The nighttime ocean phenomenon you must see
What's the story
Bioluminescent tides are a beautiful phenomenon that makes the ocean appear to glow with its own light.
It is caused by marine organisms emitting light when they are disturbed, it's a truly magical experience.
These glowing waters can be found in many places around the world, offering a unique opportunity for a memorable night adventure.
Here are some of the best places to witness this natural wonder.
Puerto Rico
Mosquito Bay's glowing waters
Puerto Rico's Mosquito Bay in Vieques holds the Guinness World Record for the brightest bioluminescence. The bay's high concentrations of dinoflagellates create an ethereal glow.
At night, visitors can kayak through the waters, each paddle stroke igniting a burst of light.
To experience the full effect, plan your visit during a new moon, when the darkness amplifies the bioluminescent glow.
Indian Ocean
Maldives' sea of stars
The Maldives presents a truly magical spectacle of bioluminescence - the Sea of Stars on Vaadhoo Island.
Millions of microscopic phytoplankton generate this ethereal glow along the shoreline.
While the phenomenon can happen randomly throughout the year, it is most pronounced during the late summer months when conditions are ideal.
Australia
Tasmania's glowing bays
Tasmania's southern coastlines sometimes glow with bioluminescence, visible in bays such as Port Arthur and Hobart's Derwent River.
The dinoflagellate Noctiluca scintillans, also known as sea sparkle, is responsible for the blue-green glow that can be seen at night in these waters.
While sightings are not guaranteed, your best bet is to look for them after a few warm days, ideally followed by calm nights.
Jamaica
Luminous Lagoon experience
Jamaica's Luminous Lagoon located just a short drive from Falmouth offers one of the most accessible opportunities to witness the magic of bioluminescence.
Boat tours transport you to the heart of this shallow lagoon, where the disturbance caused by fish and the boat itself triggers a glow from billions of microorganisms known as dinoflagellates.
This ethereal light show comes to life under the cover of darkness.
Vietnam
Halong Bay's magical nights
Halong Bay in Vietnam comes alive with bioluminescent activity during plankton blooms in spring or autumn.
The temperature fluctuations between day and night create the perfect conditions for these light-emitting organisms.
The ethereal glow against limestone karsts makes this a magical experience. One can explore it by kayak or boat tour under the starry skies, amplifying the experience with the absence of artificial lights nearby.