Glowing in Vieques

Puerto Rico is home to an incredible natural occurrence of bio-luminescent plankton.  Located on the southern side of the island of Vieques which is off of Puerto Rico’s eastern coast you will find yourself in amazement as you kayak out into Mosquito Bay (Puerto Mosquito) .

Guinness Book of World Records touts Bio Bay as the most active bay in the world, and you will no doubt find out why.  As you swim in the water you will agitate millions of dinoflagellates (dy-no-FLAH-juh-luhts) which react with a chemical process that causes them to glow.

Swimming in Mosquito Bay is perfectly safe and legal.  Laws have been passed in other Bio Bays in Puerto Rico such as in Fajardo that do not allow swimming, but at the time of this writing it is still possible in Vieques. Motor boats are not permitted in Mosquito Bay to protect the dinoflagellates, and you must be on a guided tour to enter the bay. There are several companies on the island which can give you a great experience.

You must not wear DEET or any other chemicals on your body to repel insects.  This will do damage to the bay itself and if you are caught applying it you will not be allowed in the water.  Your tour operator will offer you a hibiscus baby oil solution that is save to put on your skin and does a moderate job at repelling insects.  You won’t care about the insects once you see the sights you are about to see.

If you have a choice in the matter, it is best to plan your trip to the Bio Bay during a new moon so that the light pollution is to a minimum. If you catch the bay on a dark night you can even see small fish swimming through the water like shooting stars which is quite a sight.

[Photo: jimsideas on Flickr]