Cayo Caracoles: Bioluminescent Bay Adventure

Embark on a one-of-a-kind adventure in San Juan! Swim and snorkel at Cayo Caracoles, witness a stunning Caribbean Sea sunset, and experience the enchanting bioluminescent waters of La Parguera. Book now!

Duration: 9 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Cayo Caracoles - At the dock, a certified USCG captain is ready with your pontoon boat, selected for its comfort, stability, and enhanced visibility of bioluminescence. Following a brief safety briefing, you’ll set sail towards a stunning cay surrounded by crystal-clear, waist-deep waters, perfect for relaxing snorkeling and floating. Families…
What's Included
  • Local guide
  • Private transportation to La Parguera and Bio Bay
  • Carbonated beverages
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Dinner
Additional Information

Mystic Waters Under the Sun & Stars offers an unparalleled and cinematic connection with nature, providing a unique experience in Puerto Rico. This is not just a tour; it is the world’s first and only private, fully guided, and filmed bioluminescent swimming adventure. It is designed to be safe for everyone, including non-swimmers, toddlers, and…

Location
1055 Ashford Ave
Ashford Avenue
Arrive to the Vanderbilt's lobby and head towards the bar area. Carlos Alexis himself will be waiting for you there to welcome and take you to the most magical and unforgettable experience in all Puerto Rico.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.7
(51 Ratings)
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Cynthiamb2025
Sep 3, 2025
A Once in a Lifetime Experience!!!!! - My husband, myself, our son and 2 grandsons (14 and 17) shared this incredible experience. The ride from San Juan to La Parguera was long but very picturesque and we learned so much from our guide, Carlos, about the land and about Puerto Rico. He was so knowledgeable and passionate about his country!! La Parguera was a small, charming fishing village and we began our journey there. Snorkeling was first in a warm, quiet bay with crystal clear fairly shallow water. It was relaxed and unhurried. We watched the sunset there in the bay. It was stunning. Next came a slow easy ride to the much anticipated bioluminescent bay. It was very sheltered and the few other boats there were all respectfully quiet. No loud voices or music. We waited for complete darkness and then went in to the water. This is the only bioluminescent bay in Puerto Rico that you can actually swim in. Carlos had us go under the boat (pontoon) to start because it offered us a maximum contrast to experience the bioluminescence. Each and every move we made bathed us in shining, sparkling blue light. It took our breath away, it was so incredibly gorgeous!!!! When I would slowly lift my arms out of the water, it looked like they were covered in shimmering diamonds. This was Mother Earth at her finest!!!! Carlos video taped all of us in turn as we experienced the bioluminescence and sent us the video after we came back home from our stay in Puerto Rico. We had a full moon that night but it did not diminish the vibrancy of the bay at all. We all felt that this was a once in a lifetime, never to be forgotten experience. We all recommend this charter; I can not imagine anyone being disappointed.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mirenpadilla
Mar 30, 2025
Do not miss! One word to describe it - MAGICAL! - This is aptly described as “once in a lifetime” “only in Puerto Rico” experience. It’s a long ride but totally worth it! I felt like Elsa in Frozen where sparkles come out of my hands, to the graceful Manta Ray in Avatar. You lift your fingers off the water, and your hands and arm sparkle like a thousand stars. Felt like a goddess! There was no other words to explain it but MAGICAL. This is where the legend of the fountain of youth was born. So, swim in the fountain of youth!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Q763qoallisonl
Mar 19, 2025
BEST GUIDE AND BEST TOUR - if you’re worried abt the 2 hour drive, DONT!! the views were unmatched, and our guide knew the answer to every question along the way. we had the best time in the water and on the boat! we got to play our own music and even beautiful pictures of us in the most beautiful spots. we ended up on a little island and looked at shells and hermit crabs! when we were in the bioluminescent water, our guide had an insane camera to pick up the glowing water that our phones couldn’t even pick up! this was an unmatched and unbelievably amazing trip. wish i could do it again for the first time. he deserves all the glaze! if you’re looking for insta pics- this is the tour for you
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Prakvaid58
Feb 4, 2025
Mind blowing and amazing! - Had an amazing experience with Carlos! He drove us from San Juan to La Parguera and back on a private trip .. very knowledgeable and full of info! Boarded a private charter boat , went snorkeling, saw an awesome sunset and then went to bioluminescence bay! It was pure magic! Swimming and splashing around to create the sparkles and light was an outer world experience! We then went to a restaurant to change and have a delicious dinner and headed back Recommend this highly!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Prakash_v
Feb 4, 2025
