Fabulous Experience!! We booked a tour with Island Kayaking Adventure. It was smooth checking in, very organized and on point. They even had plenty of bug spray for us to use and they store your stuff for free. They were on... read moreWe booked a tour with Island Kayaking Adventure. It was smooth checking in, very organized and on point. They even had plenty of bug spray for us to use and they store your stuff for free. They were on time, funny, very knowledgeable and safe. We never felt pressured to keep up and they were always nearby to help if we got stuck, which my son and I often did. Lol At the end of the trip they had snacks and we had full use of the facilities bathrooms and showers. This was mine and my sons first experience and we had soo much fun!! I was very thankful for the guides Daniel and Diego! My son and I kept getting stuck in the sand and the trees and they were great about towing us along and then encouraging us to try again on our own! They always stayed nearby and were helpful in telling us which way to paddle. The hardest part for me was remembering that if I wanted to go right, I needed to paddle left and vise versa. They Gave us plenty of time to enjoy the bioluminescent organisms in the water!! I had never seen the water glow like that! We would definitely do this again with them and would recommend them to everybody. read less

Bioluminescent night kayak Crew and leader Gary were great!!! The experience was fun for the adults and teens. Gary was patient and knowledgeable

Fun experience! We are a team of 5. And all of us enjoyed it. I read some reviews noting about bug bites, so I wore long jeans and running shoes. I was soaked wet after 15 minutes into the trip had started.... read moreWe are a team of 5. And all of us enjoyed it. I read some reviews noting about bug bites, so I wore long jeans and running shoes. I was soaked wet after 15 minutes into the trip had started. Many people wear swimming suits and no shoes1 Smart!
There was small snack and bottles water provided after the trip. Very considerate! I appreciate it! read less

Magical The bay exceeded my expectations and the float through the mangroves was magical. It was challenging paddling against the current on the return trip but the guides made us feel safe.

Nice trip ! Gary Kenney and Celix were very professional and made the experience memorable despite a heckler. Be advised you will see the glowing effect but it’s not as bright as many highly filtered pictures. They were very accommodating when we couldn’t... read moreGary Kenney and Celix were very professional and made the experience memorable despite a heckler. Be advised you will see the glowing effect but it’s not as bright as many highly filtered pictures. They were very accommodating when we couldn’t make our previous reservation and switched it with ease. read less

¡Muy buena! Mi experiencia de usar un kayak por primera vez fue muy buena, por la orientación de excelentes guía

Beautiful The trip was beautiful. We were lucky to have little moonlight. Even the experience of rowing through the passages to the bio bay was cool. I wish there would have been time in the bio bay to play around but... read moreThe trip was beautiful. We were lucky to have little moonlight. Even the experience of rowing through the passages to the bio bay was cool. I wish there would have been time in the bio bay to play around but it goes pretty quickly then you are back kayaking in the complete dark. It was worth it. read less

Great experience!! We took the Bio bay trip with Island Kayaking Adventure. Excellent tour guides! Great experience kayaking through the mangroves with arguing couples because one of them is not rowing in the right direction. Quite funny! ... read moreWe took the Bio bay trip with Island Kayaking Adventure. Excellent tour guides! Great experience kayaking through the mangroves with arguing couples because one of them is not rowing in the right direction. Quite funny! Guides put a tarp so we could see more. We took the earlier tour which was great since you get to start with daylight and enjoy the view.
Make sure you put on bug spray. Overall we had a wonderful time although the bioluminescence has not been a 100% lately. read less

Good unusual experience I was reading reviews and people complaining about group size. Yes, it was about 16 kayaks in one group and channel to the bay is pretty narrow but it didn't ruin our experience at all. The bay itself is pretty... read moreI was reading reviews and people complaining about group size. Yes, it was about 16 kayaks in one group and channel to the bay is pretty narrow but it didn't ruin our experience at all. The bay itself is pretty big and there is enough space for 5-6 big groups (or even more). Our guide gave us interesting info about the bay and why plankton is glowing. The night was pretty bright, moon was out. But they had а canopy to cover kayaks and we could see luminescence fine. Very unusual and cool. read less

Bioluminescent kayak tour AWESOME!!!! What else is there to say.The guides where excellant. The weather was a bit windy , but once in the canal, it was peaceful. If you are scared of the dark, this may not be the... read moreAWESOME!!!! What else is there to say.The guides where excellant. The weather was a bit windy , but once in the canal, it was peaceful. If you are scared of the dark, this may not be the best attraction for you, as parts of the canal are completely covered and pitch black, which makes it perfect for seeing the plankton luminate. read less

