There are only two places on earth where visitors can count on seeing a brilliant blue glow lighting up the ocean waters every night and both places are to be found in Puerto Rico. The magical underwater lightshow is caused by a species of bioluminescent dinoflagellates called Pyrodimium Bahamense, and the greatest concentration of these can be found in the easternmost of the two "bio bays," Puerto Mosquito on Vieques Island, just off the coast of mainland Puerto Rico.
Microscopic Night-Lights
These single-celled, half-animal, half-plant micro-organisms thrive in the unique set of conditions found within this bay, allowing for the incredible display of their bioluminescence. The bright light we see is a brilliant defense mechanism that these microscopic creatures have developed over millennia. Its purpose is to cast light on an attacking predator, drawing larger fish to attack the would-be predator before it can snack on the protozoans.The light itself is caused by the chemical mixing of oxygen and a chemical called luciferin that the Pyrodimium Bahamense store within their cells. The organisms set off the reaction when they feel disturbances in nearby water and the light they produce is bright enough to read a book by. Here you can watch a video of a fish swimming through the bioluminescent water.
Guided Tours of the Bio Bay
Because these tiny organisms don’t hurt humans, a brisk tourist industry has sprung up in Puerto Mosquito. During the day, tourists can go on guided kayak tours of the beautiful mangrove forests, photographing the aviary population of the island. At night all attention turns to the lagoons as glass bottomed boats, kayaks, and pontoon boats set out for unforgettable encounters with the microscopic citizens of the bay. There is nothing in the world like diving into water that glows brightly as you swim through it and this is the highlight of many a vacationer’s sightseeing. The less-adventurous can run their hands through the water from their boat and watch as their hands and arms are illuminated by the incredible bluish-green light.
Pollution is Dimming the Glow
Despite the fact that these wondrous creatures don’t hurt us, we may be hurting them. There is a very delicate ecosystem that supports Puerto Rico’s two bioluminescent bays and human interaction is already starting to show signs of diminishing the Bahamense populations. Pollution is the main culprit, and a lot of it was done by the U.S. Navy, who occupied 70% of the island until it closed its operations there in May of 1999. The Navy admitted that it had tested radioactive depleted uranium shells on the island and after the Navy’s departure the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) put in a recommendation that the U.S. previously Navy occupied areas of the island be declared Superfund sites and that the Navy be responsible for their cleanup and restoration.
Protecting the Bay's Tiny Inhabitants
Some of the people vying to protect the island and its miraculous Mosquito bay are the tour guide companies that depend on the magical, glowing protozoan for their livelihoods. As part of the official tours, the guides discuss the fragile ecosystem of the bay and how the natural conditions that make it unique in the world must be protected in order to continue enjoying the nightly lightshow. Tourists are encouraged to take only photographs and leave behind only their footprints.
The Ultimate Vacation Getaway
The bioluminescent bay at Puerto Mosquito on Vieques Island truly is one of the eight hidden natural wonders of the world and a trip out to the island should be made by any vacationer looking to do see something unique and spectacular during their holiday.
Tours can be arranged by contacting Island Adventures. Their phone number is (787) 741-0720 and their website can be found here.
Walter F. Rodriguez - Walter F. Rodriguez is an actor/writer from northern New Jersey currently working for The Onion, the top comedy newspaper/tv station in ...
