The bright blue hues produced by the microorganisms during nights of very little moonlight or new moon attracts tourists to the bio bay. It is one of the three bio bays in Puerto Rico; the other two are Laguna Grande in Fajardo and La Parguera in Lajas. The bay and its surrounding mangrove forest are protected by the Vieques Bioluminescent Bay Natural Reserve and no swimming is allowed. Guided tours allow visitors to kayak in the bay and observe the bioluminescence. The bio bay is located near the beach community of Esperanza, between the barrios of Puerto Ferro and Puerto Real in Vieques, Puerto Rico.