Sure, we’ve all heard the colorful descriptions of the azure waters of the Caribbean’s best destination, also known as Puerto Rico. You’ve probably seen your fair share of spectacular beaches, and you’ve probably spent a summer’s night somewhere at the water’s edge looking up at the stars too. No matter where you were, in your own backyard or on a tropical vacation, you’ve been dazzled by the spectacular light show of the sky. You may even be lucky enough to say you saw the aurora borealis.
Nothing compares to the reflection of the stars on the ocean on a balmy night. Imagine, though, being able to see a dazzling show of sparkling lights right in the ocean beaches only at night. This spectacular light show is called bioluminescence. Bioluminescence is one of the most dazzling phenomenon earth has to offer.
Micro-organisms in the water are busy at work during the night lighting up the ocean with their dazzling display. This is what creates bioluminescence. If you’ve never seen it before, it’s like nothing else you will ever see and indescribable.
Here is a list of some of the bioluminescent waters of the world.
San Juan Island, Washington
If you want to be part of the bioluminescent party, grab your kayak and start paddling your way through the North Bay shoreline. Here you will see liquid starlight sparkling in colors of blue and silver swirling through the waters as you make your way. Hang out in one of the coves for the best seat in the house.
Bioluminescent Bay, Puerto Rico
Along the south shores of Vieques lies one of the island’s most curious spectacle known as Mosquito Bay. This is one of the most vibrant and active bioluminescent bays for visiting. The organisms emit a bluish-green glowing light especially when they are disturbed. While there are a few bioluminescent bays in Puerto Rico such as in Fajardo, Mosquito Bay is said to be the most vibrant, lit up bay there is.
Night time tours might take you through the bay down toward a lagoon where all the action is. As you paddle your kayak through the waters, the movement of both the kayak and the paddles through the water causes it to light up the night. Some describe it as other-worldly.
The Blue Grotto, Malta
There is a curious mix of ingredients that go into making the Blue Grotto such a dazzling spectacle. The water pounding against the cliffs, the caves, and the sun all make up the necessary parts of this spectacular natural sight.
Hundreds of thousands of tourists come to visit for many reasons – one of them being to see the spot where the film, Troy, was featured starring Brad Pitt, and another to dive there. The phosphorescent colors of the underwater life mix and mingle with the deepest of ocean blues to create a dazzling spectacle for visitors in the hundreds of thousands.
The Blue Tides of San Diego
While this is not something you can set your watch to, the blue tides of San Diego when they do occur are spectacular. Believe it or not, the algae in these waters give it a reddish tint during the day, but at night, the show begins. As the waves crash and the tide ebbs and flows, the algae converts to the brightest bluest color illuminating the sea.
Thousands of people will gather on the beach at night to try to catch a glimpse, snap a photo or take a video of this amazing spectacle of nature.
Toyama Bay Japan
While not caused by bioluminescent reasons, Toyama Bay Japan, is an amazing spectacle. Millions of tiny squid light up the bay every year as these squid come to breed. They are called firefly squid for a reason as they light up the waters like a million fireflies on a summer’s night.
You never know when you might find yourself in one of these locations and see a dazzling spectacle looking like millions of fireflies or the entire body of water glowing blue. Plenty of people chase plenty of passions from finding antique jewelry to ghost chasers. You never know, you might want to consider adding bioluminescent chasing to your bucket list.
