Laguna Grande Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Laguna Grande. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Bio Bay Kayak Tour in Fajardo

• Puerto Rico Bio Bay Kayak Adventure Tour

• Bio Bay Kayak Tour in Fajardo

• Two-in-One Day Trip: El Yunque and Bio Bay Tour With Transport

• Puerto Rico Sunset Magic: Bio Bay Kayaking Tour From Fajardo

The cost of visiting Laguna Grande depends on which tour you choose, as you need a tour to get to and explore this bioluminescent bay. Kayak tours start from US$65, while tours with transport included from San Juan are roughly US$125. Some tours combine a visit to the lagoon with El Yunque and start at around US$155.

Yes, Laguna Grande is definitely worth visiting if you want to experience the beautiful phenomenon of a lagoon glowing with bioluminescent light. Besides offering the chance to see this rare act of nature, tours take you through beautiful mangroves by kayak and offer commentary on how the microscopic organisms in the water create the water's dazzling effect.

Per one customer who booked the Puerto Rico Bio Bay Kayak Adventure Tour, "Best tour of the trip! Guides were fun, playful, and helpful! The tour was fun, and the bioluminescence did not disappoint. 10/10 would do again!"

No, unfortunately, you can’t swim in Laguna Grande during your visit or tour. Swimming is prohibited to keep the bay at its healthiest. The only bioluminescent bay in Puerto Rico that you can swim in is La Parguera, which is a 2.5-hour car drive from Laguna Grande.

The bioluminescence bay of Laguna Grande glows with a blueish coloring because of the dinoflagellates in the water. A dinoflagellate is a microscopic organism that uses glowing as a defense when they notice any movement in the water. These short bursts of blue light have drawn tourists to the bays for years.

The best time of night to see the effects of the dinoflagellate’s bioluminescence on Laguna Grande is at least two hours after the sun has set when the sky is dark. One of the best times is also during the new moon phase because there won’t be moonlight reflecting onto the water.

No, you cannot visit Laguna Grande on your own. Take a kayaking or boat tour with a licensed, permitted tour operator to easily navigate the mangroves and get the best experience of the sparkling, bioluminescent waters after dark. Tours typically include kayaks, gear, and safety equipment.

To see Laguna Grande, you need to take a guided tour. Kayaking tours are popular and generally include kayaking gear, safety equipment, and a professional guide who helps you navigate the mangroves that lead to the lagoon.

Yes, you can see the Laguna Grande bioluminescent bay without kayaking, but you will need to be on the water as it’s not accessible by land. A few tour operators run tours on small boats out to the lagoon, ideal if you don’t like kayaking.

You can see bioluminescence at Laguna Grande all year, but it's best to visit in the dry season, which runs from December–April when there’s less chance of rainfall. If possible, plan your visit to coincide with the new moon, when the sky is darkest and bioluminescence is most brilliant.

Yes, you can take photos at Laguna Grande, but it's difficult to get still photographic images to match the brilliance of the live bioluminescence. Digital SLR cameras will likely work better than camera phones. Pack a dry bag if you don’t have a waterproof device.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting Laguna Grande. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Fajardo:

• Icacos Island (Cayo Icacos)

• El Yunque National Forest

• Culebra Island

• Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Fajardo.