Afternoon Vieques Beach & Bio Bay from San Juan

Guided

Duration: 11 hours

San Juan • Vieques

Features

Kid Friendly

Locally Owned

Wildlife

Shuttle Included

Small Group Sizes

Beginner Friendly

Free Cancellation

On the Water

Instant Book

$200 Person

(Ages 4+)

Description

Experience Vieques: Beach Afternoon & Bioluminescent Bay Adventure!

Discover the magic of Vieques in just one day with our exclusive Beach + Bio Bay Tour from San Juan—no overnight stay required! This VIP itinerary combines relaxation on one of Puerto Rico’s most stunning beaches with the unforgettable glow of Mosquito Bay, the world’s brightest bioluminescent bay.

Spend the afternoon unwinding at Sun Bay or Esperanza Beach (location based on weather conditions), then enjoy a scenic dinner and sunset stroll along Esperanza’s Malecón before heading out on a clear-bottom kayak adventure through Mosquito Bay. As you paddle through the stunning mangrove channels, watch the water come alive with a breathtaking glowing blue light—a natural wonder that must be seen to be believed!

This fully guided experience includes round-trip transfers from San Juan and ferry tickets to Vieques. While ferry schedules are subject to availability, we handle all logistics to make your journey seamless. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime adventure in Puerto Rico!

Itinerary

Upon arrival, our guide will give you complete pre-ride instructions.

The provided times are approximate.

Pick-Up at Hotel in San Juan: Our agent will contact you by text message and notify your Hotel pick-up time one day prior to the trip. Departure from San Juan to Ceiba Ferry Terminal is at 12:45 pm. Travel time from San Juan to Ceiba Ferry Terminal is 1-hr. and 10 minutes. We provide light snacks and beverages once we arrive at Ceiba Ferry Terminal.
Ferry Ride to Vieques Island: Ferry check-in is 1 hour prior to the scheduled ferry departure time. The Ferry travel time to Vieques Island from Ceiba is around 45-60 minutes approximately, depending on the sea weather conditions. Monday to Friday the ferry departs at 3:00 pm (Check-in at 2:00 pm) and returns at 9:30 pm (Check-in at 9:00 pm).
Sunbay Beach / Esperanza Beach: Sunbay Beach and Esperanza Beach in Vieques are two of the most amazing places to relax and enjoy beautiful, crystal-clear waters in a peaceful paradise! We will visit one or the other depending on itinerary timing and sea weather conditions for about 1-hour. Half-moon-shaped Sun Bay Beach has it all: palm-lined sand, clear turquoise waters, sparse crowds, and pretty much all the facilities a beach-goer could want. As one of the most accessible beaches on Vieques — as well as the only beach offering public facilities — it’s a popular option for day-trippers to the island. The water is calm, with only a few gentle waves, so it’s an ideal beach for swimming, particularly at the far eastern end.
Walk & Dinner at El Malecon: El Malecon is a favorite hangout for both visitors and residents on the charming coast of Barrio Esperanza on the south side of Vieques. Visitors can choose from a variety of restaurants ranging from casual to finer cuisine with the bonus of a gorgeous sunset every afternoon of the year.
Guided Bio Bay Clear Bottom Kayak Tour: You will feel as if you are on another planet as the water comes to life in a magnificent glowing spectacle that must be seen to be believed! An adventure not to be missed while on Vieques Island.
Ferry Ride Back to Ceiba: After a full day on Vieques Island, we will take a ferry ride back to Ceiba.
Transfer Back to San Juan: About a 1 hour and 10 minute ride back to San Juan, we will arrive in San Juan around 11:45 pm.

Duration of Adventure

11 Hours

Location / Where to Meet

You will be picked up right at your hotel or accommodation address in San Juan.

Ages & Requirements

A minimum age of 4 years is allowed on the tour.
Tandem kayaks have 2 people per kayak and have a combined maximum weight of 380 lbs (172.4 kg).
First-timer kayakers are welcome. Most of our clients are first-time kayakers, so we provide you with a briefing about how to kayak prior to the excursion.
Not recommended for pregnant women 6 months or further along.
Requires a minimum of 6 guests.
Not recommended for guests who have epilepsy, heart conditions, dizziness, or recent surgery.
We do not provide private maritime transportation to Vieques. The tickets included in our Vieques Ferry Package are for the public ferry. The Puerto Rico Maritime Transportation Authority (PRMTA) operates this ferry. We are not affiliated with the PRMTA. Therefore, we are not responsible nor can control the ferry schedule in any way.

What’s Included

Round Trip Ground Transportation from San Juan to Ceiba Ferry Terminal
Ferry Tickets
Ferry Round Trip from Ceiba to Vieques Island
Land Transfers in Vieques
Visit Sun Bay or Esperanza Beach
Stop at El Malecon at Esperanza for Dinner
Guided Bio Bay Clear Bottom Kayak Tour
Bottled Water and Light Snacks

Not Included

Gratuity - Never expected but if you have a great experience, please consider gifting 10-25% to your guides!
Dinner is not included in the price, please bring cash or another way to pay for dinner at one of the restaurants.

