EXPLORE MAGICAL BIOLUMINESCENT BAYS of the Caribbean
Take a dazzling kayak trip through lush mangroves and luminous waters
BY ALEXA ZIZZI
Bio Bay in Fajardo
P ICTURE YOURSELF ON A MOONLIT EVENING CRUISE, and you see the water below your boat sparkling like the stars in the sky above. This magical light show is not just a fantasy — it’s a rare phenomenon that occurs in what’s called a bioluminescent bay, where you witness tiny lights that twinkle beneath you. Dip your oar down into what looks like static electricity in the waves or fling a handful of water into the air and it feels like you’re sprinkling stardust. Bioluminescent bays are created by tiny algae called dinoflagellates. These microorganisms produce a neon blue-green light from a chemical reaction involving a compound called luciferin, named for its devilish glow. According to Smithsonian Magazine , “Bioluminescence can serve a variety of purposes, such as signaling predators to stay away or beckoning mates to come closer.” Depending on the moon’s cycle, weather conditions and the disturbance of waves, you can catch this amazing experience at the following destinations. Some say a full moon is the best time to visit these bays.
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