Bioluminescence Tour in Kayak in Holbox Island
Recommended by 91% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Isla Holbox, Mexico
- 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
The bioluminescent waters off Isla Holbox are a spectacular sight, but hard to access without specialized vehicles and equipment. This small-group tour uses all-terrain vehicles to reach a pristine nature reserve, far from town lights—ensuring the bioluminescence and stars are at their most impressive. Provided kayaks and snorkeling gear means you see the phenomenon from on top and in the water.
- Enjoy the relaxed pace and laid-back atmosphere of a small-group tour
- Get to know like-minded travelers on this nature-themed experience
- Ride in an ATV to an uncrowded, lesser-known bioluminescence spot
- Enjoy hotel pickup for a seamless departure
What's Included
- Private transportation
- Use of Snorkeling equipmentUse of Snorkelling equipment
- Use of kayak equipment
- All Fees and Taxes
- Bottled water
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Arranged start time
Confirm time with the local provider in advance of your experience.
- 08/10/2026 - 08/13/2026
Monday - Thursday : 8:00 PM - 11:30 PM
- 08/14/2026 - 08/16/2026
Friday - Sunday : 8:00 PM - 11:30 PM
- 08/17/2026 - 08/22/2026
Monday - Saturday : 8:00 PM - 11:30 PM
- 08/23/2026 - 08/23/2026
Sunday : 8:00 PM - 11:30 PM
- 08/24/2026 - 08/30/2026
Monday : 8:00 PM - 11:30 PM
Tuesday : 8:00 PM - 11:30 PM
Sunday : 8:00 PM - 11:30 PM
- 08/31/2026 - 09/06/2026
Monday - Sunday : 8:00 PM - 11:30 PM
- 09/07/2026 - 09/07/2026
Monday : 8:00 PM - 11:30 PM
- 09/08/2026 - 09/13/2026
Tuesday - Sunday : 8:00 PM - 11:30 PM
- 09/14/2026 - 11/01/2026
Monday - Sunday : 8:00 PM - 11:30 PM
- 11/02/2026 - 11/06/2026
Monday - Friday : 8:00 PM - 11:30 PM
- 11/07/2026 - 11/08/2026
Saturday - Sunday : 8:00 PM - 11:30 PM
- 11/09/2026 - 01/31/2027
Monday - Sunday : 8:00 PM - 11:30 PM
- 02/01/2027 - 02/02/2027
Monday - Tuesday : 8:00 PM - 11:30 PM
- 02/03/2027 - 02/04/2027
Wednesday - Thursday : 8:00 PM - 11:30 PM
- 02/05/2027 - 02/07/2027
Friday - Sunday : 8:00 PM - 11:30 PM
- 02/08/2027 - 06/06/2027
Monday - Sunday : 8:00 PM - 11:30 PM
- 06/07/2027 - 06/11/2027
Monday - Friday : 8:00 PM - 11:30 PM
Itinerary
1
Punta Mosquito
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Infants must sit on laps
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Activity not available during the full moon.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
We did the nighttime bioluminescence kayak tour and overall it was a fantastic experience. It started a bit so-so. Our pickup ran late, and we were dropped off at a dark stretch of beach with no one there initially, which was a little confusing. But once the guide arrived, everything turned around quickly.
The guide, Diego(i think is his name?) was lovely, informative, and immediately made everyone feel comfortable. My mother had never kayaked before, and the team was incredibly patient and attentive with her. The kayaks were very beginner-friendly, and the water stayed shallow the entire time, which made it feel safe and manageable.
The guides shared interesting information throughout the tour, and we even got to see two different types of bioluminescence, which was really special ✨ It’s hard to capture on camera, so I wouldn’t worry about bringing one. It’s definitely something you have to experience in person.
The pacing was also perfect. There wasn’t much idle time, and it never felt rushed. Any longer and I might have gotten bored, any shorter and it would have felt too quick. The water was a bit cold, but that’s obviously out of their control. I know there are other options for bioluminscense tours - snorkeling, golf cart, walking. I wouldn't want to go snorkeling in the cold dark night water and I don't think golf cart would let you get as "hands on" as we were able to get, so I'm happy we choose the kayaking experience.
Despite the slightly rocky start, this ended up being a memorable and well-run experience. I’d absolutely recommend it to anyone visiting Holbox.