Great fun!!! We heard about the Bio Bay kayaking tours and decided to try it. I did not plan ahead and found Island Kayaking through the resort concierge. The first few places I called were booked up but Island... read moreWe heard about the Bio Bay kayaking tours and decided to try it. I did not plan ahead and found Island Kayaking through the resort concierge. The first few places I called were booked up but Island Kayaking still had a few openings the week we were there. Called up, booked it and they confirmed everything by text and included explicit directions on how to get there (you will need them...it is not easy to find). Once we arrived, we were checked in quickly by the friendly staff. They recommended that we not take anything with us like phones, cameras, etc...and they would hold our stuff for us (I was a bit weary but it worked out fine). They were right to recommend that we not bring anything because we got soaked.

The guides were great and led us out. We were a group of 15 two person kayaks and they take you across a bay and through dark and curvy channels that look like they are out of Jurassic Park. It is pitch dark other than some moonlight which makes it really fun. You kayak for about 30 minutes or so until you reach another bay, the Bio Bay. They gather you in a group and give you a brief overview and then let you explore around for about 20 minutes. We had a full moon night which is not the best night to do it apparently but you could still see the water light up just when you put your oar in the water. Then they lead you back the way you came. The Bio Bay is really fun and interesting but the big surprise was just the nighttime kayaking through the dark channels. All of our kids loved it!! And the kayaking is very easy and not tiring at all even though you are paddling for over an hour.

When you return to shore, they greet you with water and snacks. They take pictures which they post free of charge on Facebook two days later.

Highly recommend the Bio Bay tour and highly recommend Island Kayaking. About $50 per person. read less

Had a blast! Great tour with three teenagers. Some of the reviews had given me concerns about the trip, but we had a great time and enjoyed seeing the genuine, non-manufactured, natural phenomenon. Main takeaways: 1. The bioluminescent effect (seeing a glow... read moreGreat tour with three teenagers. Some of the reviews had given me concerns about the trip, but we had a great time and enjoyed seeing the genuine, non-manufactured, natural phenomenon. Main takeaways: 1. The bioluminescent effect (seeing a glow around your paddle or hands in the water) is very cool. 2. We went with a waxing, half moon. While the effect might have been more brilliant with less moon, when we stopped in the bay, they had a solution for that--so if your chance to do the tour is at a time with moonlight, don't hesitate. 3. You'll be paddling about 90 or so total minutes at night across a shallow bay and through a winding mangrove lined channel that will have other tour groups heading the other way. There will be about 15 kayaks in a line in your group. You may bump a tree here or there--it's not a big deal. No one tipped and the water is shallow. 4. Main guide and shore staff were great. I thought asst guides could have helped folks into and out of their kayaks more--but that was a small point. 5. Wear something you don't mind getting wet and don't take cameras, wallets, etc. 6. I recommend the tour. read less

Once in a lifetime experience! An absolutely breath taking and mesmerizing experience! Our tour guide's knowledge about the bay seemed unlimited and his passion for the lagoon was contagious! I went for my first time 9 months after Hurricane Maria and to be able to... read moreAn absolutely breath taking and mesmerizing experience! Our tour guide's knowledge about the bay seemed unlimited and his passion for the lagoon was contagious! I went for my first time 9 months after Hurricane Maria and to be able to come back four years later and see how much the lagoon has continued to prosper is truly amazing! We were blessed to have a night where the plankton were at the brightest they have been in a long time. Any time someone asks me about Puerto Rico, I always have to tell them about the bio-bay and there is no other company I would recommend to take you than Island Kayaking Adventures! Thank you for all of the beautiful memories! read less

So cool! Myself and my kids (18 & 21) really enjoyed this adventure! Well organized and Gary and his crew did a great job keeping everyone together. The bay was mesmerising!

Gran tour! Empresa muy recomendable, nos dieron un gran tour con mucha información, siempre predispuestos a ayudar y muy amables!
Muy recomendable!!!!

