For individuals searching for outdoor recreations combined with natural scenery, kayaking trips in Puerto Rico consistently impress and delight.
Across its beaches, rivers, and lagoons, Puerto Rico offers countless places to kayak catering to all tastes and skill levels. Best of all, visiting most of these locations is free of charge, contributing to kayaking`s popularity as an activity on the island.
As a local of Puerto Rico with a passion for the outdoors and adventure, I`ll list the top kayaking spots in Puerto Rico in this article. Let`s get started!
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17 Best Kayaking Spots in Puerto Rico
Condado Lagoon
Paddle in this lagoon and appreciate the skyline of Condado and Miramar.
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Book Kayak Tours to Condado Lagoon
The Condado Lagoon is one of the best places to kayak in Puerto Rico and one of the most convenient to arrive at from Old San Juan.
You`ll find multiple family-friendly kayaking excursions and rentals near the lagoon. However, one of the most popular tours is the nighttime kayak experience with LED lighting.
The lagoon’s currents are usually suitable for beginners, so you have the option to rent kayaks and navigate the lagoon independently. Look out for the diverse wildlife in the area, including protected species like manatees and turtles.
Laguna Grande
Experience a unique luminous water phenomenon as you kayak in this lagoon in Fajardo.
📍 Google Maps |👉 Schedule a Kayaking Trip to Laguna Grande
Laguna Grande is a bioluminescent lagoon situated in Fajardo. Nested within the Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve, this lagoon is one of the three bioluminescent bodies of water in Puerto Rico.
Kayaking excursions begin at Kayak Village, from where you will navigate through mangrove channels. After about ten minutes of kayaking, you`ll reach the opening to the lagoon.
Be sure to visit during a new moon phase to best appreciate the glow.
Mosquito Bioluminescent Bay
Kayak in a bio bay and watch the water glow each time you paddle.
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Book Tours to Mosquito Bio Bay
The phosphorescent bay located in Mosquito Bay is considered the most luminous bio bay globally as designated by the World Record organization. It is found in Vieques, Puerto Rico.
Exploring Puerto Rico`s bio bay by kayak will deliver an incredible experience for your family. The high amount of bioluminescent dinoflagellates in the water causes it to glow brightly with each movement.
Numerous local companies and tour guides provide daily kayak excursions to the bay that are equally achievable for beginners and experts.
La Parguera
Home to a bio bay and numerous small islands, La Parguera is excellent for kayaking at any hour.
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Book Kayak Excursions to La Parguera
La Parguera in Puerto Rico is one of the top places for kayaking both during the day and nighttime hours. Families and adventure enthusiasts can paddle between the nearby isolated cays and islands there, making stops to enjoy the clear and shallow waters.
Visit the fishing town at night to experience a distinct kayaking experience at La Parguera Bioluminescent Bay.
The whole family will enjoy the shimmering water animated by each movement. This is also the only bay with bioluminescence in Puerto Rico permitting swimming.
Monkey Island
Paddle a kayak out to an offshore cay near Humacao populated by monkeys.
Cayo Santiago, also known as Monkey Island, is a location near the coast of Humacao, Puerto Rico that is home to Rhesus monkeys.
Although visitors are unable to directly explore the tiny island, paddling a kayak near its shore allows one a unique glimpse of the wildlife residing in their natural habitat. Barefoot Travelers organizes tours to Monkey Island for interested travelers.
Gilligan Island
Located just off Guánica, this island is known for highly transparent waters and an abundance of marine life.
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Schedule a Gilligan Island Kayaking Excursion
Gilligan Island, also known as Cayo Aurora, is one of Puerto Rico’s most frequented islands. It’s situated south of the town of Guánica.
Kayaking from the town to Gilligan Island takes approximately half an hour depending on the prevailing Caribbean sea conditions. Once there, you can spend the day snorkeling in the transparent waters. You can visit on an excursion or plan the trip alone.
Ensenada Yegua
With shallow clear waters and a beautiful landscape, kayaking off this beach is a dreamy experience.
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Book a Kayak Tour near Fajardo
While Laguna Grande in Fajardo is one of Puerto Rico`s top places for kayaking, Ensenada Yegua also provides a great experience for kayakers and is located nearby.
Also known as Seven Seas Beach, one of Fajardo’s primary beaches, Ensenada Yegua has shallow waters protected by reefs and sandbars ideal for all types of kayakers.
Kayak rentals are available at the beach, allowing you to set out paddling independently.
Culebra
Hop and kayak between islands at Culebra.
📍 Maps Location | 👉 Reserve a Kayak Trip in Culebra
Paddling is one of the primary attractions on Culebra Island. Beaches on Culebrateem with marine life and offer spectacular perspectives of the Caribbean.
Many visitors to Culebra Island choose to take snorkeling boat excursions, but exploring by kayak presents an experience filled with thrill and unusual discoveries. One of the most popular kayaking routes is from Tamarindo Beach to Cayo Luis Peña, where swimmers can interact with sea turtles.
La Plata Lake
Experience kayaking and fishing in one of Puerto Rico’s biggest lakes.
📍 Google Maps | Hours: 7 am – 5 pm daily, Closed Mondays and Tuesdays | Entrance: Free
La Plata Lake, located between Tao Alta and Naranjito, represents one of the biggest bodies of water within Puerto Rico. Not only does this location serve as a superb place for kayaking, but it`s also a popular area for fishing, so anglers can bring fishing rods during kayaking trips there.
There aren’t many kayak rental possibilities on-site, so plan in advance and rent your kayak in San Juan. Alternatively, you can rent one from Lago La Plata Guest House.
