Puerto Rico, how are the Bioluminescent Bays

[Torontonian]

We have 2 couples going on a cruise trip that starts at San Juan on Sun. Aug. 26. Maybe another family of 4 (2 adults + 2 kids0 will join us. I'm the diver and my wife and friends are snorkelers. I'd like to arrange for us to arrive PR a few days before the cruise trip, to do some diving/snorkeling and enjoying some watersports on a beach.

I've heard there are 3 Bioluminescent Bays in PR. I found a few web sites describing the one on Vieques Island, as it is probably the brightest in the world. The other two are at Fajardo, and in the south at Parquera. There is also has a moon calendar showing the days before our cruise trip Aug. 23-26 are not good (moon too bright), and Aug. 21-22 are iffy.

To do a trip to the bio bay on Vieques Island would require staying there at least for that night. So if going there, wonder if it's worth staying longer for more diving/snorkeling. The one at Fajardo is what many cruise excursions take people to, as it's the closest to San Juan port.


Anyone done these bio bay trips, kayaking, or even diving or snorkeling? How do they compare?


On the days when the moon is bright, can you still experience anything or is it like any other bay?


I've heard diving is so-so at Fajardo. So if the bio bay at Parquera is good, I'd consider booking us to stay there for a few days.

Your comments/suggestions are appreciated.

 

[eclipse785]

I went to PR and the Bioluminescent bay at Parquera. I didn't dive that particular night, but i did visit the bays and swim around a bit. It's a fun experience and was definitely a good display of bioluminescence. However my friend continued on to Vieques and said that their BL bay was better.

When the moon is out, it will make the BL harder to see, but it still should be easily viewable. All the light of the moon will really affect is the intensity.

Either way it is a fun adventure.

As far as diving is concerned, I really enjoyed Desecho Island (specifically Candy Land & another I can't remember) and we went through Taino Divers. However I should warn you,.. Taino divers are good with seasoned divers, but they rush 'resort divers' too much (to the point of being dangerous). I took my fiance out with me so she could do a "discover scuba" and they only gave her about 2 minutes of instruction and 5 minutes with a flip-book to learn the basics. That kinda freaked me out.

 

[Torontonian]

I found some more info on the bio bays in PR:

The 3 Bioluminescent Bays of Puerto Rico: Brilliance is measured by the density of the plankton population:
• Mosquito Bay in Vieques has 750,000 plankton per gallon, by far the best viewing conditions and the most pristine experience.
• Las Croabas Lagoon in Fajardo has 400,000 plankton per gallon.
• La Parguera near Guanica has less than 300,000 per gallon, sometimes considerably less.


Apparently there has been more crowd at La Parguera and it has suffered damages. So the bay is not as bright there any more.

eclipse785, when were you there?