Electric Catamaran, 40 Minutes

Borikua Tours runs this electric catamaran outing to Mosquito Bay. The listing gives 40 minutes and a 4.5 rating from 54 reviews with free cancellation. Guests make their own way to the meeting point. An electric catamaran keeps the run quiet, so the dinoflagellates are the loudest thing on the water.

Overview

This is a 40-minute ride into Mosquito Bay on Vieques aboard a 24-foot electric catamaran, run by Borikua Tours. Travellers meet a driver at the Sun Bay Beach entrance in Esperanza, ride an air-conditioned van to the bay, and board the boat with help from the crew. Once out on the water, the guide talks through the biology and history of the bay while the water glows around the hull.

The boat itself is part of the appeal. Because it is electric, the cruise stays quiet, and one reviewer described a calm night on the bay with bright stars overhead and fish leaving glowing trails below. That same reviewer noted that even raindrops put on a show.

It suits people who want the bay without paddling a kayak, an option one reviewer specifically recommended. Reviews also describe the guides as knowledgeable and friendly. The main planning item is logistics: you need at least one night of accommodation on Vieques, since the tour ends after the last ferry has gone.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Sun BayMeet the Isla Nena driver across the Sun Bay Beach entrance in Vieques. This is a meeting point, not a hotel pickup.
2. Van transferA shared air-conditioned van drives the group to the Mosquito Bay boat landing, a ride the listing clocks at 15 minutes. One reviewer described the access road as rough dirt.
3. Mosquito Bay cruiseBoard the 24-foot electric catamaran with the captain and guide. The on-water portion appears as one hour in the listing's itinerary, while this product's overall duration is 40 minutes. Watch the glow, ask questions, and take pictures.
4. Return to Sun BayThe van takes the group back to the Sun Bay meeting point at the end of the night.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical details shape how this night goes, from moonlight to footwear.

• Go near new moon. Several travellers said a moonless or nearly moonless night made the glow and the stars far more dramatic. One noted the bay was still bright even a day before the moon rose high. Call ahead to check timing before booking.
• Forget the photos. The listing is blunt: phones, DSLRs and mirrorless cameras are not guaranteed to capture the glow, and no refund or discount is given if pictures fail. One reviewer said the same and planned to keep the memory instead.
• Bring a light. One reviewer recommended a flashlight, phone light or headlamp for the walk from the van to the boat. Water shoes and comfortable clothes are on the listing's bring list, along with a camera if wanted.
• No food or drink. Food and drinks are not allowed on the tour or in the vehicle, and alcohol and drugs are prohibited. Tips are not included, and one reviewer specifically said to bring tip money for the crew.
• Two languages. Several describe the guides as knowledgeable and funny, covering the biology, natural history and human history of the bay.
• Bumpy access road. The van reaches the landing at the end of a dirt road that one reviewer called memorably bad, though the driver knew the potholes. Parking in Esperanza after dark was confusing for that same traveller, so arrive with time to spare.

Common issues. The tour needs a minimum of six guests to run, so low numbers can stop it going ahead. It runs rain or shine, and there is no refund after booking for travellers who show up without accommodation on Vieques, since the last ferry leaves at 7:30 PM before the tour ends. The listing does not guarantee cameras will capture the glow, and that is not grounds for a discount. One reviewer found parking in Esperanza after dark confusing and the access road rough. Another mentioned a steep ramp up to the boat, though the crew helped with mobility issues and with a toddler in another group. Pickup times shift with the seasons, so the listing asks travellers to call and confirm before booking.

Choosing Your Bay