Why I Didn’t Love Jamaica’s Luminous Lagoon (But You Still Might)

One of the things I was most excited to see in Jamaica was the “Luminous Lagoon.” When researching Jamaica, I came across stunning images of iridescent glowing waters, and knew I simply had to go.

Upon our arrival at our resort, my family immediately booked an excursion to the lagoon. Throughout the week, we kept hearing from other travelers how amazing the visit was. As the sun filled days passed, I grew more and more excited about experiencing the magical phenomenon for myself.

Spoiler Alert: Unfortunately for me, the so-called Luminous Lagoon wasn’t exactly as magical as I had anticipated! Before you decide to include this spot on your Jamaica itinerary, you may want to consider if a trip is worth it.

About The Luminous Lagoon

The Luminous Lagoon is a shallow bay that is home to rare bioluminescent microorganisms called dinoflagellates which glow when disturbed. The bay contains a mixture of ocean salt water and fresh river water, and its shallow depth of 3-8 feet makes it easy to see this unique phenomenon.  While it is impossible to see the microscopic creatures themselves, the light emitted by them is unmistakeable. After all, when was the last time water started to glow while you were swimming? Jamaica is home to one of the few Bioluminescent Bays in the world, and the Luminous Lagoon is considered by many to be one of the top tourist sites to visit in Jamaica.

Getting There

Most resorts offer tours to the Luminous Lagoon through various local tourism companies. From what I’ve seen, the prices vary from $45-$70 per person, including transportation from your resort.

You can also opt to drive there yourself and simply pay to get on the boats once you arrive.

The lagoon is located in Falmouth, which is about a 45-minute drive from Montego Bay, and is 1-1.5 hours from Ocho Rios.

That being said, the night my family and I choose to go it was raining extremely hard for about 3 hours. The traffic was so horrendous that it took us nearly 3 hours to arrive at the lagoon when we were only a 45-minute drive away!

The Experience

Once you arrive, you’ll pull up to a small bar and dock area, where you will get a wristband and wait for the next boat. Tours begin at sundown, and there are several boats taking off each hour. We only had to wait around 20 minutes.

You’ll want to bring:

• Swimsuit-don’t bring white! Mine was noticeably duller after I got out of the water
• Towel-for after jumping in and the ride back
• Cash-in case you’d like to purchase any drinks at the bar, or photos afterward
• Water shoes-I forgot mine, but the bottom is a bit mucky, so you’ll want them if you are squeamish

The boats hold around 30 people. Everyone just piles on, and you get driven to a spot in the bay perfect for seeing the luminescent creatures. Your guide will tell you a bit about the lagoon, and the dinoflagellate creatures that make it so unique.

Once you arrive at the swim spot, you’ll want to be one of the first people in the water. Once the dinoflagellates are agitated, they slowly begin to glow less and less. Swimming further from the boat will also make seeing them easier. You’ll have about 45 minutes total from the dock and back, so it is a relatively short trip. I also recommend grabbing the camera guy ASAP if you’d like any photos.

It is way too dark for a go pro, and I had trouble adjusting my camera settings with so little time and light. I opted to skip the camera and just enjoy the experience instead.

Why I didn’t love the Luminous Lagoon

Okay, so seeing the water light up and glow was pretty cool. But to be perfectly honest, I found the experience to be a little underwhelming.

Perhaps it was the 45-minute drive that turned into 3 hours.

Maybe it was all the rain which agitated the dinoflagellates quite a bit before we arrived, so they were no longer as bright.

It could have even been the fact that we were the last tour of the night and the water was no longer as bright.

Maybe it was just all of these, coupled with the fact that when you only have limited time and funds to spend on vacation, so you want to see the best of the best.

Of all of the excursions I went on, this was my least favorite (and I am not alone in that, my parents also felt that way, as did the other 4 in our tour group). I much preferred my visit to Dunn’s River Falls, and had a blast at the Blue Hole. If I could, I’d probably go back in time and try to head to Rick’s Cafe, or Bob Marley’s house instead.

Should you still go?

Just because I didn’t love the Luminous Lagoon doesn’t mean you won’t! I’ve heard of tons of people who loved the lagoon, and a couple I met said it was the highlight of their trip. I definitely think the rain from earlier in the evening negatively impacted my overall experience.

That being said, I am SUPER excited to be heading to a bioluminescent bay on my upcoming trip to Puerto Rico! I can’t wait to give the dinoflagellates a second chance, and will definitely update you on the experience!

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Have you been to a bioluminescent bay or the luminous Lagoon? If so, tell me about your experience in the comment section!

You might also like:

• 15 Essential Tips For An Awesome Stay At An All Inclusive Resort
• Climbing Jamaica’s Dunn’s River Falls: Tips For Visiting This Epic Attraction
• What To Pack For An All Inclusive Beach Vacation
• Why You Won’t Want To Miss The Blue Hole: Jamaica’s Hidden Gem

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