on the island of Vieques, bioluminescent planktons light up the waters

In the Caribbean, the small island of Vieques is a hidden gem of Puerto Rico. It has as many wild horses as people, as well as bays cut into translucent waters, surrounded by lush, impenetrable vegetation. The Island of Enchantment, as the Puerto Ricans call it, is a small paradise for the few tourists who are lucky enough to swim in its waters, at 25°C all year round.

However, the real treasure of Vieques is discovered after dark, in the waters of Mosquito Bay. After a few minutes in the dark, tourists aboard kayaks discover this bay whose water lights up from the inside. Thousands of sequins appear through the kayaks. A marvelous bluish broom, made up of billions of small bioluminescent planktons which give this special color to the water. “These organisms recharge themselves during the day, with sunlight, and they use it at night. (…) Shining is for self-defense”, explains Ysakiel, guide at “Taino Aqua Adventures”. Tourists are delighted. However, today, these planktons are threatened by climate change.