We Snorkeled in a Bioluminescent Bay!
Channel: Messy Suitcase!
Date: 2022-02-27

There is nothing more incredible than swimming or snorkeling in a bioluminescent bay, actually immersing your body into the dark water on a cloudy or moonless night as the microorganisms sparkle all around you. It was an epic experience! 

The only one that allows swimming in Puerto Rico is at La Parguera, on the southwest end of the island.

We chose Aleli Tours, a one-man operation that operates out of the tiny marine village of La Parguera, for a powerboat ride into the bay. Our captain, Ismael Ramos Soler, was a U.S. Coast Guard-certified captain, marine biologist and ecologist with over 30 years of experience. He took us out in his boat on a choppy ride into the wind, and then stopped and anchored in the middle of the dark, quiet bay. He unfurled a ladder and allowed us to swim for as long as we wanted. We had brought our snorkel gear. (The cost was $150 for a two hour private tour, for up to six people.)

Bioluminescence is a natural wonder that can be seen in only 5 locations on earth, three of them in Puerto Rico. Bioluminescent water is like a mosaic of light resembling fireflies. This natural phenomenon is caused by organisms called Pyrodinium bahamense, Dinoflagellates (dinos), which produce a bright burst of blue light when they come into contact with another organism or are shaken. 

Swimming in the bay among the dinoflagellates felt almost like a drug high, as we slowly wafted our hands back and forth in front of our faces and watches sparkles radiate out from our fingertips. What an unforgettable experience!

Lisa was afraid we would be cold, but the boat ride back, with the wind at our backs, was very pleasant.

Links:
La Parguera Bioluminescent Bay: https://www.discoverpuertorico.com/profile/la-parguera-bioluminescent-bay/9054
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/MDwPaCXPFioaFzvt9
Aleli Tours: http://aleliecotours.com/
Vieques Bioluminescent Bay: https://vieques.com/island-bioluminescent-bay (This is not the bay we visited, but the site has good info about the bioluminescence phenomenon.)

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Editing: Beto Greenawalt
Titles and Design: Lisa Hamm-Greenawalt, Hammster Media LLC
Music: "Little Tomcat" by Josh Woodward. Free download at joshwoodward.com.