A visit to Phosphorescent Bay, on the southwestern part of the island (west of Ponce and southeast of Mayaguez), is best planned for a moonless night. Be prepared for an eerie experience: The marine plankton in the water glow green and blue when disturbed. Boat tours run nightly and last about an hour. If you take one of the smaller boats (rather than the large party vessels), wear your swimsuit so you can leap into the water for a sparkly swim. Most trips depart from the dock in
La Parguera, a popular resort town with seafood restaurants and inns. On weekends, the streets are crowded with young people who frequent the salsa and merengue clubs.
The large crowds of visitors (especially in season) have aroused the concerns of environmentalists. They claim that not enough is being done to protect the fragile ecosystem.
30 mi/48 km west of Ponce.