What to Bring / Wear

Swimsuit and/or Quick Drying Clothing
Water shoes or Sandals with Straps
Reef-Safe Sunscreen & Other Sun Protection - Sunglasses, Hats, Rashguard, etc.
Towel
Insect Repellent - Deet Free
Dry Bag - Comfortable Bag or Backpack
Water & Snacks
Extra Layers of Clothing - Sweatshirts and Warm Hats
Required Paperwork - Signed medical form if required, waivers, etc.
Waterproof Camera - The company is not responsible for any damaged or lost items.
Please remove any jewelry, watches, or anything that can get damaged by water or you don’t want to lose.

ADVENTURE PROVIDED BY I Ventures Caribbean

FAQs

What sunscreen can I use and why does it matter?

Common sunscreens contain chemicals that can harm coral reefs, as the particles are small enough to be absorbed by corals, causing toxicity and coral bleaching. Reef-friendly sunscreens are formulated without these harmful chemicals. Reef-SAFE sunscreens go a step further by using non-nano particles, which are too large for corals to ingest, helping to preserve marine ecosystems.

Please avoid sunscreens with oxybenzone, octinoxate, and parabens. Consider wearing sun-protective clothing, like long-sleeve rash guards, as an alternative to sunscreen. If you choose a mineral-based sunscreen, ensure it is labeled ‘non-nano.’

Why is Mosquito Bay famous for bioluminescence?

Mosquito Bay in Vieques is famous for its bioluminescence due to the high concentration of dinoflagellates, microscopic organisms that emit a bright, glowing light when disturbed. This natural phenomenon occurs because the dinoflagellates produce light as a defense mechanism to ward off predators. Mosquito Bay stands out as the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world, thanks to its ideal combination of conditions: warm, nutrient-rich waters, minimal pollution, and limited boat traffic. The bay's unique ecosystem and the large number of dinoflagellates create a mesmerizing glow when you disturb the water, making it one of the most awe-inspiring natural sights on Earth.

I’ve never kayaked before; can I still join?

This is a beginner friendly kayaking spot! The lagoon and mangrove tunnels are very calm and a great place to try kayaking for the first time.

If you are looking for more information on beginner kayaking, check out TripOutside’s blog post on Kayaking for Beginners!

When is the best time to see the bioluminescence?

The bioluminescent intensity depends on weather conditions such as rain, tide, moon phase, sunlight and many other natural factors out of our control. Ideally, the best time to visit is around the new moon and during the dry months, December to March with a midsummer dry season June to July.

Where can I learn more about bioluminescence?

Check out our blog describing bioluminescence more in depth at Bioluminescence Kayaking!

Cancellation Policy

STANDARD POLICY

We have a 48-hour cancellation policy for all of our excursions. Up until 48 hours before check-in time, you may change your reservation or cancel it for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 48 hours before check-in time, late arrivals, and “no-shows” will maintain a full charge. All cancellations must be made directly with I VENTURES by telephone or email.

Same-day reservations are considered Final Sales.

We will not admit anyone suspected to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol and strictly enforce this zero-tolerance policy.

This policy also applies to cruise ship passengers.

GROUPS OF 7 OR MORE GUESTS

Groups of 7 or more guests must cancel at least 2 weeks prior to the date of the excursion in order to receive a full refund. Cancellations of groups made in less than 2 weeks prior to the excursion date will maintain a full charge on any spaces we are unable to resell. Guests who are no-shows or late arrivals will receive the full charge.

WEATHER CANCELLATIONS

If we are forced to cancel a tour due to weather conditions, we will offer you the solution that best fits your needs upon availability, including rescheduling to another date, booking another tour, or a full refund. That said, be aware that we are the ones who determine cancellations due to weather conditions. Please do not make the mistake of deciding not to attend because you think the weather might not be acceptable, as you will still be charged if the excursion goes out. If you ever have a question about the weather conditions, please call us to confirm.

If we need to cancel an excursion due to weather conditions we will call to notify you as soon as possible, however, please note that due to the sometimes unpredictable weather in the Caribbean, cancellations may be done the same day on-site.

The tour is not canceled on rainy days; it is still safe, and the water is still glowing under the rain.

FINAL NOTE

Due to the unique nature and small size of our groups, we are forced to remain firm about our cancellation policy. Consider that on the day of your excursion we will be there, on-site, waiting, and ready to serve you. Regardless of the cancellation reason, our time and fixed costs are already invested; we may even have turned down other customers by holding your space. Thank you for understanding!

Ferry & Schedule Notice

We do not provide private maritime transportation to Vieques. The tickets included in our Vieques Ferry Package are for the public ferry. The Puerto Rico Maritime Transportation Authority (PRMTA) operates this ferry. We are not affiliated with the PRMTA. Therefore, we are not responsible nor can control the ferry schedule in any way.

Our company promotes a 3:00 pm departure to Culebra from Ceiba, In the event we receive tickets for a later departure you will be notified in advance and/or on-site. Your group will be offered the option to confirm an excursion with a later departure, reschedule to another day, reschedule to another excursion, or cancel with a full refund.

For this reason, we must be at the Ceiba Ferry Terminal at check-in time. Otherwise, you may miss the ferry. In that case, you will not be able to get to Vieques on time for the tour. Finally, the excursion start time is subject to the arrival time of the ferry to Vieques.

I VENTURES does not sell ferry tickets.

Availability

May 2025

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Reviews

Location

Address

151 Calle San Francisco Suite 200

San Juan, PR, 00901

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