BIOLUMINESCENT BAY OF LA PARGUERA
Commonly called Bio bay, the bioluminescent bay of La Parguera attracts thousands of tourists every year. It must be said that the phenomenon is rare. There are five bays on the planet, including three in Puerto Rico. At nightfall, glows are perceptible once you enter the water. They are emitted by dinoflagellates, micro-organisms that react by signaling themselves with a small neon light when the water is agitated around them. It is therefore useless to observe the water from the shore, because nothing will happen.
La Parguera is not the most bioluminescent in Puerto Rico, but it is the least crowded, to ensure your peace and quiet. The concentration of dinoflagellates in the waters of Fajardo and especially in Vieques is much higher. Pollution and climate change have greatly affected the biological environment of these fragile microorganisms.
To ensure their survival, many factors are essential: the presence of mangroves that contribute to their feeding, a low variability of water temperature and the absence of pollution by artificial lights or chemicals. If you want to contribute to the preservation of this biological treasure, choose to visit it by kayak. Swimming causes water pollution from perfume, sunscreen or mosquito repellent that visitors often carry with them as they enter the water.