Awesome time loved it Amazing fun and had funny host helping us for the trip . They all were amazing made the vibes great definitely don’t regret one bit 🙌🏼We had Kenny and his crew forgot all the names but highly recommended

Highlight of our trip! I've never kayaked before, and was nervous from reading some reviews. It was SO EASY! Took absolutely no strength at all. The water was so calm and smooth, we just coasted along. The pitch dark mangrove was so... read moreI've never kayaked before, and was nervous from reading some reviews. It was SO EASY! Took absolutely no strength at all. The water was so calm and smooth, we just coasted along. The pitch dark mangrove was so peaceful, and you follow each other single file, I told my husband I felt like we were on a Disney ride! Then before you know it, it opens up to a huge lagoon where every stroke of your oar, or swish of your hand in the water lights up beautiful blue glow! Magical! I enjoyed the explanation our guide gave about these bioluminescent plankton. Such a cool experience. Then back to the launch, where there are several open air bars and restaurants. Our driver gave us some time to get food and cocktails before taking us back to our resort. Our guides Gary, Manny, Giovanni, and Christian (the best! Christian was the best! 😉 were all so much fun! Loved them all! read less

Awesome & Fun!!! Thalia & Kenny - March 17th 2022 @ 6:45pm. My family was so glad that we chose island kayaking adventure. Actually Natalie @ Brasas y Cultura gave us your info to schedule this trip. The guides were all excellent &... read moreThalia & Kenny - March 17th 2022 @ 6:45pm. My family was so glad that we chose island kayaking adventure. Actually Natalie @ Brasas y Cultura gave us your info to schedule this trip. The guides were all excellent & remained professional & kind, especially to the inexperienced paddlers. It was a pretty bright moon, the guides did everything to make sure we all saw the glow. The guide Thalia was very personable. She was so nice to my 2 daughters and me & my husband. Wish we had met Kenny the guide that night. Kayaking through the mangroves to the lagoon was an amazing & a beautiful experience. You must book this trip! read less

Recommended Highly recommended to visit this tour😍We saw glowing plankton 🌱Gary - Kenneth - BelinWas wery professional, helping and navigating to us all way in canal.

Unique Experience Our life jackets securely on, we waded into the water to get into our two person kayak. The guide held the kayak for us.

Hint: wear water shoes and swim suit or clothes you don't mind getting wet. Use mosquito... read moreOur life jackets securely on, we waded into the water to get into our two person kayak. The guide held the kayak for us.

Hint: wear water shoes and swim suit or clothes you don't mind getting wet. Use mosquito spray.

As the group of about twenty (two person kayaks) got together in the bay, our guide gave us instructions about the path and lights again. Same instructions he gave on land. He gave a quick practice for how to stop, back up, and call what he yells back to others. He told us to watch for outgoing traffic in the narrow mangrove canal that would take us to the open biosphere bay.

We all lined up. Immediately, some had difficulty and we by-passed them. Into the canal we paddled. It grew darker as we progressed. Commands were called. Some were passed back, others we found out about when we sensed or saw the red light of the kayak in front of us stop. We never actually hit.

Finally after about 45 minutes, we were in the open bay. There we regrouped and waited for our guide's instruction.

It was kind of dark in the bay but not as dark as the canal had been. We had seen some glow worms while in the canal. Now, the guide told us we would create our darkness by using a tarp. A tarp was shared over the kayaks as we drew our hands in the waters to see the sparkles--beautiful.

When all had a turn and our second free photo was taken, we lined up again to re-enter the canal.

As we entered, we could barely see. It was pitch black now. And, there was incoming traffic--lots of traffic--including a motorized tour boat. Keeping to the right was essential. It was challenging as we were going against the tide into the large bay where we entered. It felt quite spooky--a little scary--but exciting. At least we knew the length of the canal now.

Upon exiting the canal, our kayak began to rock a bit but we maintained control. The large bay had been calm when we had entered. Now, the bay was choppy and flowing briskly.

We paddled as fast as we could in the darkness across anchor lines to the boat slip--our exit point. We felt exhausted but pleased to have experienced this unique adventure. read less

First Time Kayaking and it was AMAZING Booked the Bio-luminescence tour while our cruise ship was in port. The guides were very helpful, and the plankton was awe inspiring. My wife was less impressed as a first-timer and not as adventurous as I. Wear swim clothes, and... read moreBooked the Bio-luminescence tour while our cruise ship was in port. The guides were very helpful, and the plankton was awe inspiring. My wife was less impressed as a first-timer and not as adventurous as I. Wear swim clothes, and use the offered insect repellent. In our group a few kayaks had to be towed in one direction or another, and I have not laughed so much as I did while we tried to figure out how to work together and not run into mangroves. Will take this tour again, while my wife does another activity... read less

Bioluminescence a bit disappointing but night-time kayaking+constellations are magical. Well-organized tour, super staff Staff was funny and enthusiastic. Pedro and Nester were fantastic hosts. Bioluminescence honestly a bit underwhelming but kayaking at night w the family beneath the stars was a great experience

Super Experiencia Disfrutamos desde el principio hasta el final, el personal es super atento y una experiencia para repetir sin duda alguna.

