Bioluminescent Bay | Bahia Fosforescente | W Retreat & Spa - Vie

[http://www.wvieques.com/] W Retreat & Spa - Vieques Island 4.1 (10 reviews) State Road 200, KM 3.2 - HC-1 Box 9368, Vieques Island, PR, 00765, United States • Weather: • Local Time: • Phone: 787.741.4100 4.1 English language navigation close Overview Announcements Rooms Guest Rooms Overview Standard Amenities Tropical Oasis Pool Oasis Spectacular Ocean Oasis Fabulous Ocean Front Escape Fantastic Garden Retreat Marvelous Retreat WOW Ocean Front Retreat Gallery Photo Gallery Video Tour Virtual Tour Guest Gallery Destination Getting to Vieques Getting Around Vieques Local Beaches Black Beard Sports Bio Bay Complimentary Equipment Equipment Rentals Retreat Activities Scuba Diving Snorkeling Kayaking Mountain Biking Hiking Horseback Riding Island Tours EcoTours & Activities Features Hotel Amenities W Airport Lounge WIRED Business Center W Beach FIT® WET® SWING Tennis Courts AWAY® Spa Living Room Whatever/Whenever® Service P.A.W. Island Car Rental Yoga Buzz Spa AWAY® Spa Indulge Restaurant Overview Sorcé Restaurant W Café Living Room Wet® Bar & Grill Meetings Meetings Overview Floor Plans & Capacity Charts E-Menus Weddings Weddings Overview Where to Wed? Wedding Video Wedding Testimonials Intimate Weddings 14 Stories Same-Sex Wedding Package Honeymoons Honeymoon Registry Romance Amplified Wedding Package Offers View All Offers Puerto Rico Resident Offers Meet Celebrated Group Offers Vieques Revel English العربية 中文(简体) Français Deutsch Italiano 日本語 Português Русский Español Overview Announcements Rooms Guest Rooms Overview Standard Amenities Tropical Oasis Pool Oasis Spectacular Ocean Oasis Fabulous Ocean Front Escape Fantastic Garden Retreat Marvelous Retreat WOW Ocean Front Retreat Gallery Photo Gallery Video Tour Virtual Tour Guest Gallery Destination Getting to Vieques Getting Around Vieques Local Beaches Black Beard Sports Bio Bay Complimentary Equipment Equipment Rentals Retreat Activities Scuba Diving Snorkeling Kayaking Mountain Biking Hiking Horseback Riding Island Tours EcoTours & Activities Features Hotel Amenities W Airport Lounge WIRED Business Center W Beach FIT® WET® SWING Tennis Courts AWAY® Spa Living Room Whatever/Whenever® Service P.A.W. Island Car Rental Yoga Buzz Spa AWAY® Spa Indulge Restaurant Overview Sorcé Restaurant W Café Living Room Wet® Bar & Grill Meetings Meetings Overview Floor Plans & Capacity Charts E-Menus Weddings Weddings Overview Where to Wed? Wedding Video Wedding Testimonials Intimate Weddings 14 Stories Same-Sex Wedding Package Honeymoons Honeymoon Registry Romance Amplified Wedding Package Offers View All Offers Puerto Rico Resident Offers Meet Celebrated Group Offers Vieques Revel Reserve Your Stay Add Flight (optional) Check in Check out 1 Room, 1 Adults, 0 Children Book Now Rooms - 1 + Adults / Room - 1 + Children / Room (Age 0 - 17) - 0 + Book Now Book Now THE BIOLUMINESCENT BAY AT VIEQUES ISLAND The 'Bahia Fosforescente' (Bioluminescent Bay) at Puerto Mosquito should be listed as the eighth natural wonder of the world. The microscopic organism responsible for the glow in the water when agitated is a protozoan of the family dinoflagellata, a unicellular organism with two flagella that allow it to move through the water. The most common protozoan in Puerto Mosquito's waters in the Pyrodinium bahamense. Bioluminescence is a natural defense system. When the protozoans are being attacked, the movement in the water excites them resulting in a chemical reaction that produces light. The light attracts bigger predators that feed on the smaller creatures that eat the protozoans. The light is produced when a chemical stored within the cell, luciferin, is combined with oxygen resulting in the release of energy in the form of pure light. An internal clock in these organisms controls the production and storage of luciferin. There is very little concentration of luciferin within the cell during the daylight hours, thus little light is generated even if you could place them in the dark. The accumulation of the chemical peaks at night, and this is when the lights become more intense. Several physical features of the Bay allow it's bioluminescence. One is the shallowness of the waters, the other is the presence of mangrove trees at the shores. Decomposing mangrove roots promote the concentration of bacteria in the water. These bacteria produce vitamin B12 which is an essential nutrient to the protozoan. The Bay has a narrow exit to the sea allowing for the organisms to concentrate in its shallow refuge. It is the incredible concentration of these organisms what makes Vieques so unique. One of the world's most stunning natural sights, the largest bioluminescent bay at Puerto Mosquito is a perfect after-sunset activity*, also home to an amazing array of native wildlife. *Please note, due to light sensitivity, Bio Bay tours are not offered in the days surrounding a full moon, please refer to a moon calendar when planning an excursion to the bio bay. Source: ViequesIsland.com Indulge in the best of what Vieques, Puerto Rico has to offer > Stay Connected Facebook Twitter Instagram Share Share This Download our App SPG App Best Rate Guarantee | W Hotels Hotel Directory | Website Terms of Use | Accessibility Information | AdChoices © 2009-2017 Marriott International, Inc. All rights reserved. Back to top English العربية 中文(简体) Français Deutsch Italiano 日本語 Português Русский Español