One
of the most amazing natural phenomena in our world's oceans is the presence
of what is known as bioluminescence. Caused by small micro-organisms, known
as Dinoflagellates, the water glows blue, green or white when disturbed. The
result is a supernatural experience, a one-of-a-kind treat for the visitor.
Although bioluminescence in and of itself is not incredibly rare, the affect
is often transient, coming and going at certain times of year or times of
the night in areas which cannot be pinpointed. Some fish or small ocean
organisms such as squid emit a type of luminescence. Often, sailors report
seeing bioluminescence in the wake of a boat or the peak of an ocean wave at
night.
The
world has seven, known, year-round bioluminescent bays, three of which are
located in Puerto Rico. These three, amazing bioluminescent bays are located
across the island in Fajardo, Vieques and La Parguera. Each of these bays
has a high concentration of dinoflagellates in a unique marine environment
which allows for viewing year-round.
The
bioluminescent bay at La Parguera is located on the Southwest corner of the
island of Puerto Rico. The bay at La Parguera is the closest bioluminescent
bay to the West Coast cities of Aguadilla, Rincon, Mayaguez and Ponce. La
Parguera is a small, quaint fishing village surrounded with calm waters and
buffered from the ocean with a bay created by mangrove islands. Easily
accessed from the major tourist destination of Rincon, a visit to La
Parguera is a great day trip for guests looking to explore more of the West
Coast of Puerto Rico.
Tours of the bioluminescent bay depart from the marina in La Parguera. The
bay is approximately a 20 minute boat ride from the main marina. Many tour
operators offer a snorkeling experience which is unique to many
bioluminescent bays. Snorkel underwater at night to experience the glowing
organisms for a truly unforgettable experience.
Puerto Rico is known as the jewel of the Caribbean travel experience and
with three bioluminescent bays, as well as hundreds of miles of white sand
beaches, warm ocean waters and blue skies with ideal weather, it is little
wonder why. Puerto Rico is located just East of the islands of Cuba, Haiti
and the Dominican Republic, and is reachable via many international flight.
Visitors from the United States do not need a passport to visit Puerto Rico,
as the island is a US territory. Peak tourist season on the island is from
mid-December through April.
Rincon Vacations offers complete travel information for visitors to Rincon Puerto Rico.
Book Puerto Rico bioluminescent bay
tours
or lodging in Rincon Puerto Rico. This article may be reproduced given that
the resource links remain intact.
Built
along Puerto Rico's coastline is a system of lighthouses constructed by the
Spanish government in the 19th century to secure the island's shores. The
public is now welcome to most of these lighthouses, one of which is the Los
Morrillos Lighthouse (El Faro to its locals) located in Cabo Rojo. The
lighthouse stands atop a 200-foot high cliff bordered by lagoons and
marshes. Constructed in 1882 it is the third lighthouse built in Puerto Rico
and up to now it still helps ships from the Caribbean Sea navigate through
the Mona Passage into the Atlantic Ocean.
An
engineer and two keepers used to man the lighthouse and were provided with
living quarters within the area where they reside with their families. When
the lighthouse was renovated in 1967, its operation became fully automated.
With the keepers gone, the lighthouse's condition gradually declined.
However, in 2002, renovations for the lighthouse started and were completed
in 2007 restoring the lighthouse nearly to its original state and allowing
visitors to explore its interior.
Los
Morrillos Lighthouse is more of an art museum rather than a historical one.
Homer's Odyssey served as an inspiration for the decorations found inside
the lighthouse. Instead of the usual ornamental wallpaper, pages from the
Odyssey are plastered on the walls of the lighthouse. Chairs are attached to
the walls and tied on each is a different edition of the Odyssey. Words from
the epic poem are being projected on the walls by an audiovisual system
which, at the same time, renders readings from the Odyssey.
Pollux Parker is an adventurer who loves discovering secret island getaways
in each country he visits. Pollux also likes to collect Puerto Rico Flag
[http://www.republic-flag.com/puerto-rico-flags.html] and buy inexpensive
Puerto Rico Flag [http://www.republic-flag.com/puerto-rico-flags.html].
