WITHOUT A PADDLE…read more Kayaking during the day proving too easy?  How about kayaking at night...through a mangrove forest. As my wife and I planned our second trip to Puerto Rico, we agreed that a bio bay kayak tour should be on the list.  Only 5 biobays exist in the world, 3 of which are in PR (in Vieques, La Parguera, and here on the far northeast corner of the island).  There's a few kayaking tour companies in the area, each offering a similar bioluminescent excursion. Hang on, biolu-what?  I'll skip the TED talk--all you need to know is that a certain kind of marine plankton makes the water in extra salty lagoons glow blue.  It's the same science that gives jellyfish, fireflies, and deep-sea anglerfish their special ability to produce light. When we arrived around 8pm, tour guides gave our group of 15-20 life vests and provided instructions, like what to do if your ass falls out of the kayak.  Our goal was Laguna Grande (literally "big lagoon"), roughly 1 mile from our starting point on the shores of Fajardo. So......getting to Laguna Grande is not easy.  Along with a partner, you'll paddle your way through a narrow channel surrounded on all sides by thick mangroves, including an overhead canopy.  This is tricky during daylight hours, but at night the difficulty ramps up.  Keep in mind that visibility in these thick mangrove patches drops to near-zero at times. You might (probably will) have to avoid other kayak groups and (possibly) motorboats as you make your way to the lagoon, all while trying not to crash into the person in front of you, fall too far behind, or be knocked unconscious/impaled by low branches.  The outbound trip was not super chill, thankfully coming back was less stressful. Having an experienced partner is CRUCIAL. Bio bay tours are very much like whale watching, in that your visit is based almost entirely on luck.  A lot needs to go right in order to see magic stuff in the water, like the moon being in its 'new' phase (full moon casts too bright of a reflection) and no recent rainfall (rain comes down as fresh water, decreasing the lagoon's salinity). Under ideal circumstances, the microorganisms appear as florescent blue swirls when you move your hand/paddle through the water.  What we saw were closer to electrical 'sparks', still cool but not vibrant.  Capturing what little bio-presence we saw on camera would've been impossible, so we smartly kept our phones in the car. Oddly enough, mosquitos weren't a problem. * TL;DR * For me, this was more about the journey than the destination. If I'd hung all of my hopes on seeing tons of bioluminescent activity, I would've been disappointed.  I was focused more on trying not to capsize while also listening to the symphony of 'coqui' (the local island tree frog). It can be romantic with a spouse/partner, assuming they're not yelling at you the whole time. Wear comfy clothes (swim trunks aren't a bad idea) and be aware that parts of your outfit will be crunchy the next day, due to the lagoon water being twice as salty as the ocean. Mangroves play a critical role in the tropical ecosystem, but they stink! Would definitely recommend this to anyone over the age of 18; it's an awesome late-night adventure and one of the most unique things you can do while in Puerto Rico.

What a beautiful experience. Had great guides during our Bio Bay tour. Our guide told us all about…read morethe science and history of the bay. Very cool, don't miss this magic!

Rented the zodiac style inflatable motor boat for 90 minutes with my son. They require a guide in a…read moreseparate zodiac who was a cool guy and a good idea as this area has some boat traffic including cruise ships and large yachts including Amazon Boss, Jeff Bezos. We enjoyed the zip around San Juan harbor and stop to swim. $165 for 90 minutes. Boats are in pretty good shape. They have organized departure times in this Sunday we're 10:30am 1pm and 3:30pm.

The plan was to visit Culebra…read more We had a great 40 minute bus ride from Condado to the Fajardo Safe Harbor for a pleasure boat ride for 20 post wedding guests. We arrived on time and we were warmly greeted by the captain and 2 crew. After a basic safety briefing we charted out towards Culebra in overcast weather. Instead of Culebra we settled on the uninhabited beach of Caya Luis Pena before Culebra with crystal clear waters in about 20 minutes. The waters were translucent clear turquoise and beach sand was pristine. Water temp was around 79-80F. Weather was overcast and comfortably cool. They laid out a simple light sandwich buffet for lunch with beers and tropical cocktails. Snorkeling, swimming and relaxing for a few hours, we spotted small schools of fish and a very cool bachelor Stingray circling looking for scraps. Crew was incredibly friendly and helpful and everyone enjoyed the short beach visit. The return trip was much smoother and after jumping back on the bus we were able to stop by a bbq joint for coconuts and fried stuffed empanadas.

We did a bioluminescence boat tour on a Saturday evening in March. The communication leading up to…read morethe tour was excellent and ensured we had all of our questions answered. The tour itself was phenomenal. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and the boat staff did a great job. This was a highlight of our trip, and we would all highly recommend adding this to any visit to Puerto Rico.

Fun staff. However, didn't do much to help us see the bioluminescence, was so excited and paid a…read morelot just to be given a tarp 15 people had to share. Maybe invest in one for each Kayak instead of sharing across 4???