Reviews
4.6
based on 196 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Great experience. Great for those who aren’t scared of the dark. Shallow waters and trustworthy guides. They make the outing fun and educational. Never thought I’d go on a tour where I wish it was darker, but during our tour I caught myself wishing for just that. The view of the night sky was spectacular, Milky Way was on display. Even saw a couple shooting stars! If you’re looking for a fun evening adventure, I highly recommend this tour. Juan, Ry, Hugo were all profesional, kinda and made our group feel comfortable and safe to explore.
Tip- If you have rash guard or sun shirt would recommend wearing to avoid the mosquitos that come out at night. Or just be sure to use mosquito spray!
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a detailed review! We’re delighted to know you enjoyed this unique night adventure and that the experience of exploring the shallow waters under the stars exceeded your expectations. Seeing the Milky Way and shooting stars makes the night even more special, and we’re happy you were able to enjoy such a clear and spectacular sky.
We’re especially glad to hear that Juan, Ry, and Hugo made your group feel comfortable, safe, and welcome while also sharing their knowledge and making the experience fun and educational. Your recommendation and helpful tips for future travelers are truly appreciated. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back to Holbox for another unforgettable experience!
Amazing experience incl stargazing. Guide really knowledgeable not only regarding marine biology but also star formations. Really good experience - many thanks to our lovely guides Alfonso, Adolpho and Diego :)
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted that you enjoyed the experience and the stargazing portion of the tour. It’s great to hear that our guides were able to share their knowledge of both marine life and the night sky, making the adventure even more interesting and memorable. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with Alfonso, Adolpho, and Diego. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back to Holbox for another unforgettable experience!
Breathtaking! Completely unique and unforgettable. Enrique led our tour and taught us about bioluminescence, then pointed out constellations. It was a small group and an easy kayak ride. The stars were amazing and the bioluminescent bay was incredible. Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that your bioluminescence tour in Holbox was such a unique and unforgettable experience. We’re especially happy that Enrique made your night even more special by sharing fascinating information about the bioluminescence, guiding you through the stars and constellations, and ensuring you enjoyed a peaceful kayaking adventure. At Xtreme Holbox, we strive to create authentic small-group experiences that connect our guests with the incredible natural beauty of Holbox. Thank you for your recommendation—we hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable adventure soon!
Really knowledgeable staff about the bioluminescence and the star constellations.
Thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
The only niggle was that we were told to follow one of the kayaks with a red light- when we looked around there were several kayaks with red lights as there were 3 different tours leaving at the same time from the same place. Had to take a chance we were following the right group!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed our Holbox bioluminescence tour and appreciated the knowledge our guides shared about the bioluminescence phenomenon and the night sky constellations. We also appreciate your feedback regarding the departure. We understand how having several groups leaving at the same time could have been confusing, and we’ll work on improving our meeting and identification process to make it even clearer for future guests. Thank you for helping us improve, and we hope to welcome you back to Xtreme Holbox for another unforgettable kayaking adventure in Holbox!
We did the nighttime bioluminescence kayak tour and overall it was a fantastic experience. It started a bit so-so. Our pickup ran late, and we were dropped off at a dark stretch of beach with no one there initially, which was a little confusing. But once the guide arrived, everything turned around quickly.
The guide, Diego(i think is his name?) was lovely, informative, and immediately made everyone feel comfortable. My mother had never kayaked before, and the team was incredibly patient and attentive with her. The kayaks were very beginner-friendly, and the water stayed shallow the entire time, which made it feel safe and manageable.
The guides shared interesting information throughout the tour, and we even got to see two different types of bioluminescence, which was really special ✨ It’s hard to capture on camera, so I wouldn’t worry about bringing one. It’s definitely something you have to experience in person.
The pacing was also perfect. There wasn’t much idle time, and it never felt rushed. Any longer and I might have gotten bored, any shorter and it would have felt too quick. The water was a bit cold, but that’s obviously out of their control. I know there are other options for bioluminscense tours - snorkeling, golf cart, walking. I wouldn't want to go snorkeling in the cold dark night water and I don't think golf cart would let you get as "hands on" as we were able to get, so I'm happy we choose the kayaking experience.
Despite the slightly rocky start, this ended up being a memorable and well-run experience. I’d absolutely recommend it to anyone visiting Holbox.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for your detailed and thoughtful review! We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your full experience.
We’re very happy to hear that, despite the initial confusion, the tour turned into a fantastic and memorable experience for you. Diego will be especially glad to know that he made you feel comfortable and that you enjoyed the information shared throughout the tour.
