What makes Vieques Island so great?  The bays.  Sun Bay and Bioluminescent Bay are located on Vieques Island, just off the coast of Puerto Rico, and are only accessible by plane, or by ferry boat. This is an incredibly unique situation because you have Sun Bay that is a beach area, and Bio Bay that is a nature preserve. They both are incredibly beautiful and very different in their own special way, and located in close proximity to each other.

Sun Bay is a stunning beach near the fishing village of Esperanza. Endless beauty thrives here with the lush vegetation, the tall swaying palm trees, and the coral white sand. Ah, yes, who could forget the clear, green-blue water, the warmth of the sun, and the sweet island breezes softly caressing your face. What makes it even better is that the world has not yet discovered the Island of Vieques, so there are not huge crowds at Sun Beach. On some days there could just be several people--not several thousand people, jockeying for room on the sand.

Here at Sun Bay it is more of a tranquil, relaxing beach experience, where you can rest, and soak up the warmth of the sun. Sun Bay is more of a family beach than anything else, due to the fact that the beach is protected by land, and the stronger easterly trade winds won't be lashing at you here. So if you're looking for loud music, and a major party experience, you won't find it here.

Kids swimming at Sun Bay can do so with relative ease because they won't be pounded by sea waves, or rough winds. Kayaking, parasailing and snorkeling are the favorite pastimes of vacationers at Sun Bay. While you're snorkeling you'll see fish such as giant manta rays or rare leatherback turtles you won't see anywhere else in the world. That's because the bay protects them, without sea creatures coming in and gobbling them up.

Taking a boat to the coral reefs, that are just a few miles out, will be one of the many highlights of your trip to Sun Bay and while you're snorkeling you'll see a wide variety of beautifully colored fish, such as blue marlin, and yellow and black striped angel fish. Catch some of the fish at Sun Bay and eat lunch for free.

 Although, it is not a typical island beach in that Sun Bay has many little inlets where you can play in the surf, it does offer restrooms, changing rooms, a modern picnic area, and plenty of shade from the coconut trees.

Sun Bay is located near Bioluminescent Bay, (also called Mosquito Bay), where on a moonless night, you can see tiny organisms that actually light up when they are disturbed. While swimming with these organisms, they light up all around you, and it looks like you are glowing. When fish eat them they light up and you can their insides. People who live on the Island of Vieques say, "Swimming in the water on a balmy night is a magical experience, and that it is like floating through stardust."

How does this happen? Bio Bay contains up to 720,000 single-celled bioluminescent dinoflagellates per each gallon of water. They are half- plant and half- animal organisms
that emits a flash of bluish light when they are agitated at night. It has been said that they create enough light to read a book by. The light they create actually reflects from the clouds. By the way, these tiny organisms are harmless, so you won't be glowing for a week after swimming in Bio Bay.

In case you get hungry from all that hard work of swimming, snorkeling, and wandering around discovering the various butterflies and the many different species of birds, there are several nearby restaurants on the Island of Vieques. In the village of Isabela there are restaurants such as Ocean Front Restaurant that serves steaks and seafood, and the Eclipse Restaurant and Bar serves more traditional fare.

 If it's relaxation you crave then Sun Bay and Bio Bay are ready to soothe your frayed nerves. Listen to the calm waters, and the soft whispery sounds the palms of the coconut trees make.  Light up your night by swimming at Bio Bay and you'll want to come back again and again, to experience only what nature can offer.

This guide to Puerto Rico's bays was brought to you by Kate Johns.