Uploaded September 2017 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Fascinating and sparkling creatures that give a new face to the beach
It is a fact that there are living creatures that remain hidden in darkness, in the depths of the ocean… Nonetheless, there are others as the noctiluca scintillans –also known as the sea sparkle- whose main ability is ‘shining’, thus creating a night show that’s almost impossible to forget for those lucky ones that get to witness it.
These microorganisms are part of the plankton in the ocean, so when they detect 'threatening' movement nearby, they produce a chemical reaction that projects a cold light, creating a bioluminescent effect over the water, a natural phenomenon that can be observed in some destinations worldwide.
According to the University Of California Museum Of Paleontology, when dinoflagellates are touched, a chemical reaction takes place within their bodies. As the reaction takes place, their bodies glow a light greenish-blue color, and because there is a high concentration of about approximately 720,000 of these organisms just in this bay alone, every moving area of water takes on their glowing effect. It is amazing to kayak through these waters, with every smooth stroke of the paddle leaving a luminous trail in its path.
12 Glowing Beaches in the WORLD:
1. Mudhdhoo Island
This island in The Maldives offers a different kind of glow. The organisms at this beach seem to glow individually, causing the ocean to look like a cluster of bright spot, rather than a glowing ocean. These organisms also emit light for longer, so you’ll be able to see the glow without moving around too much.
2. Pandangbai Port
Located on the Indonesian island of Bali, this is the perfect place to see bioluminescence take place under water. You can go snorkeling to view these organisms lighting up, or you can take a boat out of the water. The more the organisms are disturbed, the brighter they glow, so make sure you are in the water and moving around to see the light show.
3. Mosquito Bay
This small, bioluminescent bay in Vieques, Puerto Rico is a small, hidden river that does indeed glow at night.
4. Luminous Lagoon
This lagoon in Trelawny, Jamaica is a popular tourist attraction due to its natural occurring bioluminescence. This lagoon is one of the brightest in the world due to its warm climate.
5. Toyama Bay
‘Firefly squid’ are the main reason this bay near the Japan Sea glows. These squid usually live deep under water, but due to a canyon in the bay, these squid get pushed to the surface, almost as if it were made for our viewing pleasure.
6. Mission Bay
In this part of San Diego, the waves of the ocean are red during the day, and neon blue at night due to the mass amounts of bioluminescent algae. Sometimes these algae can emit toxins that are dangerous to our health, so make sure you check out the satellite imagery for the day to see if you can go for a swim or not.
7. Halong Bay
This heritage site in Vietnam is another bay that features bioluminescence from movement. If you move through the water, a glowing trail will follow you. These waters are made for swimming, and you’ll see some pretty cool effects if you decide to dive in.
8. Jersey
This island is located in the United Kingdom, and features bioluminescent walks where you can witness the “stars below your feet”.
9. Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon
East coast Florida offers some amazing boat tours of these areas in the summer to view some of the bioluminescence in the area. These tours are set up at night when the lights are the brightest.
10. Torrey Pines Beach
Similar to Mission Bay, this San Diego beach features red waves during the day and blue waves at night. This beach, however, is a little spottier with its occurrences of bioluminescence.
11. Manasquan Beach
This New Jersey beach is very similar to Torrey Pines Beach when it comes to consistency, but when the tide is low, you can witness the brilliant red and blue colors that come from the algae. It’s best to witness this bioluminescence in the summer months between July and September, and the lights are much more vibrant at night than they are during the day.
12. Gippsland Lakes
Since 2008, the bioluminescence in this lake in Australia has been dimming slowly but surely. Of course the light is still visible, but it must be the right time of night, and will be very faint. If you do get the opportunity to see the glow, these waters are definitely safe for swimming, so dive in and surround yourself with the light that will surround you in the water.
Fascinating and sparkling creatures that give a new face to the beach
It is a fact that there are living creatures that remain hidden in darkness, in the depths of the ocean… Nonetheless, there are others as the noctiluca scintillans –also known as the sea sparkle- whose main ability is ‘shining’, thus creating a night show that’s almost impossible to forget for those lucky ones that get to witness it.
These microorganisms are part of the plankton in the ocean, so when they detect 'threatening' movement nearby, they produce a chemical reaction that projects a cold light, creating a bioluminescent effect over the water, a natural phenomenon that can be observed in some destinations worldwide.
According to the University Of California Museum Of Paleontology, when dinoflagellates are touched, a chemical reaction takes place within their bodies. As the reaction takes place, their bodies glow a light greenish-blue color, and because there is a high concentration of about approximately 720,000 of these organisms just in this bay alone, every moving area of water takes on their glowing effect. It is amazing to kayak through these waters, with every smooth stroke of the paddle leaving a luminous trail in its path.
12 Glowing Beaches in the WORLD:
1. Mudhdhoo Island
This island in The Maldives offers a different kind of glow. The organisms at this beach seem to glow individually, causing the ocean to look like a cluster of bright spot, rather than a glowing ocean. These organisms also emit light for longer, so you’ll be able to see the glow without moving around too much.
2. Pandangbai Port
Located on the Indonesian island of Bali, this is the perfect place to see bioluminescence take place under water. You can go snorkeling to view these organisms lighting up, or you can take a boat out of the water. The more the organisms are disturbed, the brighter they glow, so make sure you are in the water and moving around to see the light show.
3. Mosquito Bay
This small, bioluminescent bay in Vieques, Puerto Rico is a small, hidden river that does indeed glow at night.
4. Luminous Lagoon
This lagoon in Trelawny, Jamaica is a popular tourist attraction due to its natural occurring bioluminescence. This lagoon is one of the brightest in the world due to its warm climate.
5. Toyama Bay
‘Firefly squid’ are the main reason this bay near the Japan Sea glows. These squid usually live deep under water, but due to a canyon in the bay, these squid get pushed to the surface, almost as if it were made for our viewing pleasure.
6. Mission Bay
In this part of San Diego, the waves of the ocean are red during the day, and neon blue at night due to the mass amounts of bioluminescent algae. Sometimes these algae can emit toxins that are dangerous to our health, so make sure you check out the satellite imagery for the day to see if you can go for a swim or not.
7. Halong Bay
This heritage site in Vietnam is another bay that features bioluminescence from movement. If you move through the water, a glowing trail will follow you. These waters are made for swimming, and you’ll see some pretty cool effects if you decide to dive in.
8. Jersey
This island is located in the United Kingdom, and features bioluminescent walks where you can witness the “stars below your feet”.
9. Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon
East coast Florida offers some amazing boat tours of these areas in the summer to view some of the bioluminescence in the area. These tours are set up at night when the lights are the brightest.
10. Torrey Pines Beach
Similar to Mission Bay, this San Diego beach features red waves during the day and blue waves at night. This beach, however, is a little spottier with its occurrences of bioluminescence.
11. Manasquan Beach
This New Jersey beach is very similar to Torrey Pines Beach when it comes to consistency, but when the tide is low, you can witness the brilliant red and blue colors that come from the algae. It’s best to witness this bioluminescence in the summer months between July and September, and the lights are much more vibrant at night than they are during the day.
12. Gippsland Lakes
Since 2008, the bioluminescence in this lake in Australia has been dimming slowly but surely. Of course the light is still visible, but it must be the right time of night, and will be very faint. If you do get the opportunity to see the glow, these waters are definitely safe for swimming, so dive in and surround yourself with the light that will surround you in the water.
