Day three: Relax by day, sparkle by night
Another day of adventure awaits, and you should start it off with breakfast at M&M Bakery Deli for a local experience. Before heading out for today’s water adventure, make sure you have your camera ready, as the green and blue colors of the location will enchant you.
Since you went scuba diving yesterday, today you get a “relax for the day” pass to Isla Mata la Gata, a mangrove island perfect for a traditional day at the beach. Catch a boat ride departing from La Parguera and bring everything you might need for the day (snacks, water, sunblock) as the only facilities on site are picnic tables, BBQ pits, changing rooms, and outdoor chairs. A visit to Mata la Gata’s natural pool is the perfect opportunity for sunbathing, snorkeling, or picnic by a crystal-clear water Caribbean beach. There is also kayak rental available so that you can practice other watersports.
After you’re done splashing around in the water, you can walk along the mangroves and observe the unique ecosystem surrounding La Parguera Nature Reserve.
A trip to La Parguera will not be complete if you don’t visit the bioluminescent bay. After your day at the beach, head back to your parador or vacation rental, and get ready for the experience of a lifetime. At the bio bay, you’ll witness the magical spectacle of glow-in-the-dark water as you kayak or paddle your way. This portion of La Parguera is one of the three bioluminescent bays in Puerto Rico and one out of five in the entire world. Some guided tours provide you equipment so you can dive and swim after dark (this is the only bio bay where swimming is allowed), or you can book a crystal bottom kayak, so you don’t miss the “stars” underwater.
Pro tip: Book your tour on the darkest night possible to make the most of this rare ecosystem’s visit.
Once you dock back into La Parguera, head to El Malecón, where you can have a night of chinchorreo, hoping from dive to dive eating frituras and sipping on piña coladas.
Read more about the island's bioluminescent bays here