Great experience, but highly commercialized I’ve seen a lot of highly critical reviews of the tour with relevant points, so I wanted to provide a review based on what I had seen before. The kayaking experience was lovely and my partner listed it as his... read moreI’ve seen a lot of highly critical reviews of the tour with relevant points, so I wanted to provide a review based on what I had seen before. The kayaking experience was lovely and my partner listed it as his favorite part of our time in Puerto Rico. I really enjoyed the experience, but there were some things that I wish I knew going into the experience as far as managing expectations (These comments likely hold for any of the tours in Fajardo/ Laguna Grande, I just took the Island Kayaking Adventure tour.)

(1) First and foremost, the bioluminescence is pretty weak relative to past experiences I’ve had. Is it still magical? Absolutely. That said, it’s unlikely that you’ll see animals glowing under your kayak and you have to look pretty carefully to see the glow of the water as you paddle.

(2) Perhaps a little more frustrating for me, it felt as though our time actually in laguna grande was short and rushed relative to the length of the whole experience. It’s over a km kayak through the mangroves in the dark to get to laguna grande. If nighttime kayaking is your thing (as it was for my partner and I) then it was still a really enjoyable experience. However, if you are expecting 30 minutes or more with bioluminescence you are going to be disappointed. In our tour, it even seemed based on what I overheard the tour guides were saying to one another about the timing that they cut our experience in laguna grande short for timing purposes because it took our group too long to kayak to the bay.

(3) Relatedly, the entire experience was VERY commercialized. Large groups, many tour companies, and different tour groups running into one another. It created log jams as we kayaked into the bay that weren’t helped by countless folks with zero clue how to kayak.

(4) They had bug spray (the nice Off Clean Feel Kind 😊) so don’t worry about picking up your own prior to the tour (that said, there are enterprising local shops that do sell it for an upcharge if this turns out to be incorrect for your particular tour).

I mention all of these to help manage expectations. I genuinely still enjoyed my experience, and the tour group certainly did a great job and provided nice directions on where to park/go for the tour, but if you do have the time and ability I may try going to Vieques or somewhere just a tad less touristy. read less

Self defense The tour was amazing! However if you end up next to inexperienced kayakers watch yourself. I got hit In the face by someone’s paddle and a nice bruise.

Less moonlight the better The night of our tour, the moon was too bright (that’s what we were told) so unfortunately we could not see the glowing in the water. The guides provided a tarp for us to wear over and it did help... read moreThe night of our tour, the moon was too bright (that’s what we were told) so unfortunately we could not see the glowing in the water. The guides provided a tarp for us to wear over and it did help a little for us to see but not much. Experience was still fun and informative regardless. Pedro was funny and engaged in conversation with us throughout most of it, the other guides not so much read less

Great company and unique experience Everyone that helped us check in and take us on the tour was helpful and accommodating. The bioluminescence was pretty good when we went. It was a very unique experience and I’m glad we did it.

Excelente Experiencia De las mejores experiencias que he tenido en Puerto Rico. El equipo de trabajo muy amable y te explican aspectos científicos referentes a los organismos bioluminiscentes. Los recomiendo al 100%.

Delightful experience with hilarious guides-the great wet adventure! We traveled as two couples who wanted to see the wondrous bioluminesent organisms as seen in the movie Pi. We were thoroughly prepared by the booking agent Hanna so we knew it was going to be an adventure! ... read moreWe traveled as two couples who wanted to see the wondrous bioluminesent organisms as seen in the movie Pi. We were thoroughly prepared by the booking agent Hanna so we knew it was going to be an adventure! About 24 guests were in our group; all boats were two person kayaks. We learned the rules of kayaking as a group, were assisted into our boats, and paddled off to the mangrove forest on our way to the Lagoon of bioluminescence. Screeching pterodactyl like birds flew around us and fish jumped about in the waters, sometimes making it into your kayak! I felt as if I was in the amazon! After many curving turns, we made it into the large moonlit Lagoon hoping for a glimpse of the elusive organisms. We viewed them surrounding the boat as well as when we splashed our hands in the water. It was awesome and surreal. The guides were always joking with us or offering up information on the environment. It was a trip I'll never forget. It was full of fun, never a dull moment! read less

Family adventure We booked this adventure and was my first time in this place and kayaking a ton night, we had so much fun and we learned about it too. My brother also joined us in this adventure and he loved the... read moreWe booked this adventure and was my first time in this place and kayaking a ton night, we had so much fun and we learned about it too. My brother also joined us in this adventure and he loved the movie out. The tour guides keep us safe during the process and also they give us a little history about the so rounded areas. I recommend. read less