One of the most magical things you can do in Bocas del Toro happens after dark. On the right night, the calm bays around the islands light up with a blue-green glow, and you can watch it from the boat or swim right through it. This tour leaves our dock at 7:00 PM and returns around 9:00 PM, visiting two different spots in one night.
What causes the glow
The light comes from bioluminescent plankton — microscopic dinoflagellates that flash a brief blue-green light whenever the water around them is disturbed. It’s a natural defence mechanism, and the effect is extraordinary: every paddle stroke, hand movement or swimmer leaves a trail of glowing sparks, like stirring up liquid starlight.
Why we run it on the new moon
Bioluminescence is faint, and bright moonlight easily washes it out. That’s why we only run this tour around the new moon, when the nights are at their darkest and the glow is at its strongest. On these nights the contrast is unforgettable.
What to expect
You can experience it however you like — stay dry and watch the water light up around the boat, or slip in for a swim and snorkel through the glow yourself (this is the option most guests remember for years). We visit two separate spots so you get the best of the conditions on the night. Bioluminescence is famously hard to capture on a phone camera, so we encourage guests to simply be present and enjoy it.
Good to know
- Price: $30 per person, including pick-up and drop-off at Saigon Bay.
- When: new-moon nights only — ask us for the next available date.
- Departure: 7:00 PM, returning around 9:00 PM.
- Bring: a towel, a change of clothes and a light layer; you’ll want to swim.
You pay the guide in cash on the day, with no prepayment needed — just let us know at least a day in advance. The boats and captains we work with have the highest reputation in Bocas del Toro, and almost all of our guests use them and come back delighted.
Before you goAntes de ir
You must pay the park fee onlineDebe pagar la entrada al parque en línea
Cayo Zapatillas is inside Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park. The $10 per person entrance fee is not included in the tour price and is paid online.Cayos Zapatillas está dentro del Parque Nacional Marino Isla Bastimentos. La entrada de $10 por persona no está incluida en el precio del tour y se paga en línea.
Wait until the morning of your tour to pay. If the weather turns stormy, you can cancel the tour that day, just let the captain know ahead of time, and you will not have paid for a park ticket you cannot use.Espere a la mañana del tour para pagar. Si el clima amanece tormentoso, puede cancelar el tour ese mismo día, solo avísele al capitán con anticipación, y no habrá pagado una entrada que no va a usar.
- On the morning of your tour, open the MiAmbiente park reservations site (button below).La mañana de su tour, abra el sitio de reservas de parques de MiAmbiente (botón abajo).
- Select Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park (Parque Nacional Marino Isla Bastimentos).Seleccione Parque Nacional Marino Isla Bastimentos.
- Choose that day's date and the number of people, then pay.Elija la fecha de ese día y el número de personas, y pague.
- Keep the confirmation on your phone for the day of the tour.Guarde la confirmación en su teléfono para el día del tour.
From our dockDesde nuestro muelle
Book with your hostsReserve con sus anfitriones
- Pickup at Saigon Bay or your hotel anywhere in Bocas del ToroRecogida en Saigon Bay o en su hotel en cualquier parte de Bocas del Toro
- Pay the captain in cash on the daySe paga al capitán en efectivo el mismo día
- Plus the $10 park fee, paid online the morning of the tourMás la entrada al parque de $10, que se paga en línea la mañana del tour
- Message us at least a day aheadEscríbanos con al menos un día de anticipación
Not staying with us? We still book it for you, and the boat picks you up at your hotel.¿No se hospeda con nosotros? Igual se lo reservamos y el bote lo recoge en su hotel.
See more Things to Do
Club Remo Caribe – Outrigger Canoe Paddling
Playa Istmito, Bocas Town – 5-min walk from Saigon Bay
V6 Tue & Thu 6am & 4pm · Intro Saturdays
Starfish Beach, Boca del Drago & Bird Island Tour
Isla Colón
$30 / person • Departs 10:30 AM
Cayo Zapatillas Tour
Zapatilla Cays, Bastimentos Marine Park
$35 / person • Departs 9:30 AM
