In this article, I’ll explain everything that you need to know about the Bioluminescent Bay in Grand Cayman.
What is the Bioluminescent Bay?
The Bioluminescent Bay is a man-made bay that was dredged out over 30 -years ago for a real estate development.
It was a complete accident that this bay was made in a way that could enable the famous bioluminescent phenomenon.
The Bio Bay has a narrow entrance, which means that when the bioluminescent plankton (known as “Dinoflagellates“) drift in naturally, they cannot escape, meaning that they begin to multiply, and over time, their concentration rises to a level not seen in regular sea water.
The concentration of the plankton in the Bio Bay varies from week to week, depending on things like weather, tide, temperature etc.
These bioluminescent plankton are not toxic, and it’s safe to enter the water.
Other types of bioluminescence, such as “Red Tide“, can be toxic.
Where is it located?
The Bioluminescent Bay is located near Rum Point in Grand Cayman.
If you are staying on or near Seven Mile Beach (on the west-side of Grand Cayman), then the easiest way to visit the Bio Bay is by booking a tour with “George’s Watersports” since their boats depart from the Cayman Islands Yacht Club, which is only a 5-minute drive from Seven Mile Beach.
They take you directly to the Bio Bay, saving you an hour drive each way.
How to visit the Bio Bay
The only way to visit the Bio Bay is by booking a tour with a licensed operator.
The land that surrounds the bay is private property, meaning that you cannot walk into the bay, as this would be trespassing.
Additionally, even if you could somehow enter the bay from the land, it wouldn’t be a good idea because the water at the immediate shore is shallow and full of sea-weed, meaning that you would not be able to enter unless you really know what you are doing (not a good idea for tourists).
When you book a bio bay tour, the operator will take you into the center of the bay, entering from the main entrance by boat (not trespassing through private property). They will also provide you with the proper equipment to enter the water. Snorkeling with the bioluminescence is the best way to experience it, since a mask increases visibility underwater.
I recommend that you book your bioluminesence tour with George’s Watersports since they have been operating these tours for over a decade.
Final thoughts
The Bioluminescent Bay is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Cayman Islands.
I recommend that you experience this in the water with a snorkel and mask, since this will enhance the visibility of the bioluminescence.
George’s Watersports is one of the few operators that allows their guests to snorkel in the bay.
On a related note, you should be careful about which tour operator you use when visiting the Bio Bay. There are operators that will take you on nights when the bioluminescence isn’t visible. They do this to maximize revenue at the expense of their customers. I explain which companies to avoid and how to know when the bioluminescence is visible in this article.
