Hi,

My husband and I are going to be in Vieques next week. We're both into snorkeling and scuba. I have a couple of questions, hope someone on the forum can answer.

1. Biobay
Is it better experience to go on a electric boat (with Island adventures) or is it much more personal to go with Blue Caribe Kayaks? What is the water like? What about Abe's snorkeling?

2. In terms of arranging a snorkeling trip with either Blue Caribe or Nan's Sea Charters or Golden Heron -- has anyone done the trips by either of these operators? Which one would you recommend? Golden Heron seems pricey, but I am more concerned with the experience and the sites they take you to. For Blue Caribe, is it uncomfortable being in a kayak while on a 3 hr snorkeling trip?

3. Do you recommend making reservations in advance? We'll be there next week, but we also don't want to find out that we can't go on any trips because they're booked.

I would APPRECIATE IT if you could give me some feedback.

Thanks.

Sorry can't help you, but noticed you posted earlier today. Instead of reposting you may want to hit "Reply" on your post then type in Bump or something to get you to the top.

I'm sure someone will be able to give you advice. But if you are in a hurry for info, also try posting on tripadvisor.com.

We went with Island Adventures which I highly recommend. They give you an orientation lecture first and then do the tour. Found getting in the water from a pontoon boat easy--ecpect it would be harder to do from a kayak. also if the moon is bright you can swim under the pontoons for the full effect.
After the tour we changed clothes in the restroom and went to Blue Horizon for dinner which is right next door. Only snorkeled from the beach which wasn't too great. One place on the left side of Mosquito Pier was pretty good. Never saw so many starfish. Tons of them

i am in agreement about island adventures. they were very helpful and they are quite knowledgeable. we kayaked out to the center of the bay because the pontoon was not working. i was a little concerned about it but it turned out to be a "good" thing. the bay is very still and there is, virtually, no current. it is very easy to paddle and getting to your destination will be half the fun. the water is very calm since the bay is surrounded by mangrove trees. just enjoy the experience. you will be wearing a lifejacket, a glow stick and a whistle. the water is very salty which makes you very buoyant. enjoy

We did the bioluminescent bay in Fajardo over the summer on a trip. I'm not sure if you were talking about that or just going to the bay in the day. In case you don't know what I mean you should google it. There's plankton in the waters in the bay that light up when you touch them at night. We kayaked out and swam in the water, and it was FANTASTIC. One of the all time best trip moments ever. I hear that the one in Vieques is even better (brighter), and I would DEFINITELY check it out if you can. I would also recommend kayaking. It is a little work, but thats what makes it fun. You can actually see the water begin to light up as you get closer to the bay area. It is so amazing!

We went with Abe's a couple of weeks ago. We did the full day snorkeling and then the biobay. Here's the real description:
Kayak across the biobay into mangrove tunnels so narrow you'll get your paddle and sometimes kayak stuck between them, go to two more lagoons, turn around and come back the way you came, then kayak out of the biobay to a pretty decent secluded beach (the day we went, that was all against the wind- we looked like seagulls flapping as hard as we could and not getting anywhere). You can snorkel there, but there's very little coral, mostly seagrass. Eat sandwiches/wraps and wait for the sun to set. And wait, and wait, then kayak back in, then swim in the biobay.
The biobay was incredible, but the rest was just ok.

The biobay water was nice, but the water on Nuvillo Beach was too cold for me to snorkel in for very long. The currents were also pretty strong.

And in our experience, the tours are more likely to get canceled because there aren't enough people rather than get full- so make reservations just to make sure a trip will go.

Oh yeah- the Island Adventures boat may or may not be working yet, you'll need to call and ask.

And be sure to blow across the top of the water when you swim.

island adventures pontoon boat started up again tonight. wahoo, we will be going saturday. thought there may be some whose trips are pending would appreciate this info!!

Thanks, I figured you would know and was hoping you'd share!