Tanama River
With caves, canyons, and beautiful scenery, the Tanama River is a great alternative to kayaking on the shoreline.
Paddling a kayak along the Tanamá River provides an excellent alternative experience to cruising off the coastlines of the beaches of Puerto Rico. Even though the long waterway has various areas stretching between the municipalities of Utuado, Arecibo and Adjuntas, many kayakers are attracted to explore the impressive 100-foot cave known as El Portillo.
Reaching the Tanamá River independently is achievable, but touring with a small group or through an excursion is advised. Batey Adventures provides a combination of kayaking, hiking, and rappelling excursions.
Mameyes River
Paddle and fish along a scenic river near El Yunque.
Found in El Yunque National Forest, the Mamayes River is a popular Puerto Rico location for outdoor activities.
While many go there to swim, the river mouth near Playa Fortuna in Luquillois popular for kayaking and fishing too.
Since it’s located beside some of the best Luquillo beaches, you’ll find plenty of kayak rentals nearby.
Laguna La Torrecilla
This lagoon between Carolina and Loíza is perfect for kayaking after spending a day at the beach in Piñones.
Laguna La Torrecilla is located between the town of Carolina and Loíza on the island of Puerto Rico. The lagoon is a favorite spot among boat enthusiasts and anglers, but it’s also an excellent place for kayaking. Side note: Piñones is renowned as Puerto Rico’s fritter capital, so I highly recommend grabbing a few once you’re done kayaking.
Laguna La Torrecilla provides numerous routes catered to both rookie and experienced kayakers. The longest course covers the complete lagoon and can take from three to four hours to finish. Kayaks can be rented from COPI.
Medio Mundo and Daguao Nature Reserve
This kayaking route through mangroves and out to offshore islands in Ceiba challenges expert paddlers.
The Medio Mundo and Daguao Nature Reserve in Ceiba offers one of Puerto Rico`s best hidden kayaking routes.
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Para La Naturaleza sometimes provides kayaking excursions, but guests will generally need to rent watercraft in nearby communities and transport them independently to enjoy the reserve`s waterways.
Punta Santiago Nature Reserve
Discover indigenous wildlife and ancient ruins during your kayak expedition in this protected coastal region in Humacao, Puerto Rico.
The Punta Santiago Nature Reserve in Humacao is popular for activities such as hiking, bird watching, biking, and kayaking.
Even if you`re new to kayaking, you can borrow a kayak within the reserve and explore the multiple lagoons on the site. In addition to observing wildlife, you`ll also see informative signs and historical ruins during your visit.
La Reserva Natural Corredor Ecológico del Noreste
Situated between Luquillo and Fajardo, a kayak trip through this nature reserve is full of wildlife and tranquility.
🗺️ Distance from New Orleans: 1 hour 15 minutes | 📍 Google Maps
Corredor Ecológico del Noreste is a nature reserve stretching from Luquillo to Fajardo.
Many go to the reserve for its beaches, but the Sabana River offers scenic views of El Yunque Rainforest and a peaceful spot for observing wildlife during your kayaking trip.
Sun Capital Water Sports offers rentals and guided trips in Corredor Ecológico del Noreste.
Punta Guaniquilla Nature Reserve
Canoe on beaches and lagoons in this Cabo Rojo nature reserve.
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The Punta Guaniquilla Nature Reserve is found close to Buyé Beach, one of Cabo Rojo’s prime beaches. This Cabo Rojo attraction houses different areas for kayaking, including turquoise shorelines and the Guaniquilla Lagoon with novel stone arrangements.
The kayaking route starts at Buyé Beach and circumnavigates Punta Guaniquilla until entering the Guaniquilla Lagoon from the south.
The Endless Summer Watersport PR rents kayaks on Buyé. It is important to note that the lagoon water levels change with the seasons.
Aguadilla
Float beneath an abandoned sugarcane dock at Aguadilla.
Aguadilla has a wide assortment of kayaking options for enthusiasts. Crash Boat Beach, one of Puerto Rico’s premier beaches, is probably the most popular kayaking location in Aguadilla.
However, if in pursuit of something more testing, head away from Rompeolas Beach northward until achieving Aguadilla’s Sugar Cane dock. Nearby it`s also possible to catch sight of Cueva Golondrinas, which environmentalists are fighting to protect from overdevelopment.
FAQs About Kayaking in Puerto Rico
What are the best kayaking spots for families in Puerto Rico?
Some of the best places for families to kayak in Puerto Rico include the Condado Lagoon, Carolina Public Beach, Punta Santiago Nature Reserve,Mosquito Bay, and Seven Seas Beach. Additional popular family kayaking spots exist in Aguadilla, Rincón, and Luquillo.
Where are the 3 bioluminescent bays in Puerto Rico?
The three bioluminescent locations in Puerto Rico are La Parguera,Mosquito Bay, and Laguna Grande. This last one, however, although often called a bay, is actually a lagoon.
Can you rent kayaks in Puerto Rico?
Visitors and travelers have the option to rent kayaks in Puerto Rico. Kayak rentals are available at nearly every beach. Some spots to rent kayaks comprise San Juan, Condado, Carolina, Ponce, Cabo Rojo, Aguadilla,Culebra, and Vieques.
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Those were the 17 top kayaking spots in Puerto Rico! For more water fun, check out my guide to the best scuba diving locations in Puerto Rico. Safe travels!
(Featured Image Credit: BrendaLee Quiles Alvarado / Shutterstock)
