Glass Bottom Bio Bay Tours

Oh my god what a great experience!! If I could I would go back right now and do it again! Absolutely amazing. We went to Fajardo beach because we had made reservations with the Akuadventures Kayaking tour to go see one of the three bio bays on this island. We arrived late (oops) but since we came as a group of 10 they waited for us and sent a different group ahead of us.
The best part about this company is that their kayaks have glass bottoms so you can see the bioluminescent plankton while going down the mangrove channels. There is other companies that do the tours but none of them have this feature.
Some tips that are good to know before you go:

DO NOT bring anything you don't want to get wet or fall in the water!
DO wear shorts/bathing suit/light clothing.
DO bring a change of clothes!
DO bring a waterproof flash light and waterproof camera.
DO bring $40 in cash per person. If you want to buy your picture afterwards have and extra 10 dollars.

So this is how it goes. The trip is $40 a person in cash. They put you in life vests and then you get about 10-15 minutes of instructions on how to paddle, stop, make sharp turns in a kayak. Then it starts. You get in your 2 person kayak and get to practice in the shallow waters by the shore. The company takes a picture of each kayak. Then you follow your groups leader. The kayaks have glow sticks attached, this way you will see the kayak ahead and behind you. Getting to the mangrove channel is the hardest part since it's in the open bay and there is somewhat of a current. The water is shallow though so there is no need to freak out. lol Once in the channels it smells a little funky but it's not unbearable. It is pitch black so if you are afraid of the dark this may not be your thing or you bring the flashlight in case you get stuck in one of the branches. lol (Yes, we did do that.)
Paddling is pretty tiring if you're doing it wrong, but since you listened to the instructions in the beginning it's no problem. haha I don't exactly know how long it takes to get to the Laguna Grande but you will notice how the water around the moving paddles and underneath the kayak will start glowing once you get closer to it. This is due to the pyrodinium hahamense, a type of plankton that charges itself during the day from the sunlight and starts glowing at night when it feels it is being attacked. Choose a night without or little moon, that's when the visibility is the best. It's a truly amazing sight. If you touch the water with your hand you will notice little spots within the glow, looking like underwater fire flies. You can't take a picture of the phenomenon so that's all I can give you guys. Guess you'll have to go see for yourself! :)
Once you arrive in the big lagoon you meet up with your group and the leader will explain the plankton to you. One sad part is that you used to be able to actually swim in the lagoon but now it is prohibited, because people usually drown themselves in OFF spray which kills the plankton. The water is really warm though.
We were lucky enough to have a star filled sky up above which was just beautiful! You can also see the distant Fajardo light house. Again you get to explore around a little in the group before heading back to shore. Every once in a while you will scare the fish around you and they will swim away which looks like glowing eels in the water. The whole trip is about 2 hours long and I will never forget it!!
This is probably the coolest thing I've ever done and a perfect memory!

THIS COMPANY HAS THE BEST EQUIPTMENT!

the price is now $45.00pp no pictures were taken, water & small snacks were provided after.

it is just as described above!! the highlight of our week's stay in nearby luquillo....we found it by following a van towing the kayaks to the marina Christmas night '08.

i had read horrible things about it being unorganized and a huge bug biting festival where YOU were the meal. we didn't even have to apply bug spray...maybe because it had been windy all week...maybe because it was december. anyway, the bad review i had read made me leary of the bio experience (that fajarda was awfull with the bugs, vieques was a nightmare with a seasick ferry ride or a plane trip that would leave ticketed passengers with reservations behind struggling to find a place to stay for the night) we found quite the opposite and were just lucky enough the glass bottom kayaks were available when we were!

GO IF YOU EVER GET THE CHANCE!

-m.