make it harder to see the glow from the dinoflagellates.
Can you see bioluminescence without a tour? ›If you're staying in Lajas or the surrounding area, La Parguera offers a chance to see the bioluminescence without traveling far. While it isn't the best example of a bio bay, it's still better than not seeing one at all.
Can I drive to bioluminescent bay? ›Since cars aren't allowed on the ferry to Vieques, you must rent a car or line up a taxi ride once on the island. The short story: It's best to plan an overnight stay on the island.
Can you swim in Mosquito Bay Vieques? ›Swimming is not allowed in Mosquito Bay and Laguna Grande; you can swim and snorkel in the bay at La Parguera. Remember to plan and book your tour around the moon cycle, the darker the night, the brighter the bioluminescence. Tours are available all year-round; prices range from $45 to $135.
Can you swim in the bioluminescent bay? ›The bioluminescent bay in La Parguera is the only bay in Puerto Rico where swimming is allowed and it adds to the true magical experience of the bay tour.
How much is it to go to the bioluminescent bay in Puerto Rico? ›Most tours in La Parguera allow 40 minutes to swim in the bay. While we recommend that you take a guided tour with a licensed tour company, a handful of boat operators at the docks will negotiate a rate to take you out in the bay; around $15 per person.
Why can't you swim in Mosquito Bay? ›
As many as 200 people or more visit per night, and people have lots of chemicals on their bodies and clothes. This bay is very shallow and has little water exchange which makes for a great environment for the glowing organisms but could be disastrous to those same organisms if people continue to go into the water.
How much is Mosquito Bay? ›The cost to visit Mosquito Bay (for trips originating in Vieques) is usually around $45-$60 per person.
Can I swim in Mosquito Bay? ›Are you allowed to swim in the bioluminescent bays? “Swimming is not allowed in Mosquito Bay, but people are allowed to touch the water with their hands or splash their partner,” Velazquez shares. La Parguera is the only bio bay that allows swimming in Puerto Rico.
What month is best for bioluminescence? ›When Can I See Bioluminescence? Bioluminescence is a year-long phenomenon. In the summer months (June – September) and into Fall, we see a bioluminescence produced by a plankton called dinoflagellates. In the winter months, we see a bioluminescence produced by comb jellies.
Is Mosquito Bay always glowing? ›It's on the Guiness Book of World Records. Most bays, like the bays on the main island are seasonal, they glow more during certain months than others. However, Mosquito Bay glows year-round. The fact that the water glows with every touch is not the only incredible element during this experience.
What month is best to watch bioluminescent water? ›Summer months are usually the best time of the year to watch the glowing plankton. For best experience, you should consider going anytime between mid-May and early-October.
Can you see bioluminescence from the shore Vieques? ›Bahia bioluminescent Puerto Rico (Mosquito Bay on Vieques) is the best in terms of the brightness of bioluminescence but it is the furthest away San Juan – you'll need a bit of time to get here so it's best if you want to combine it with other things to do on Vieques.
Is it OK to touch bioluminescence? ›Bioluminescent algae can have severe effects on human health and should not be touched. Do not swim in waters containing algal blooms, no matter how beautiful they are. Direct contact could lead to skin infections or even death.
What time of day can you see bioluminescent waves? ›For those who want to try and spot the bioluminescence while it sticks around, Scripps says the displays are best viewed from a dark beach at least two hours after sunset, though visibility is not guaranteed.
Are there alligators in the bioluminescent bay? ›Don't worry, there aren't any other creatures or predators in the bioluminescent bay. There aren't any crocodiles or jellyfish.
Can you take pictures of the bioluminescent bay? ›
If you go into the biobay on an electric motor boat, position yourself near the back of the boat — the propellers create a lot of bright wake that is perfect for photos. Bring along a camera that has manual settings for the shutter speed, aperture, and ISO settings.
What do you wear on bioluminescent bay tour? ›- river sandals or water shoes.
- quick dry clothing (you might get a bit wet)
- light long pants, sleeves (mosquito protection)
- insect repellant.