This was, without a doubt, the highlight of our PR vacation! I stumbled upon this through some…read moreTrip Advisor reviews and learned that the reserve offers an environmentally-friendly way to see the bio-luminescence. In addition to being environmentally-friendly, it is also cost-effective! Let me tell you more! First of all, the reserve offers a lot of different tours and activities but the one I am writing about is the evening lighthouse tour and hike through the bio-luminescent lagoon. If you wish to the tour I did, I recommend booking it online in advance because this tour WILL sell out. It is SO awesome. When we first arrived to the reserve, we parked our Jeep and checked in. It was very easy checking in. We then covered ourselves head to toe in bug spray which I HIGHLY recommend. Then we walked around the main "office" of the reserve and we got to see a beautiful sunset over the ocean. Everything was so pretty! Once we had everyone checked in for the tour, we got on an open-air shuttle with a group of about 16 people. Our tour guide, Francisco, told us a lot about PR and about the natural habitat and what the reserve is doing to preserve and restore it. Our first stop was the Faro Fajardo (Fajardo Lighthouse). This was gorgeous. We got to go inside this historical building and climb to the top and look out and see so many beautiful sights. The stars and moon were incredible and we also could see our resort as well as many other points in PR. We learned so much about Fajardo and about the ecological systems in that area. After leaving the lighthouse, we went on this long walk in the dark on this really sturdy wooden path that led through mangrove trees and out into this beautiful lagoon. It was so beautiful and you could hear the song of the coquis. Once out at the end of the walkway, we were given long sticks that we were able to use to swirl the water around and see the sparkling bio-luminescence. It was amazing! It was so beautiful and we learned so very much. It also meant a lot to us that the money we spent on the tour was going towards the greater good of protecting the natural environment in Puerto Rico. I cannot say enough about how wonderful this place is. We wanted to go back during the day but didn't have enough time on our most recent trip so we have it on our to-do list for next time. If you do anything in PR, check this place out!

Inexpensive ($12 - $22pp) tours offered by this 316 acre nonprofit nature park (just down the road…read morefrom Seven Seas Beach and the restaurant Costa Mia) are great value for anyone interested to learn about the variety of ecological systems of Puerto Rico. The Reserva Natural Las Cabezas de San Juan provides guided tours of (among other things) the 3 types of area mangrove forests, the famed Laguna Grande bio-bay, some less traveled beaches and reefs, an active archaeological site, and El Faro, the 1882 Spanish white lighthouse on the top of the tallest point with spectacular 360 degree views around Fajardo. Our family attended a 9:30a tour of the park which included a tram trip to the lighthouse with stops to explore the mangroves and a rocky, windy beach. Our local tour guide and geologist by trade, Francisco, was very friendly and knowledgeable about all aspects of the reserve and was a wealth of information about Puerto Rico in general, as well. Although our tour was scheduled to be in Spanish, Francisco quickly switched to English when it was clear that all attendees were from the mainland U.S.. We were glad to have brought water, hats, and umbrellas, as there were some portions of the tour in the hot sun. Evening walking bio-bay tours (where you stay on a board walk and activate the dinoflagellates via long poles) tend to fill up weeks to months in advance, so visit the park's website (it has an English version) and make your reservation as soon as you know your travel dates. This can be a great option for travelers who are not interested in kayaking to the bay or would like a quieter, more "one with nature" experience. If you try this, be sure to cover yourself with mosquito repellant, as the bugs are relentless in the mangroves. FYI, Francisco says that the best time of year to view the brightest bio-bay action are from March to July, and you should try to go when the moon is not full; he also says that Mosquito Bay on Vieques is really the best bio-bay, so go there if you have the time. We were very disappointed to find that the park's gift shop was unable to process any transactions during our visit (prime tourism season over the winter break). We were told, "Oh, we just did inventory for the year, so we can't make any more sales." ¿Qué? This was such a shame given that the nonprofit certainly needs funds to further their work and they missed out on more than $500 in sales from the tour attendees during our visit alone (all of whom would have gladly purchased a $20 t-shirt and other items after hearing our guide's convincing spiel about how we could help preserve this ecological wonder). Perhaps this story illustrates some of the economic problems PR is facing.... FYI, the park's entrance is guarded and gated, but it may be a surprise to hear that the beaches surrounding the park as well as the interior's bio-bay are required by law to be accessible to the public. This means that if you are adventurous, you can follow the beach trail from in front of the Costa Mia restaurant until you reach a path that runs right into the bio-bay.

Excellent day both in and out of the water. Booking a private tour was absolutely the right choice…read more-- we avoided the crowds and got to experience exactly what we wanted. Our captains, Ariana and John, were fantastic hosts -- knowledgeable, attentive, and made the whole trip memorable. We originally missed our larger group tour due to traffic and rain, but this ended up being a much better experience. Highly recommend!

This was the highlight of our trip to Puerto Rico! The snorkeling was incredible, followed by a…read morerelaxing time at a gorgeous beach (with drinks, sandwiches, fruit, etc.) and a short stop at a third spot where we spotted sea turtles and just saw sights. We had 5 people on our private tour, 3 experienced snorkelers and 2 newbies, one of whom was 10 years old and VERY anxious. They took their time and stayed with us, one in the water and one watching from the boat with survival gear at all times. We all felt safe and had fun. Everything was just perfect. We did what we wanted on our own timetable without being rushed. The kids connected their music by Bluetooth and they had a great time. If you have a group of about our size, this is your BEST choice! Absolutely fantastic! BTW, we got great photos and video of the snorkeling on the gopro, but I don't have them on my phone to post. Still, bring a gopro when you snorkel. The videos will be great!

