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.