We also truly appreciate your patience regarding the pickup. As we provide transportation for multiple guests, there can occasionally be slight delays while we complete all scheduled pickups. We always do our best to keep everything as smooth and timely as possible, and your understanding means a lot to us.
It’s wonderful to know that your mother felt safe and supported during her first kayaking experience, and that you were able to enjoy the bioluminescence in such a special and hands-on way. As you mentioned, it’s something truly unique that is best experienced in person.
Thank you again for your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable adventure in Holbox.
Warm regards,
XtremeHolbox Team ✨🛶
It seems dark and a scary in the beginning but it’s worth the initial wariness. Don’t bring your phone, if you have a professional camera bring it with you. We had Diego for our guide and he was really informative, friendly and engaging. Bring water shoes if you can.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! 😊 We’re glad to hear that, even though it seemed a little dark and scary at first, you enjoyed the bioluminescence kayak tour. We’re happy Diego made the experience informative and fun 🌟🚣♂️. Thank you also for the helpful tips for future travelers. We hope to see you again in Holbox for more magical adventures!
This tour is very dangerous. Do not do it!
It was 11 PM, completely dark. They put us in kayaks on the open sea. NO LIFE JACKETS, NO LIGHTS, NO REFLECTIVE GEAR, NO WHISTLE.
If you fall in the water, no one can see you. No one can help.
We had 8 kayaks. Only the guide had one headlamp.
After 30 seconds, the guide stopped the tour. Waves and wind were too strong. And I’m glad he did!
But this shows disregard for human life due to low safety standards.
Even in calm cenotes, life jackets are required. Here? Nothing. At night. In the ocean. In the dark.
Not worth the risk. Stay away but if you must pick another organizer
Response from Host, Oct 2025
We are truly sorry to read your review, but we would like to clarify some important details.
Before starting the activity, our certified guide explained the sea conditions and strongly advised against proceeding. However, several guests, including yourself, insisted on trying. The tour was started only after confirming that everyone understood the situation. Within a minute, the guide decided to cancel it immediately due to the rising wind and waves — prioritizing everyone’s safety above all.
All participants had life jackets available, and you personally stated you didn’t need one due to your experience level. Nevertheless, the tour was stopped, and a full refund was processed on the spot.
We regret that you felt unsafe, but we respectfully disagree with your description. Our team followed every safety protocol and acted responsibly from start to finish
This was a great tour, tour guide was amazing! Definitely recommend seeing this while on the island!
What a beautiful experience! The stars, Milky Way and bioluminescence were amazing! Would definitely recommend!
Loved that there was pick up/drop available before & after.
Different than other bioluminescent tours we’ve taken in other parts of the world. Since the water was so shallow we had the opportunity to wade in the water with the plankton and see it sparkle on our clothes. The view of the stars was incredible also.
Our guide Jony was fantastic! He knew all about the constellations and the bioluminescent plankton. Took us to a couple different locations to see the best spot for the bioluminescence! Also picked us up from our hotel and dropped us off! This activity is worth it!
Was really fun! Not quite as ‘lit up’ as we expected but that’s probably due to online photos from google search setting an example a bit misleading. Other people in our group were a bit annoying and ruined it for us, would do it again as a private tour.
Amazing experience. The activity was very well organized. The communication from start to end was impeccable. Our 4 year old son loved seeing the water light up. Our guides were great too, Ariel and David. They paid extra attention to him. The explanations given were super comprehensive. We were even lucky to see 2 horseshoe crabs.
This was amazing!!! Not exactly like the pictures but the bioluminesce lives on the seaweed and in the water. It must be very dark. Our guide Johnny (sorry if I messed up the spelling) was awesome, so much knowledge about the stars and the eco system, he was kind and very easy to understand. I would definitely chose this company to do more tours with.
We ended up going in December. We were still able to see some of the bioluminescence, just not as much as you would in the summer. Still, I’d recommend this experience at any time of the year. Johnny, our guide, was very kind and welcoming; he explained the science behind the bioluminescence and also toured the stars above. To be in the water seeing the milky way really made this experience unforgettable. Like I said, you’d see more plankton in the summer but even if you visited Holbox during winter, I’d highly recommend doing this tour
Jonny was an excellent guide and we really enjoyed this trip.
The bioluminescence was incredible to see and so too were the stars.