Definitely one of the highlights of our trip. The water is beautiful and perfect for swimming and…read moresnorkeling. Our hosts were very good at explaining how to snorkel for first timers and guided use to the reefs. Equipment was top notch and we saw so many beautiful fish. The lunch was tasty and we had unlimited pina coladas and coconut mojitos ayyyy!! Also we got to go down a water slide off the boat. So special and memorable!

We had the best time!! The 5 hours fly by, but also moves at a comfortable pace. I didn't want the…read moreexperience to end, but also felt fully satisfied by the end. We enjoyed the sunshine, the fun vibes provided by the crew, got to wander around Icacos, and also got a gorgeous view of the sun setting! Drinks were delicious & lunch was provided. They have everything you need to have a comfortable journey! Super happy to have picked this organization to experience a boat tour with.

If you're even thinking about booking the Serenity snorkel trip--DO IT. This was hands down one of…read morethe best experiences our family has ever had, and that's all thanks to Captain Cesar. From the moment we stepped on board, Cesar treated us like family. He didn't just take us to the usual crowded spots--he brought us to private, breathtaking areas where the coral reefs were absolutely stunning. We snorkeled in crystal-clear water, swam alongside sea turtles, and even spotted manatees and stingrays... it felt like something out of a documentary. And the food... unbelievable. This wasn't your typical "snack" boat. We had all-you-can-eat snacks and drinks for both the kids and adults, plus an incredible onboard spread: fresh shrimp cocktail, perfectly grilled skirt steak, grilled chicken, garlic bread, and then topped it all off with a huge assortment of fresh fruit. It felt like a private floating restaurant. But what really made this trip special was Cesar himself. His energy, hospitality, and genuine care made the entire experience unforgettable. He went above and beyond to make sure every single one of us had an amazing time. We made memories on this trip that will last a lifetime, and we truly can't thank Cesar enough. If you want an experience that's personal, fun, and absolutely unforgettable--this is it.

My wife and I recently spent time in Puerto Rico and during the planning we decided we would do a…read moresnorkeling trip. We knew we didn't want to go on one of those huge catamarans so after research my wife chose vipsnorkeling.com which is part of serenity tours. What can I say. From the moment we met captain Cesar we thought we would have a good time but it was the absolute highlight of our entire week in Puerto Rico. The boat was spotless and Captain Cesar explained every aspect of the trip and how we controlled what we did. We went out to some fantastic reefs and he really knew what we was doing. We felt safe on the water, we had a fantastic time snorkeling, all the equipment was in great condition and when we got back on the boat, we had a beautifully prepared lunch platter waiting for us and full bar. Wow!! Captain was an absolute pleasure and highly professional. We would book with them again in a moment and recommend them to anyone who wants to have a private tour and feel like your money is totally well spent. Great job Captain Cesar!

Me and my wife had an amazing time at culebra...... The…read morestaff was awesome and culebra is a must go!!!!

El Este tours came in clutch! Amazing time! We were a party of 12 and it was well worth it!…read more Isabella, Joey, Isaiah & Capt. Gio were awesome! I drop my sunglasses while snorkeling and Joey came to the rescue. Isabella was a great bar tender. Such a great time!

Wonderful trip!! Yamin and our Captain gave us an amazing day on the water. We spent a relaxing…read moremorning snorkeling, swimming and floating. Snacks and lunch were perfect!! Highlights of the day including Matilde, Luca (and friends) and sea turtle sightings. We looking forward to booking again and are hoping to do the Culebra overnight.

Have no idea where to begin. My son has special needs with food and Roxi called me to go over what…read morewe were serving. Didn't make it to culebra as planned because of the water but we didn't care they still took us to a beautiful beach. We've spent so much $$$$ on mediocre meals since being in Puerto Rico and the bbq served for lunch was probably the best meal we've had here. If we ever come back to Puerto Rico it is to do this again. Roxi we are so grateful for your hospitality

We had such a fun time! The crew was so friendly and they were eager to do everything they could…read moreto help us enjoy our trip. The food was fresh and delicious, and the rum drinks kept coming after we snorkeled! I also appreciated that the crew was top notch when it came to safety and caring for the ocean.

If you want to count on a trip, don't book with these guys. We eloped to Puerto Rico last week and…read moremy husband booked the "Luxury Sunset Cruise" for Saturday night 4/25, the week before. We received a call late Friday afternoon telling us they had to cancel because they did not get enough people to book!? What? They offered us to go on the earlier snorkel trip, but we already had plans in the afternoon in Luquillo and both of us wear glasses and do not snorkel. I called all the other sunset sails in the area and of course they were all booked up for a beautiful Saturday night. But these guys couldn't fill their boat? Honestly, it sounded like a bullshit excuse. It was a serious disappointment in an otherwise amazing trip to PR. If I were you I would try Salty Dog, Spread Eagle II, East Island Excursions, etc.