- bikini bathing suits are not recommended.
La Chiva beach in Vieques is often ranked as one of the best beaches in the Caribbean.
What is special about Mosquito Bay? ›Mosquito Bay, also known as Bahía Bioluminiscente, contains an astonishing number—roughly 700,000 per gallon of water. Although they're microscopic, the effective size of the light they give off is a hundred times larger than their own bodies, and in great numbers they light up like an underwater aurora borealis.
What are 3 activities you can do at Vieques island? ›You can spend a whole day hiking, beach hopping, snorkeling, birdwatching, kayaking, paddle boarding, and horseback riding. Keep in mind that Vieques is popular for its abundance of wild horses, so inside the refuge you're likely to spot a few.
Which bioluminescent beach is the best? ›- Mission Bay. ...
- Toyama Bay, Japan. ...
- Reethi Beach, Maldives. ...
- Waitomo, New Zealand. ...
- Gippsland Lakes. ...
- Glistening Waters, Jamaica. ...
- Manasquan Beach, NJ. ...
- Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon, Florida.
Puerto Rico
Mosquito Bay is considered the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world! These bays are located on the East, West and South-West sides of Puerto Rico. The bioluminescent waters are created from dinoflagellate plankton in all three of these bays.
Travel to Mosquito Bay, found on the tiny Caribbean island of Vieques where you can experience the brightest and best-known bioluminescent bay in the world. The water boasts a high concentration of dinoflagellates- 720,000 per gallon of water to be exact.
Is Mosquito Bay better known as bioluminescent bay? ›This dazzling, trippy travel wonder is Mosquito Bay, the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world. It's on the Puerto Rican island of Vieques, seven miles off the southeast coast of Puerto Rico's main island.
Do I need a car on Vieques island? ›Do you need a car in Vieques? No, you don't need to rent a car in Vieques. Many resourceful people go to Vieques and get around the island just fine using taxis and vans that commute around the island. If you're on a tight budget, this is something you might consider.
What is unique about bioluminescence bay in Puerto Mosquito? ›
Brightest Bio Bay in the World
“The Mosquito Bioluminscent Bay on the Island of Vieques, Puerto Rico is the most bioluminescent in the World. It contains up to 160,000 microscopic dinoflagelates per liter of water.
Yes, there are sharks in Bioluminescent Bay. Small blacktiped and lemon sharks are known to be roaming around the area.
Can you swim in Bio Bay Vieques? ›The Bio bay in La Parguera is the only one in Puerto Rico where visitors can go for a swim. It adds to the enchanting experience of the tour. On bio-lagoon tours and night trips, people are provided with a snorkel gear so they can dive under the glimmering waters and swim among the sparkling micorscopic planktons.
Is Mosquito Bay full of mosquitoes? ›Beware the mosquitos. As the name suggests, this place is full of mosquitos, particularly if you go at night (which you obviously would in order to see the glowing plankton).
How do I get to Vieques ferry? ›Ferries to Vieques, Puerto Rico
Ferries run several times a day between Fajardo, Puerto Rico and Vieques. Fajardo is located 37 miles southeast of San Juan. Driving from San Juan to Fajardo takes about an hour, and cabs cost roughly $100. Ferry tickets cost $2 per person.
Mosquito Bay is one of three bioluminescent bays located in Puerto Rico. It is the brightest bio bay in Puerto Rico, and also in the world. The deepest part of the bay is around 13 feet, with most of it being around 3 feet deep.
Does Vieques have a bioluminescent bay? ›Bioluminescent Bay (aka Mosquito Bay or Puerto Mosquito) is one of Puerto Rico's three bioluminescent bays, located on the island of Vieques.
What time of year can you see bioluminescence in Puerto Rico? ›In Puerto Rico, you can enjoy bioluminescence all year round. But many travelers say that the best months to visit bioluminescent bay is from December to May because the water is more clear that makes it easier to see the light. Also, pay attention to a few points: The less light, the better the experience.