Totally mind blowing and amazing! - My wife and I had an amazing experience for just the 2 of us ! Carlos was fantastic and made it a fun day for us! Though the drive from San Juan to La Parguera was over 2 hours each way, the comfort of the car and Carlos’ knowledge about various things made it worth it ! Once we got there we were taken to a nice hotel to change into our swimwear and then boarded a private charter boat to go to an island nearby to snorkel! We saw fish and a wonderful time . Then we got back onto the boat to view a magical sunset and as the hues of the twilight were fading, we were taken by boat to the bioluminescence bay! Oh what an experience that was! To swim in the bay when it was pitch dark with a tiny crescent of the moon., then see the sparkles and light around us as we splashed around and made the light emission go crazy! This was one of our very best moments in our travels ! We then went back to the hotel , changed back into dry comfortable clothes and had a sumptuous dinner which Carlos had pre ordered for us! The drive back was restful with all the magical moments creating memories ! Highly recommend Carlos and Bucket list tours to be on anyone’s Bucketlist!
Review provided by Viator
Koralaik
Jan 7, 2025
Fantastic experience of swimming in the bioluminescent bay! - Awesome experience of snorkeling before the sunset (perfect for not very good swimmers), great sunset views from the boat, and finally fantastic swimming in the bioluminescent bay! Absolutely magical experience! The entire trip was well-organized, including delicious dinner in a local restaurant.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
804giaanl
Jan 7, 2025
Amazing tour - Everything about the trip was awesome, we got to see views from of the island on the way to the snorkeling, the water was perfect and clear and we saw all sorts of wildlife, and after that a relaxing boat ride to the bio bay where we get to experience the water light up under the stars. 10/10 recommend this tour!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
_johnrlyle
Aug 6, 2024
Bucket List private waterfalls, snorkeling, bioluminescent bay swim excursion - This is our first visit to Puerto Rico. Our family took an all day private guided tour with Bucket List tours. It was fantastic. Carlos went out of his way to pick us up closer to where we were staying in Rincon. He shared the rich Puerto Rican history on our trip to the El Yunque rainforest. We were able to swim, cliff jump, and soak in the natural wonders of the most beautiful waterfalls on the island. We then shifted gears and went snorkeling at Caracoles.. After relaxing in the clear, shallow waters, swimming amongst the mangroves, and chasing tarpon, (Take extra food to feed the Tarpon) we watched the sun set and then took a short ten minute boat ride to La Parguera Bay. This is one of 5 bioluminescent bays in the entire world. It is the only one you can swim in. It is a must do once in your life experience. The evening ended with a fun dinner in Lajas where we recounted the activities of the day.. Carlos went way above and beyond what is normally expected of a tour guide. He took lots of pictures and videos which he shared with us at the end of our tour. Carlos really personalized our excursion to fit our family. He also gave us tips for other must do's and see's as well as detailed maps on how to find these hidden gems. This was one of the best vacation excursions that we have taken. As a side note, our tour was not listed above. We went on a private guided waterfall, swimming, cliff jumping , snorkeling, bioluminescent bay , dinner in Lajas all day extravaganza.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
495reaganl
Aug 6, 2024
The Most Amazing Day! - Wow did we have the most remarkable adventure! Carlos’s is a knowledgeable, informed, and thoughtful guide. He brought us to 3 waterfalls deep in the Puerto Rican rainforest, then to a lovely snorkeling experience, and finally to the biobay for the most remarkable experience. This outing was seamlessly planned and perfectly timed. The reason this trip was so fun and exciting for my family and I is all of the heart that Carlos puts into each trip he hosts. He takes care to ensure everyone is enjoying themselves and brings a positive and enthusiastic energy to the day. Highly recommend adventuring with Carlos to get to know Puerto Rico!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michael
Jan 11, 2026
BUYER BEWARE! BAIT AND SWITCH! - Trip not as advertised! We intentionally booked this trip even though more than twice as expensive as other tours for same experience ( minus the video) due to fact that professional video of experience was included. However, no photos or videos taken with a variety of excuses ( conditions have to be perfect, he doesn’t have the gear but National Geographic did, we booked a different tour that didn’t include the video package). Carlos that states that clearly communicated that video is not included when booking. See if you can find that anywhere. Read the fine print and make sure you get what you are paying for with him! Additionally, not at expected “VIP experience” level. No drinks or snacks provided, van was dirty and smelled of cigarettes, and Carlos spent much of time on boat and at restaurant scrolling on phone. I’ve been treated better at many non “VIP” tours. Not worth the cost!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $400
up to 13 guests
2 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).