Condado Lagoon Night Guided Tour - Kayak or SUP

A night tour in Condado Lagoon is one of the most unique and magical experiences you can have in San Juan. Once the sun sets, the lagoon becomes calm, quiet, and beautifully lit by the city skyline, creating a surreal mix of nature and nightlife. Many night tours use LED-lit boards or kayaks, which illuminate the water beneath you and let you see fish, starfish, and other marine life gliding through the glow. The cooler evening temperatures make paddling easier and more refreshing, and the lagoon is often smoother at night, giving you a relaxing, effortless ride.

Nighttime also brings out different wildlife—manatees tend to move more quietly through the water, and coastal birds settle in along the mangroves. With fewer people on the lagoon, the experience feels peaceful, intimate, and almost dreamlike. Whether you’re looking for a romantic outing, a memorable group activity, or just a totally different way to explore Condado, a night paddle offers a magical perspective you can’t get during the day.

Yes you can! The lagoon’s waters are the perfect place to try paddleboarding for the first time due to the calm waters. Paddleboarding is easy to learn, but we caution you... it is very addictive!

If you are looking for more information on beginner paddleboarding, check out TripOutside’s blog post on Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) Guide for Beginners!

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!

Condado Lagoon is paddle-friendly year-round, thanks to warm tropical temperatures and generally calm waters. The best conditions usually fall between December and April, when skies are sunnier, humidity is lower, and winds are lighter. Summer and early fall are still great for kayaking, but expect hotter weather and occasional afternoon showers. No matter the season, mornings typically offer the calmest water and the clearest visibility—perfect for spotting wildlife and enjoying smooth paddling.

Condado Lagoon is a protected marine reserve, so wildlife sightings are one of the highlights of kayaking here. You might see manatees (the lagoon’s most iconic residents), along with starfish, small fish schools, needlefish, sea cucumbers, crabs, and occasional rays gliding along the bottom. Near the mangroves, you’ll spot herons, egrets, pelicans, and other coastal birds resting or hunting. The water can be crystal clear on calm days, making it easy to look down and see the lagoon’s exciting ecosystem as you glide through.

Falling off a paddleboard is extremely common when learning how to use an SUP for the first time and even common as an experienced paddleboarder! A leash is attached to the board and should stay attached to your ankle at all times so when you fall off the board does not float away and you can use the leash to pull it back towards you. If you are a weak/inexperienced swimmer or have a fear of the water, we recommend you wear your flotation at all times while in the kayak.