Puerto Rico and its luminescent beaches
Destinations 22/06/2023
Why visit Humacao and what to do in the capital of Puerto Rico? Humacao is famous for having some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, its warm and sunny weather (all year round!), makes the beaches of Puerto Rico a popular destination for both tourists and locals.
Most of the beaches in Puerto Rico have white sands and crystal clear waters, ideal for sunbathing, water sports and enjoying the natural beauty of the island. However, when night falls, three of its most beautiful beaches become an impressive light show.
What is the reason for the brightness of these Puerto Rican beaches? The reason is unicellular microorganisms called dinoflagellates, which produce that ethereal neon blue-green light, as a result of the process of photosynthesis and/or defense mechanism (for example, when touched with hands or moved by fish).
This wonderful natural phenomenon, called bioluminescence, occurs on several beaches around the world, although they are not very numerous. However, the island of Puerto Rico has three luminescent beaches: Bahía de Mosquito en Vieques, Laguna Grande in Fajardo and La Parguera Bay in Lajas.
These bays are considered some of the most impressive in the world due to their high concentration of dinoflagellates. The luminescent beaches of Puerto Rico are a unique and spectacular tourist attraction that offers an unforgettable experience for those looking to enjoy this natural beauty.
If you want to enjoy the glow of these luminescent beaches in Puerto Rico, you have to know that it will depend on several factors, such as the concentration of unicellular microorganisms and/or the amount of light pollution. Don't worry! We leave you some tips:
• The luminescence does not have seasonality on the beaches of Puerto Rico, therefore, it can be seen throughout the year!
• Avoid nights with a full moon: the less light, the better you will be able to appreciate the blue-green light of the dinoflagellates.
• Try to know the % of brightness in previous days: the temperature and the tides affect this ecosystem of microorganisms, it is better to see them when their brightness is higher than 30%.
Mosquito Bay or Mosquito Beach is located on a small island called Vieques, east of Puerto Rico. Despite its size, this bay, due to its closed mouth and shallow water, is one of the best places to see this unique natural phenomenon.
Mosquito Beach is one of the brightest in the world, as indicated by its entry in the Guinness Book of Records! How can you experience it with your own eyes? An organized kayak or boat trip is the best way to do it.
La Parguera is a beautiful and picturesque bay located in the municipality of Lajas, on the southwest coast of Puerto Rico. It is known for its impressive mangrove ecosystem and crystal clear, turquoise waters, making it a popular destination for those looking to enjoy nature and the sea.
This bay was the first luminescent beach discovered in Puerto Rico, although it is the least bright of the three, it does not detract from its great beauty. You can enjoy the glow of its microorganisms in a kayak or in a boat with a transparent bottom.
Laguna Grande is located in Fajardo, east of the island of Puerto Rico. This mangrove ecosystem, characteristic of this lagoon, feeds the microorganisms that are responsible for bioluminescence. It is the first most visited luminescent beach in Puerto Rico, due to its proximity and the second most resplendent!
There are several companies that offer night excursions to experience bioluminescence in the Laguna Grande. Visitors can paddle out in kayaks or motor boats to explore the bay and enjoy the natural beauty of this fascinating phenomenon.
If you want to enjoy the luminescent beaches in Puerto Rico, Park Royal Homestay Club Cala Puerto Rico is the perfect hotel. Located in Humacao between two golf courses (great plan to do during the day) it offers a variety of spaces and services ideal for a totally pleasant stay.
Visit us and choose among the 104 perfectly equipped rooms and enjoy the spa and gym. In addition, you can relax in its outdoor pools or practice sports in the open air, such as tennis, paddle tennis and/or take a bicycle route.
Most of the beaches in Puerto Rico have white sands and crystal clear waters, ideal for sunbathing, water sports and enjoying the natural beauty of the island. However, when night falls, three of its most beautiful beaches become an impressive light show.
What is the reason for the brightness of these Puerto Rican beaches? The reason is unicellular microorganisms called dinoflagellates, which produce that ethereal neon blue-green light, as a result of the process of photosynthesis and/or defense mechanism (for example, when touched with hands or moved by fish).
This wonderful natural phenomenon, called bioluminescence, occurs on several beaches around the world, although they are not very numerous. However, the island of Puerto Rico has three luminescent beaches: Bahía de Mosquito en Vieques, Laguna Grande in Fajardo and La Parguera Bay in Lajas.
These bays are considered some of the most impressive in the world due to their high concentration of dinoflagellates. The luminescent beaches of Puerto Rico are a unique and spectacular tourist attraction that offers an unforgettable experience for those looking to enjoy this natural beauty.
If you want to enjoy the glow of these luminescent beaches in Puerto Rico, you have to know that it will depend on several factors, such as the concentration of unicellular microorganisms and/or the amount of light pollution. Don't worry! We leave you some tips:
• The luminescence does not have seasonality on the beaches of Puerto Rico, therefore, it can be seen throughout the year!
• Avoid nights with a full moon: the less light, the better you will be able to appreciate the blue-green light of the dinoflagellates.
• Try to know the % of brightness in previous days: the temperature and the tides affect this ecosystem of microorganisms, it is better to see them when their brightness is higher than 30%.
Do you know Mosquito Beach in Puerto Rico?
Mosquito Bay or Mosquito Beach is located on a small island called Vieques, east of Puerto Rico. Despite its size, this bay, due to its closed mouth and shallow water, is one of the best places to see this unique natural phenomenon.
Mosquito Beach is one of the brightest in the world, as indicated by its entry in the Guinness Book of Records! How can you experience it with your own eyes? An organized kayak or boat trip is the best way to do it.
Discover La Parquera in Lajas
La Parguera is a beautiful and picturesque bay located in the municipality of Lajas, on the southwest coast of Puerto Rico. It is known for its impressive mangrove ecosystem and crystal clear, turquoise waters, making it a popular destination for those looking to enjoy nature and the sea.
This bay was the first luminescent beach discovered in Puerto Rico, although it is the least bright of the three, it does not detract from its great beauty. You can enjoy the glow of its microorganisms in a kayak or in a boat with a transparent bottom.
Laguna Grande de Fajardo
Laguna Grande is located in Fajardo, east of the island of Puerto Rico. This mangrove ecosystem, characteristic of this lagoon, feeds the microorganisms that are responsible for bioluminescence. It is the first most visited luminescent beach in Puerto Rico, due to its proximity and the second most resplendent!
There are several companies that offer night excursions to experience bioluminescence in the Laguna Grande. Visitors can paddle out in kayaks or motor boats to explore the bay and enjoy the natural beauty of this fascinating phenomenon.
Tu hogar en Park Royal Homestay Club Cala Puerto Rico
If you want to enjoy the luminescent beaches in Puerto Rico, Park Royal Homestay Club Cala Puerto Rico is the perfect hotel. Located in Humacao between two golf courses (great plan to do during the day) it offers a variety of spaces and services ideal for a totally pleasant stay.
Visit us and choose among the 104 perfectly equipped rooms and enjoy the spa and gym. In addition, you can relax in its outdoor pools or practice sports in the open air, such as tennis, paddle tennis and/or take a bicycle route.