What time does bioluminescence happen? ›Bioluminescence or "the blue wave" tends to occur in middle to late summer and into the fall. It is caused/preceded by red and sometime brown tides which occur during those time periods.
Where are the 3 bioluminescent bays in Puerto Rico? ›There are three bioluminescent bays (bio bays) in Puerto Rico — Mosquito Bay in Vieques, Laguna Grande in the north-east in Fajardo, and La Parguera in the south-west in Lajas. The biobay experience is pretty neat to see — the water glows when the microorganisms in it are agitated.
Does bioluminescence happen every day? ›
However, bioluminescence is notoriously hard to predict and can happen at any time. Most places that often see this chemical reaction concur that it happens in the middle to the late summer for the majority of the time.
Does bioluminescence last all night? ›Each night-time bioluminescence tour lasts approximately two hours and is suitable for both small and large groups. However, the greater the amount of water disturbance, the greater the amount of bioluminescence visible in the water.
Is it rare to see bioluminescence? ›Bioluminescence is relatively rare on land — fireflies or glow-in-the-dark mushrooms are some common examples — but it's common in the ocean.
How long does the bioluminescence last? ›Scientists say previous events have lasted anywhere from one week to a month or more.
Do you need the moon to see bioluminescence? ›Despite bioluminescence being present all year, moonlight can sometimes affect the bioluminescence viewing experience. On nights when the moon is full and bright, the moonlight will reflect on the water, which can result in the bioluminescence appearing dimmer.
How often do the bioluminescent waves happen? ›Bioluminescence in San Diego usually happens once every few years. There have been times, however, when bioluminescence in San Diego has happened in sequential years. Though this used to be a rare occurrence, the odds of it happening are actually increasing quite rapidly because of climate change.
How do I get to bioluminescent bay Grand Cayman? ›The entrance to the bay is only a short kayak from Rum Point and takes no longer than 10 minutes. As you can see for the aerial photo, you can walk down the beach from Rum Point straight to the entrance of the bio bay. The real magic happens when you put on a mask and snorkel and get in the water.
Can you go to La Parguera without a tour? ›So, in theory, you can visit La Parguera Bioluminescent Bay without a tour if you have a boat or kayak to get into the bay. Is it recommended? No. You need to book a tour with a licensed operator to visit this bio bay.
Which bioluminescent bay is the best? ›Mosquito Bay is located on the island of Vieques, east of the coast of Puerto Rico. Mosquito Bay is the brightest and best-known bioluminescent bay in the world.
Where is the best bioluminescent bay in the world? ›Mosquito Bay is the world's brightest bio bay. It is located on the Puerto Rican island of Vieques, seven miles from the southeastern shores of Puerto Rico's main island.
Can you swim in bioluminescent bay Vieques? ›
The bioluminescent bay in La Parguera is the only bay in Puerto Rico where swimming is allowed and it adds to the true magical experience of the bay tour.
Can you swim in Mosquito Bay? ›Are you allowed to swim in the bioluminescent bays? “Swimming is not allowed in Mosquito Bay, but people are allowed to touch the water with their hands or splash their partner,” Velazquez shares. La Parguera is the only bio bay that allows swimming in Puerto Rico.
Is it safe to swim in bioluminescent bay? ›Things like bioluminescent algae that twinkle along the seascape can poison sea life from fish to sea turtles and can make humans very sick if they come into contact with it, so swimming is not advised.
What time of night is best to see bioluminescence? ›For those who want to try and spot the bioluminescence while it sticks around, Scripps says the displays are best viewed from a dark beach at least two hours after sunset, though visibility is not guaranteed.
What month can you see bioluminescence? ›When Can I See Bioluminescence? Bioluminescence is a year-long phenomenon. In the summer months (June – September) and into Fall, we see a bioluminescence produced by a plankton called dinoflagellates.
Is bioluminescence in Puerto Escondido worth it? ›Experiencing bioluminescence in Puerto Escondido is one of the most popular activities and we'd highly recommend the experience if you have the time during your visit.