Bio-Bay in Vieques

photo courtesy of Doug Myerscough - www.murals.com

Bioluminescent Bay is a "Must See" when you are in Vieques, a once in a lifetime experience which draws visitors from all over the world.  Recognized as one of the most spectacular remaining bioluminescent bays in the world, Bio Bay's luminescence is nearly impossible to photograph. It is spectacular and must be seen to be appreciated.  Any movement of the water causes it to glow in the dark; therefore, it is best viewed on a moonless night.

Here is what photographer and artist Doug Myerscough had to say about photographing with long exposures in Bio-Bay:

"...some interesting effects, but they are nothing like the experience of the bay - merely people flapping their arms and legs, creating a glow on film that looks nothing like the real glow of the bay.  The true experienceof the bio-bay is much more subtle, ethereal, and infinitely more beautiful. Someday, with digital imaging becoming more sensitive, someone will be able to get a stop action still photograph that really captures the magic of this place. Like the Aurora Borealis before high speed film;  the emotional presence, the true color, and the true feel of the bioluminescent bay is still better represented by the artist, than the photographer."

The luminescence in Mosquito Bay (AKA Bio Bay) is caused by microscopic one-celled organisms called dinoflagellates. The micro-organisms' scientific name is Pyrodinium bahamense. They are part animal because they move around and part plant because they photosynthesize sunlight using chlorophyll. How or why do they glow? They emit a bright glow whenever they are agitated, or moved around, a built-in defense mechanism that makes these single-cell creatures seem larger than the actually are (1/500") to predators. 

I remember when I first moved to Vieques, I went to Bio-Bay on the dive boat from 18° North and on the way into the bay there was a huge school of glowing objects swimming out of the bay. As we drove through it, we realized it was a large school of squid, which had just left the bay after feeding on a few of the trillions of plankton there. Their transparent bodies glowed brightly showing they had indeed gotten a belly full.

Because the viewing of Bio-Bay is affected by light, even the reflected light of the moon can dim an otherwise incredible experience. Therefore, there are times when it is less than optimum to

dinoflagellates

venture out on the bay. It is best viewed during a New to Waxing or Waning moon, or before moon rise or after moon set. A full moon is not  the bio bay.

 

There are couple of different ways to see the bay. One is by electric boat with Island Adventures. Mark Martin and crew are well versed on the bay and its unique surrounding eco-system, as well as the features of the night sky. You'll receive an excellent experience and an education. Swimming is encouraged, but you can stay high and dry during this tour, if you choose.

The remainder of the ecologically sound tours of the bay are a lot closer to the water and are self-propelled in kayaks. It's a more hands-on experience and you can't help but get wet. These tours are very entertaining and informative as well. The magic of being in the water and watching it glow around you as you move is beyond words.....submitted by the Webmaster

Contact the Tour Guides:
Island Adventures Inc. 0720
Aqua Frenzy Kayaks 787-741-0913
Blue Caribe Kayaks 787-741-2522
Abe's Snorkeling & Bio Bay Tours 787-741-2134
Vieques Adventure Co 787-692-9162
Travesias Yaureibo Kayaks 447-4104
Bayoya Adventure 955-9506

The calendars below may help you plan your trip to Vieques if experiencing Bio Bay is of primary importance to you.

Interactive Moon Phase Calendar

2013 Phases of the Moon
Greenwich Mean Time
Atlantic Standard Time subtract 4 hours from GMT

New Moon First Quarter Full Moon Last Quarter d h m d h m d h m d h m Jan 5 3 58 Jan 11 19 44 Jan 18 23 45 Jan 27 4 38 Feb 3 13 56 Feb 10 7 20 Feb 17 20 31 Feb 25 20 26 Mar 4 21 53 Mar 11 19 51 Mar 19 17 27 Mar 27 9 27 Apr 3 4 36 Apr 10 9 35 Apr 18 12 31 Apr 25 19 57 May 2 11 14 May 10 0 28 May 18 4 34 May 25 4 25 May 31 18 58 Jun 8 15 56 Jun 16 17 24 Jun 23 11 32 Jun 30 4 53 Jul 8 7 14 Jul 16 3 18 Jul 22 18 15 Jul 29 17 43 Aug 6 21 51 Aug 14 10 56 Aug 21 1 45 Aug 28 9 35 Sep 5 11 36 Sep 12 17 08 Sep 19 11 13 Sep 27 3 55 Oct 5 0 34 Oct 11 23 02 Oct 18 23 38 Oct 26 23 40 Nov 3 12 50 Nov 10 5 57 Nov 17 15 16 Nov 25 19 28 Dec 3 0 22 Dec 9 15 12 Dec 17 9 28 Dec 25 13 48

2014 Phases of the Moon Universal Time New Moon First Quarter Full Moon Last Quarter d h m d h m d h m d h m Jan 1 11 14 Jan 8 3 39 Jan 16 4 52 Jan 24 5 20 Jan 30 21 38 Feb 6 19 22 Feb 14 23 53 Feb 22 17 15 Mar 1 8 00 Mar 8 13 27 Mar 16 17 08 Mar 24 1 46 Mar 30 18 45 Apr 7 8 31 Apr 15 7 42 Apr 22 7 52 Apr 29 6 14 May 7 3 15 May 14 19 16 May 21 12 59 May 28 18 40 Jun 5 20 39 Jun 13 4 11 Jun 19 18 39 Jun 27 8 08 Jul 5 11 59 Jul 12 11 25 Jul 19 2 08 Jul 26 22 42 Aug 4 0 50 Aug 10 18 09 Aug 17 12 26 Aug 25 14 13 Sep 2 11 11 Sep 9 1 38 Sep 16 2 05 Sep 24 6 14 Oct 1 19 32 Oct 8 10 51 Oct 15 19 12 Oct 23 21 57 Oct 31 2 48 Nov 6 22 23 Nov 14 15 15 Nov 22 12 32 Nov 29 10 06 Dec 6 12 27 Dec 14 12 51 Dec 22 1 36 Dec 28 18 31

One Traveler's Account of a Trip to Bio-Bay