We originally booked the "Puerto Rico's Only Private VIP & Filmed Bio Bay Swim" Tour on Trip Advisor for our group of 9 people. We needed to reschedule the tour to a different day and my friend called Carlos to arrange that. He then recommended she book our group instead directly off his website (Bucket List Tours), and she was instructed to book the "Mystic Waters Under the Sun & Stars" tour as it was supposed to be the same thing, but would be a little bit cheaper for each traveler when booked directly off his site. From what I can tell this is the only tour on his website that involves the bio-bay. We arrived at the pickup point that was emailed to us (1309 Ashford Ave) which is not the same pick up point listed on the Trip Advisor site. We were all staying at a different hotel nearby (about 7 km away), and had to take two separate Uber's (totaling about $40 each due to surge prices). He called my friend to ask where we were and then promptly drove to the location where we were waiting. I am not sure why we could not get picked up from our hotel but we were not too upset about it other than the tour is already pricy and we spent extra money to go to the incorrectly listed pickup point.
It took a little over two hours to get to La Parguera. The drive was long, but beautiful, and Carlos gave us some history about the island. We stopped at the restaurant (which is inside of a nice boutique hotel) to order our dinner ahead of time for later, use the restrooms, and then proceeded to board two pontoon boats to a nearby cay. We spent time there and then watched the sunset. It was beautiful (despite raining off and on all day) and actually the weather cleared up for us to be able to snorkel and see the sunset. Carlos' boat crew consisted of 2 or 3 people and they were very nice and we felt safe. After that we boated over to the bio-bay. The bioluminescent water was absolutely incredible and was like nothing we had ever seen. Carlos and his crew did not rush us and allowed us to take our time exploring. Pool noodles were provided.
After we were done at bio bay we boated back to dock and then drove to have dinner at the boutique hotel . Food and drink prices were not included, but it does state that on the websites. The food was amazing. Some people in our group thought it was a little pricy, but we thought it was fair. After dinner Carlos did take us back to our actual hotel, not the pick-up point, which was nice, consider we had a 4 year old with us.
Some of our group did get upset as they were under impression that Carlos was going to film some of the tour and take photos as this is stated on the Trip Advisor site (and also the title of the tour). On his actual website, there is nothing mentioned about any filming whatsoever. So our tour was exactly as listed on his website. Since our tour I see he has added additional language on the Trip Advisor site stating, "Film of biokumunscent swim is conditio mns dependant and is an added bonus to this experience". In my opinion, when he told us to book on his website for that other tour, I DO think he should have told us the one we were booking did not include the filming - that did seem misleading. And I am not sure what "conditions" he needed, as like I mentioned above, it was definitely raining off and on during the journey there, but was great weather after that. I think our group would have even appreciated the simple gesture of offering to take a group photo - and if conditions were truly not right or safe for his equipment, then he needs to verbalize that to everyone, so there is no miscommunication. And again, his actual website does not mention any filming at all for the tour we booked.
For me personally, I did not book the tour because of potential filming or photos. I was really there for the experience. And it was really a GREAT experience. It was a little pricy for what it was, but it lasted from about 2 PM to 10-11 PM, and we did a lot of cool things in a short period of time. This is the only bio bay in PR that you can swim in - the others are kayak only I believe and are much more crowded. Carlos and his crew never rushed us. The tour was EXACTLY as described on his Bucket List Tours website, however, did not follow what was listed on Trip Advisor.
I would recommend the tour, but if he recommends booking on his website, just make sure to clarify the details. Especially if the primary reason you are booking is the filming. If you do not care about that part, then there's other swimming bio-bay tours to consider online
Trip not as advertised! We intentionally booked this trip even though more than twice as expensive as other tours for same experience ( minus the video) due to fact that professional video of experience was included. However, no photos or videos taken with a variety of excuses ( conditions have to be perfect, he doesn’t have the gear but National Geographic did, we booked a different tour that didn’t include the video package). Carlos that states that clearly communicated that video is not included when booking. See if you can find that anywhere. Read the fine print and make sure you get what you are paying for with him!
Additionally, not at expected “VIP experience” level. No drinks or snacks provided, van was dirty and smelled of cigarettes, and Carlos spent much of time on boat and at restaurant scrolling on phone. I’ve been treated better at many non “VIP” tours.
Not worth the cost!
cynthiamb2025
03 Sep 2025
My husband, myself, our son and 2 grandsons (14 and 17) shared this incredible experience. The ride from San Juan to La Parguera was long but very picturesque and we learned so much from our guide, Carlos, about the land and about Puerto Rico. He was so knowledgeable and passionate about his country!! La Parguera was a small, charming fishing village and we began our journey there. Snorkeling was first in a warm, quiet bay with crystal clear fairly shallow water. It was relaxed and unhurried. We watched the sunset there in the bay. It was stunning. Next came a slow easy ride to the much anticipated bioluminescent bay. It was very sheltered and the few other boats there were all respectfully quiet. No loud voices or music. We waited for complete darkness and then went in to the water. This is the only bioluminescent bay in Puerto Rico that you can actually swim in. Carlos had us go under the boat (pontoon) to start because it offered us a maximum contrast to experience the bioluminescence. Each and every move we made bathed us in shining, sparkling blue light. It took our breath away, it was so incredibly gorgeous!!!! When I would slowly lift my arms out of the water, it looked like they were covered in shimmering diamonds. This was Mother Earth at her finest!!!! Carlos video taped all of us in turn as we experienced the bioluminescence and sent us the video after we came back home from our stay in Puerto Rico. We had a full moon that night but it did not diminish the vibrancy of the bay at all. We all felt that this was a once in a lifetime, never to be forgotten experience. We all recommend this charter; I can not imagine anyone being disappointed.