In short
- Wear a swimsuit or quick-dry clothes.
- Bring strapped water shoes or sandals (no flip-flops).
- Apply eco-friendly bug spray before you arrive.
In this article
Getting ready for a night kayak tour in Fajardo requires a little planning. You paddle a sit-on-top kayak, so water will splash into your lap. Bringing the right clothes and protective gear keeps you comfortable during the 1.5-mile paddle through the dark mangroves.
What clothes should I wear for kayaking?
Wear a swimsuit or quick-drying athletic clothing.
Choose materials that dry fast. Avoid cotton, as it stays wet and heavy. A light long-sleeve shirt is useful. It protects you from mosquitoes and keeps you warm in the cooler night air.
What shoes are best for the bio bay?
You need water shoes or sandals with an ankle strap.
Bare feet and flip-flops are not allowed. You enter the kayak from the sandy Launch Beach. This requires wading into water up to your calves. Secure water shoes protect your feet and stay on in the mud.
How do I deal with mosquitoes?
Apply an eco-friendly mosquito repellent before arriving at the bay.
Mosquitoes live in the mangrove channel. Use bug spray to avoid bites. Tour rules require you to apply it on land. Never spray repellent over the water, as the chemicals harm the microscopic dinoflagellates.
What gear can I take on the kayak?
Take only a waterproof phone pouch, bottled water, and yourself.
Space is limited on a two-person kayak. Keep your phone in a waterproof pouch with a neck strap. Flash photography is prohibited because it ruins night vision. Bring cash to tip your licensed guide at the end of the night.
What should I leave in my car?
Leave your towel, a dry change of clothes, and all valuables in your vehicle.
Do not bring anything on the kayak that you want to keep dry. Most visitors park at Las Croabas. Keep a towel and dry clothes there so you can change comfortably after the tour finishes.
Do tour operators provide safety equipment?
Yes, guides provide kayaks, paddles, and US Coast Guard-approved life jackets.
You do not need to bring your own boating gear. Every participant must wear a life jacket properly at all times while on the water. The life jackets are fitted during the 30-minute check-in process.
Questions travellers ask
Are there mosquitoes at the bioluminescent bay?
Yes, mosquitoes are common in the dense red mangrove channel. Apply an eco-friendly bug spray before you reach the launch site to protect yourself.
Will my phone camera capture the bioluminescence?
It is difficult. Most phone cameras struggle in the dark. You cannot use a flash, as it disrupts night vision and disturbs the resting iguanas and birds.
Is it hard to kayak through the mangrove channel?
The 1.5-mile water trail is narrow and dark. You use a two-person sit-on-top kayak. Guides provide instructions, but you must paddle parallel to avoid snagging roots.