As for the reviews re mosquitos, unsure but we could’ve been lucky or maybe the repellant but had nothing.
Picked up and dropped off from our hotel, would highly recommend this if you’re in Holbox to experience something unique.
We got the tour and suddenly we went back after 15 minutes. We didn’t kayak far and we were said to go futher, but it wasn’t. It was over and nobady informed us.
We got half of our money back but we wanted to get all our money back.
We did see the bioluminescence and that was super cool.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Hello, good morning Sonna, on the day of the activity were offered not to take the activity and get a full refund, you decided to join the tour, we did the activity, we saw the bioluminescence and the rays began and the guide with his professionalism, we paid for the taxis both there and back, we taught and explained the bioluminescence, we offered you half of your refund, we followed up
... our team does not deserve this rating
Had a good time on tour, communication through WhatsApp was top notch. Jonathan was quick to respond with all questions and set up pickup and drop off for us. Made it very easy for us. Kayak tour was fun with guide Johnny leading us, we had an incredible experience Ann’s the snorkeling was amazing, being in the water snorkeling made the trip magnificent. Highly recommend this group for all of your tour needs.
Incredible experience! Bioluminescence is something that you don’t want to miss if you are in Holbox! Jacob is very nice and very experienced guide and we really enjoyed the tour with the kayak!
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Thanks a lot 😁
Incredible swimming in the glowing green water at night. Watching the plankton light up underwater through goggles as we swam is an experience we will not forget.
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Thanks Mr dan was a placer 🙏🔥😁
The stars were beautiful! The one down fall was that our group had a few people who had never kayaked before…. It was hard for our leader to keep us all together at night with new kayakers. He was very patient trying to teach them in the dark.
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Thank you very much for your comment, it was a beautiful night and the bioluminescence looked very pretty, it is a shame that you left us 3 stars 💫 We will continue working to offer you the best service, the tour includes pick up and drop off to your hotel 🙏🌅🏠
Amazing and beautiful phenomenon. A nice short kayak to a sand bar where you have time to play with the bioluminescence. Would definitely recommend. Check the lunar calendar though as you cannot do it a full moon and best to not do it the day before or after as well.
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Thank you very much for your nice comment, of course we remind all our future clients that on a full moon it is not possible to do bioluminescence because darkness is the most important thing.
Johnny was an exceptional guide. He’s very patient, taught us the basics of kayaking quickly and was very knowledgeable about the bioluminescence and the area. The experience was phenomenal, the sky full of stars was also unforgettable. I highly recommend this excursion!
This was Soo much fun relaxing and just breathtaking truly beautiful. My son was so excited to see this phenomenon and we learned lots with our guide Jonathan he was very thorough and let us ask many questions
Amazing experience. Would recommend for sure. The guide was very informative on the biology of the bio luminece marine life.
Very unorganised, we had to follow up multiple times to be picked up. A taxi arrived to pick us up 30 mins late and we were dropped off in the dark whilst a guide was rushing to set up the two kayaks for four of us. Seemed last minute and rushed. We booked an English tour, the guide struggled to speak English. Little to no information or explanations provided, we were just told to get in the kayak, follow him and start paddling. We were kayaking for about 10 mins and then stood on a sand bar to splash the water around. The guide tried to explain the bioluminescence to us but struggled to explain in English. We were back on shore to be taken home by a taxi within 30-40 mins. No snorkel equipment provided and definitely not a 90 min tour. We feel a refund should be provided for the experience we had.
Response from Host, May 2024
I am very sorry for your bad experience, we will continue working to improve the service. Of course, if you didn't like the activity, I offer you a full refund. Please send me a personal message.
Velazquez.jonatan@hotmail.com
+529842170414
Not too much bioluminescence but still a lovely trip. The sky was full of stars and kayaking in the dark under them was like being in a planetarium. We really enjoyed the experience.
Our tour guide Alex was great! He was so knowledgeable about the bioluminescence, the stars and general information about Holbox. He gave us really good instructions on how to use the double kayak and was very patient with us. He gave us plenty of time to play in the water with the bioluminescence as well! Would highly recommend this tour to see this amazing beauty of nature!
Interesting experience but the kayaking was quite tough especially in the dark. We saw some bioluminescence and talked about the constellations. Something different!
What a moving experience! This is my second time taking the bioluminescence tour with Abraham. He’s very knowledgeable and really goes the extra mile. I highly recommend the tour and Abraham.
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per personWas $48.38(-5%)
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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