The lighthouse
Ocean views.
Bjoertvedt — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Bjoertvedt — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Bjoertvedt — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Bjoertvedt — CC BY-SA 4.0
A nature reserve on a headland at the island's north-eastern tip, packing seven ecosystems into a small area: dry forest, mangroves, lagoons, beaches, coral reefs and seagrass meadows. It is run by the non-profit Para la Naturaleza. On the hilltop stands an elegant white Spanish-style lighthouse, lit on 2 May 1882 and known as the Fajardo lighthouse; its roof gives wide views over the ocean, small cays and Culebra on the horizon. Guided tours reach it by small trolley and on foot along boardwalks over the mangroves. The reserve holds Laguna Grande, one of Puerto Rico's three bioluminescent bays: a lagoon full of tiny organisms that glow blue-green when the water moves. Night kayak tours cross it through a narrow mangrove channel, and paddlers watch the water light up with every stroke. Tours need advance booking, and the glow is clearest on moonless nights. Swimming in the lagoon is not allowed.
Ocean views.
Glowing water.
Over the mangroves.
North-eastern tip of Puerto Rico, north of Fajardo
On dark, moonless nights away from the full moon; tours start after sunset and need booking.