12 Places to See Bioluminescence Around the World

What is bioluminescence? Is it harmful to humans? Get all the facts on this fascinating natural phenomenon and find out where to see bioluminescence around the world.

By: Lynn Coulter

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Tasmania, Australia

Bioluminescence is a natural phenomenon produced by oceanic organisms like dinoflagellates when they're disturbed by movements in the water. Chemical reactions inside their bodies emit this cool blue or greenish light. "The bioluminescence is actually the defense mechanism of microscopic phytoplankton called dinoflagellates," says Josh Myers, operations manager at Florida Adventurer. The bright flash is meant to scare off predators.

You can see bioluminescence all over the world, but you have to look in the right places at the right times — usually mid to late summer. Dark or cloudy nights are the best times to see bioluminescence.

Bioluminescent tours and experiences are trending, so read on to find out where you can make a spectacular selfie when you wade into glowing waves under the Milky Way as seen here in Tasmania.

Before you travel, check for possible COVD-19 restrictions or closures.

Maldives

The island nation of the Maldives, in the middle of the equator, is known for its lovely beaches, crystal-clear water and overwater bungalows. It's also known for the sparkling blue lights scattered across the shores of Mudhdhoo Island on Baa Atoll. The sea is home to glowing plankton year-round, but the best time to see them is usually from June to December when they're present in large numbers and there's not much moonlight.

Tip: Another great place to see the glow is on the "Sea of Stars Beach" on Raa Atoll, Vaadhoo Island.

Luminous Lagoon, Jamaica

Of the few bioluminescent lagoons in the world — there are reputedly only four or five — Jamaica's Luminous Lagoon is said to be the brightest and largest. You can boat, raft or kayak in it.

Can you swim in bioluminescence? "According to some biologists, it is best if you avoid swimming in bioluminescent waters as there is potential for toxicity in extreme conditions," says Jeremy Edgar, owner, operator and tour guide at Fin Expeditions Kayak Tours. "That being said, I personally swim in the bioluminescence many times a year with friends and family and have never heard of an adverse reaction. Our local biologists tell us you would need to ingest something, like an oyster, that had bioaccumulation, so I do recommend people avoid eating anything from waters with heavily concentrated dinoflagellates. In other words, steer clear of glowing oysters."

Tip: Bring bug spray for your tour. Some brands are eco-friendly.

Matsu Islands, Taiwan

When they're disturbed, certain algae species glitter with blue light on the shores of Taiwan’s Matsu Islands. They float and form teardrop-shaped clusters commonly known as “sea sparkle” or “blue tears.” The best time to see them is from April or May into August or September. Some researchers think tiny shrimp, called ostracods, can also cause the lights. Click here for a map of the best places to see the blue tears.

Tip: Matsu locals suggest visitors allow extra days to look for the tears, since they're not always predictable and luck plays a role in spotting them.

Okayama, Japan

Sea fireflies belong to a class of crustaceans called ostropods that swim up in water columns at night to feed. They're easier to see when they reach shallow water and the waves wash them up on the shore. Okayama, Japan, is famous for its dense concentrations of sea fireflies. Researchers say they "spit out" a glowing blue mucus to ward off predators and then dart away, which accounts for images showing trails of light.

Tip: Check the tidal currents to see when sea fireflies are likely to be visible from the shore.

Florida's Space Coast

Bioluminescence varies by season and day. In Cocoa Beach, on Florida's Space Coast, large numbers of dinoflagellates typically illuminate the water from May or June to October and peak in July. The season for glowing comb jellies runs from about March to May. The Indian River Lagoon, Cape Canaveral, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Titusville and Mosquito Lagoon are also great spots along the Space Coast to see sparkles in the water.

Tip: Comb jellies are beautiful, transparent and jelly-like invertebrates. They don't sting.

Waitomo, New Zealand

Instead of hitting the beach to see bioluminescence, take a boat tour through the Glowworm Caves in Waitomo, New Zealand, a settlement located about 2 1/2 hours from Auckland. Want to see the magic up close? Walk through Ruakuri Caves or soar through the cave on a zip line, get off, climb into a tube and go "black water rafting" through an underground river.

Tip: You don't need caving experience. For the rafting adventure, bring a swimsuit and towel.

Mosquito Bay, Vieques, Puerto Rico

In 2006, Mosquito Bay, on the Caribbean island of Vieques, was named the brightest bioluminescence bay in the world, with an astounding average of 1 milltion to 2 million-plus dinoflagellates per gallon of water. Puerto Rico is also home to a bioluminescent lagoon in Laguna Grande, in Fajardo, near San Juan and a bioluminescent bay, La Parguera, in Lajas. La Parguera is the only bioluminescent bay that allows motorboats.

Tip: Many tour companies recommend leaving your camera at home. Unless you have professional gear, it's too dark to get great images, and you risk getting your equipment wet.

Samut Sakhon, Thailand

The sea looks like it's full of stars when seen from the Red Bridge (Sapan Daeng) in Samut Sakhon Province, near Bangkok, Thailand, but the light actually comes from bioluminescent plankton. Ko Phi Phi Island is another great place to see the glow, along with Railay Beach, on the mainland; Maya Bay, in Bangkok; and Ton Say Beach in Krabi.

Tip: Some areas in Thailand let you swim, snorkel or dive in the bioluminescence. Getting into the water at night can be dangerous, so take every safety precaution and consider going with a reputable, experienced tour company.

Jervis Bay, Australia

Less than a three-hour drive from either Sydney or Canberra, the beaches of Jervis Bay shimmer with blue bioluminescence, especially when they're backlit by a golden sunset. The colorful tides are most common in the warm months. Other places to see the glow include Preservation Bay in Tasmania and Port Lincoln in South Australia.

Tip: Scientists can't predict whether bioluminescent events will last from days to weeks. Check Instagram and Twitter or set a Google alert so you'll know when they're expected to show up.

Dalian, Laioning Province, China

Bioluminescence in China's Yellow Sea, near mainland China in the western Pacific Ocean, was first spotted in 2016. Although this neon-blue light is beautiful, the specific algae that caused this phenomenon are toxic, researchers say. Also called "sea sparkles," the algae, Noctiluca scintillans, can "bloom," or multiply, until they kill marine life and create dead zones and so-called red tides. Algae bloom has also occurred in the Gulf of Mexico, the Gulf of Maine and off the California coast.

Tip: In 2019, researchers discovered a glowing click beetle in China. Look for bioluminescence on the land as well as in the sea; for example, it occurs in fireflies, worms and fungi.

San Diego

San Diego is one of the best places in the world to see bioluminescence. In 2020, one of the most remarkable bioluminescent events in many years occurred from Baja to LA. A few videographers exploring the lights from a Zodiac Boat even spotted dolphins surrounded by the glow in Newport Beach Harbor. Other California hot spots for bioluminescent experiences include Tomales Bay, Laguna Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore, Santa Monica Bay and around the pier at Scripps Institute of Oceanography, shown here.

Tip: For the best view of the sparkling water, visit a dark California beach about two hours after sunset.

Bioluminescence Bodies

In 2009, Japanese researchers reported that humans glow, but our glimmer is too dim to see. Other scientists agree that we literally glow in the dark, but the light levels are 1,000 times less than the unaided eye can perceive. They think the light is triggered by chemical reactions in our cells and involves free radicals. We'd need sophisticated equipment to see our bioluminescence, although we see it in the ocean when certain microorganisms, fish and other creatures sense the movement of boats, paddles and even our feet.