Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
diving and snorkeling. Especially off the west coast, the water is clear and filled with fish.
An abundant supply of sea grass is home to crabs, octopus, starfish and a great variety of
fish. Among these, the parrot fish, eels and sea horses are the most exciting. For more about
exploring the waters of Puerto Rico,
Click here
.
BRIGHT LIGHTS, BLACK WATER
There are seven known regions worldwide that are phosphorescent - meaning they
glow in the dark thanks to micro-organisms called dynoflagellates living in the water
- but Puerto Rico's are considered among the brightest and the best.
There are three places on the island to see this psychedelic phenomenon: Bahía
Mosquito in Vieques, Bahía de Fosforescente at La Parguera and Laguna Grande
north of Fajardo. The most abundant of the many organisms in Puerto Rico's 'phos-
phorous' bays is
Pirodinium bahamense
. The term 'Pirodinium' comes from 'pyro,'
meaning fire, and 'dirium,' meaning rotate.
When movement disturbs these creatures, a chemical reaction takes place in their
little bodies that makes a flash. Scientists speculate that dynoflagellates have deve-
loped this ability to ward off predators.
You can see these micro-organisms flashing like tiny stars in Atlantic waters as far
north as New England in summer, but never in the brilliant concentrations appearing
in Puerto Rico. Enclosed mangrove bays, where narrow canals limit the exchange of
water with the open sea, are the places that let the dynoflagellates breed and concen-
trate. In a sense, the bay is a big trap and vitamins produced along the shore provide
food for the corralled micro-organisms.
Not surprisingly, bioluminescent bays support precarious ecosystems. To avoid
damaging them, only book tours with operators who use kayaks or electric motors.
Island Adventures (
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) is on Vieques, which has the best bay of the three.
Yokahú Kayaks (
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) covers the Fajardo bay, which is the second-best op-
tion.
In La Parguera, home to the third bay (
Click here
), most tour operators only use
motorized engines and are not recommended. The bioluminescence has been greatly
reduced as a consequence. If you're offered a ride, check that it will be in a boat
that's safe for the environment.
