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DifficultyEasy
Age5+
Group sizeMax 15
GuideEnglish / Spanish / French
What you’ll do on the Holbox Bioluminescence: Night Kayak & Stargazing Eco Tour
This Holbox bioluminescence tour is a guided night kayak trip where plankton in the water light up around your paddle, followed by stargazing under a dark sky. It runs in small groups on the dark nights around each new moon and is open to travelers aged 5 and up, with no kayaking experience needed.
What you'll do
- Get picked up at your Holbox hotel 15 minutes before your selected time.
- Meet your certified guide and get your kayak and a wet bag for your belongings.
- Paddle into calm, dark water, away from busy areas and engine noise.
- Watch microscopic plankton glow blue each time your paddle or kayak moves the water.
- Learn about the marine life of Holbox and spot constellations with your guide.
- Paddle back and return to your hotel.
Who it's for
This quiet eco tour is for couples, families and nature lovers who want to see bioluminescence up close and learn a little marine biology and astronomy. It suits all fitness levels and children from age 5, and no kayaking experience is needed. The kayaks are powered only by you, so there is no engine noise and the group stays small. Your guide shares what they know about marine life and the night sky, and explains why darker nights make the glow stronger. Guides speak English, Spanish and French.
Good to know
- The tour runs only on the nights from 5 days before to 5 days after each new moon, about 11 nights in each lunar cycle. The glow can only be seen when the sky is dark, so please check the moon phase before booking. If your date is not suitable, we offer you another kayak experience or return your payment.
- In the rainy season there is no hotel pickup. We meet at Hotel Casa Las Tortugas instead.
- Bring mosquito repellent and clothes that can get wet.
- Your kayak, a wet bag and a certified guide are included. Tips are not included.
- The tour can be called off in bad weather.
- Up to 15 travelers can book together.
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Glowing water
Microscopic plankton light up around your kayak as you paddle in the dark.
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Dark nights around the new moon
The tour runs only from 5 days before to 5 days after each new moon, when the sky is dark enough to see the glow.
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Stargazing
Your certified guide points out the constellations and explains the local marine life.
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Quiet eco tour
Paddle-powered kayaks, no engine noise, and routes away from busy areas.
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No experience needed
Suitable for all fitness levels and ages 5 and up; kayak, guide and wet bag included.
What’s included
In the price
- ✓Kayak
- ✓Wet bag for your belongings
- ✓Certified guide
- ✓Round-trip hotel transport (meeting point in the rainy season)
Not included
- ✕Gratuities
Pickup from Holbox
Where we pick you up depends on your city. Check yours before booking.
| You’re staying in | Pickup | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Holbox | Hotel pickup | Pickup at your hotel 15 minutes before your selected time |
| Holbox (rainy season) | Meeting point | Meet at Hotel Casa Las Tortugas |
We pick you up at your hotel in Holbox 15 minutes before your selected time. In the rainy season there is no hotel pickup; instead we meet at Hotel Casa Las Tortugas. Bring mosquito repellent.
Read this before you book
Send us your accommodation first. Not every address can be reached by our vehicles. Send your hotel or Airbnb to one of our advisors on WhatsApp and they will confirm whether we pick you up at the door or agree a meeting point nearby.
Your pickup time is not the tour start time. They are very different. We collect you well before activities begin, because the drive and the other pickups on the route take time. Your advisor gives you your exact pickup time when your booking is confirmed — go by that time, not by the departure hour shown on this page.
Itinerary
- Pickup at your Holbox hotel
- Meet your certified guide
- Get your kayak and wet bag
- Paddle into dark, calm water
- Watch the plankton glow as you paddle
- Learn about marine life and stars
- Paddle back and return to your hotel
What to bring
Mosquito repellentClothes that can get wetCash for tips
Frequently asked
When does this tour run?
Only on the nights from 5 days before to 5 days after each new moon, about 11 nights in each lunar cycle. Bioluminescence in Holbox can only be seen when the sky is dark, so check the moon phase before you book.
Do I need kayaking experience?
No. The tour suits all levels and all fitness levels, and your guide stays with the group.
Can children join?
Yes, from age 5.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes. We pick you up at your Holbox hotel 15 minutes before your time. In the rainy season we meet at Hotel Casa Las Tortugas instead.
What should I bring?
Mosquito repellent, clothes that can get wet and some cash for tips.
Can I bring my phone?
Yes. A wet bag is included to keep your things dry in the kayak.
What languages do the guides speak?
English, Spanish and French.
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 72 hours before the start time; no refunds within 72 hours. Changes within 24 hours are not accepted.
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