Puerto Rico's Phosphorescent
Bays by Gilda Fisher
 Imagine
the blackness of the sea on a moonless night. Now watch it sparkle with
the darting lights of a million fireflies. Hidden along the Caribbean coast
is one of the most spectacular Bioluminescent Bays or Phosphorescent Bays
in the world. A trip into the bay is a magical experience.
Fish flash by in dark water,
and swimming is like floating through a glow in the dark picture. Nature
lovers will not want to miss the phenomenal experience of visiting a tropical
phosphorescent bay!
The phosphorescence is actually
bioluminescence generated by microscopic organisms in the water. It is
believed to be part of a natural defense system triggered by the movement
of predators. Many scientists believe the tiny organisms light up so their
predators can see more desirable prey - and thus leave them alone.
 The
phenomenon occurs sporadically in warm seas around the world, but Puerto
Rico is one of the only places on the planet where you can depend on it
every evening at two different protected bays. The best known is at La
Parguera, between Mayagüez and Ponce in the southwest of the island,
a cottage industry village that is based on showing the bay to visitors.
The more spectacular phosphorescent
bay is in Vieques, the island municipality off of the main island's northeastern
shore. To get to Vieques you may choose to take the ferry, which takes
about an hour and is very inexpensive or, a small plane, which only takes
a few minutes.
The most unique nights to
go are the first and second nights after the full moon, as the moon rises
an hour after sunset the first night and, almost two hours as the moon
rises after sunset on the second night. This gives you time to experience
the bioluminescence with no moon and then watch the moon rise. The experience
of seeing--and being surrounded by--this eerie light is nothing less than
magical!
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For accommodation in Puerto
Rico, visit All
World Vacation Station
About the Author: Gilda Fisher
is the General Manager of Vacation Rentals in Puerto Rico - ESJ Towers
(http://www.vacationrentals-pr.com).
This website specializes in beachfront rentals at ESJ Towers CondoHotel
in Isla Verde, Puerto Rico. |
