About This Trip
- A small group Puerto Rico nature tour designed to showcase some of the best nature experiences that Puerto Rico has to offer, led by top-notch guides who make for an educational experience.
- You will visit beautiful forests and waterfalls from off-the-beaten path hikes that are local favorites.
- Swim in the warm waters of a bioluminescent bay at night surrounded by dazzling blue-green bioluminescent algae.
- go snorkeling at excellent coral reefs, including beautiful Tres Palmas Marine Reserve, one of the most iconic places to snorkel in Puerto Rico, and in seagrass beds surrounded by mangroves and white sand
- You'll have a chance to learn about marine ecosystems, coral reef conservation, and much more throughout our adventure.
This one-of-a-kind nature lovers' tour of Puerto Rico was designed from the ground up to provide an exciting, diverse, and comprehensive look at the territory's incredible ecosystems both above and below the surface. Designed and led in partnership with Puerto Rico-based Isla Mar Expeditions, you'll benefit from their local expertise and expert guidance as we explore Puerto Rico's amazing natural wonders. Just a short flight from the U.S. mainland, our week long itinerary will have you snorkeling at beautiful coral reefs and mangroves, hiking among waterfalls, swimming at night in a bioluminescent bay, exploring caves, and much more.
Notes on Trip Costs
A surcharge will be added if the trip has less than 6 participants. There is a single supplement fee of $646.
Trip costs do not include airfare to/from Puerto Rico. Request a detailed itinerary for complete pricing details and click here for our full expedition terms and conditions.
Conservation Impact
Founded in 1969, Oceanic Society is America’s oldest 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to ocean conservation. As pioneers of “eco travel,” our expeditions have been designed to directly support our mission. They not only positively impact our travelers, but also the people, places, and wildlife we go to see. Your expedition costs include fees that support conservation and promote sustainable livelihoods in the communities we visit, and Oceanic Society's earnings are invested back into our global research and conservation programs. In 2019, we also established our Expedition Impact Fund (EIF) as a way to grow our impact. The fund is seeded annually with money earned from our expeditions, and supplemented by donations from Oceanic Society travelers. Through the EIF, we award grants to our partners for their on-the-ground efforts to protect ocean habitats and the wildlife and human communities that depend on them.
Dates & Prices
Itinerary
B, L, D indicates the meals provided each day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
Day 1: Arrive in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico (D)
We will pick you up from the BQN airport, or arrange for a taxi service, where you’ll be transported a short drive south to the surf capital, Rincon, where we will settle into our home for the week and meet our guides. They will give us a briefing of the area, what to expect for the week and guide us down to the water’s edge to explore the tidepools of the marine reserve.
Day 2: Snorkeling at Tres Palmas (B, L, D)
We will start our morning visiting the beautiful Tres Palmas Marine Reserve, one of the most iconic places to snorkel in Puerto Rico! We will learn about Caribbean reef fish, coral reef restoration and coral diseases. Later, we will walk the casual grassy Community Trail adjacent to the reserve and learn about the conservation efforts and history of the area.
Day 3: Guajataca Forest Hike and Rincon Costal Trail (B, L, D)
In the morning we will head to the north central karst region to explore now-exposed ancient coral reefs overgrown with vegetation. Our hike will be through a semi dry forest where we can see all kinds of jungle vegetation. In the afternoon, we will dry off and take a casual walk along the historic railroad path along the coastline in Rincón while learning about the adaptations of plants living directly next to the salty, windy cliffside and visit the adjacent iconic lighthouse with amazing views of the ocean and the uninhabited Desecheo Island.
Day 4: Snorkeling at Shacks Beach (B, L, D)
We will take a short drive north of Rincón to visit the north coast of the island and snorkel at Shacks Beach with white sands and unique coral formations. We will work our way back to Rincón by stopping in Aguadilla to visit the lighthouse ruins with great photo opportunities and learn about the geologic past of Puerto Rico. The evening can include an optional night snorkel in Tres Palmas for the adventurous who want to experience the ocean after dark!
Day 5: La Parguera snorkeling in seagrass and mangroves (B, L, D)
In the morning we will snorkel at Collado reef where we will learn about seagrass, mangroves and the connectivity between these ecosystems and coral reefs. In the afternoon we will check into our hotel where we will spend one night, and then finish our day by exploring the quaint fishing village of La Parguera with dinner out together, followed by an extraordinary tour of the bioluminescent bay . We will spend the night here before traveling back to Rincon the next day *please bring a small overnight bag*
Day 6: Maricao waterfall hike, Art Walk (B, L, D)
We leave La Parguera in the morning to head towards the middle of the island to find a secluded waterfall. We will hike up a river to the waterfall where we will eat lunch here on the rocks and swim in the cool mountain water. The afternoon will be free time to relax by the beach or visit one of the nearby restaurants in the Rincón marina. In the evening, we will relax at the Rincon Art Walk where we can see all kinds of local artisans.
Day 7: Paseo Lineal walk in Isabela or Cueva Golondrinas (B, L, D)
In the morning we will head to Isabela on the north coast to visit the boardwalk along dunes and mangroves, or a wide cavern along the beach, depending on the swell conditions. We will spend the morning here before we return to Rincón in the afternoon and have free time to relax at the beach, shop for souvenirs or just chill at the house. In the evening, we will head out for our last night together and celebrate the trip with a local favorite- the pirata “Pirate” drink of rum and coconut milk served in a coconut!
Day 8: Fly home (B)
Our last morning together will end with breakfast as a group before departing for our respective flights. Guests will depart from nearby Aguadilla airport (BQN). We will help arrange airport transfers. You can also make your way back to San Juan to explore further on your own. ¡Buen viaje!
Accommodations
Travelers will stay in a mix of hotels and private rental homes during this trip, as follows:
- La Parguera (1 night): Villa Parguera or Turtle Bay Inn
- Rincón: Private Rental Home
Naturalist(s)
Your expedition will be led by one or more of the following expert naturalist guides:
