Bioluminescence is to California as the Aurora Borealis is to the Arctic—an ephemeral natural display that’s positively mesmerizing.
What Is Bioluminescence?
These events occur when single-celled organisms, known as dinoflagellates, suddenly emit a glow after being disturbed or agitated. It doesn’t take much: Predators, or even wave action, can stimulate the release of light in these tiny organisms, which grow and accumulate during what are known as “red tides,” an algal bloom that is noticeable by day as a reddish or brownish cast in the water.
The light is produced through a chemical reaction inside the organisms and typically appears at night as a vivid blue glow. Breaking waves, splashing fish, kayaks, surfboards, and even footsteps in shallow water can create flashes or streaks of blue light, making the ocean appear to sparkle. Not all red tides produce visible bioluminescence, however, and the intensity of displays can vary widely depending on environmental conditions and the concentration of dinoflagellates in the water.
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Where Can I See Bioluminescence in California?
If you’re interested in seeing the wonders of bioluminescence for yourself, the good news is that the displays are by no means a once-in-a-lifetime event. They’re most common in spring and into summer, especially during years with a combination of good rains and warm weather. Now, the hard part: The challenge is knowing when, and where. Even the experts can’t accurately forecast bioluminescence. (If you’re not familiar with this phenomenon, check out a video of a pod of common dolphins, glowing as if lit with neon as they light up bioluminescent waters that went viral a few years ago.)
“We can’t predict when they are going to occur or how long they will last,” research biologist Michael Latz told the Los Angeles Times. “We know that they have been going on for a while. There’s been sampling and monitoring of these red tide events since 1900. Since then, there’s been at least a couple dozen major events.”
Best Bioluminescent Kayaking and Boat Tours
Several California outfitters offer guided excursions that can put visitors on the water during bioluminescent events. In Marin County, Blue Waters Kayaking runs popular nighttime paddles on Tomales Bay, where disturbed water can glow with streaks and flashes of blue light. Napa Valley Paddle also offers bioluminescence kayak tours on Tomales Bay during dark-moon periods.
In Southern California, Ocean Institute in Dana Point operates seasonal Bioluminescence Night Cruises, giving passengers the chance to witness glowing plankton from the deck of a research vessel. Visitors to Newport Beach and Upper Newport Bay can sometimes find special bioluminescence paddles through operators such as Moonlight Kayaking, while San Diego-area outfitters periodically schedule nighttime kayak trips when blooms are active. Because bioluminescence depends on natural conditions, many tours are announced only when sightings are confirmed and favorable conditions develop.
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Tips to Seeing Bioluminescence
Here are a few ways you can increase your chances of witnessing bioluminescence:
Monitor social media. The first reports of a bioluminescence event are likely to show up on Instagram and Twitter, which are easily searchable. You can also set up an alert on Google that will round up news coverage.
Check with aquariums. Especially if bioluminescence is happening locally, such institutions as the Birch Aquarium in La Jolla, the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey might post updates on their websites or social media feeds.
Find a dark location. If an event is ongoing, try to find a stretch of coast that’s as far away from light as possible. Get out before the moon rises for the best conditions and some experts also suggest that two hours after sunset is a good bet. Give your eyes time to adjust and use your flashlight’s red beam, which will keep your vision acclimated to the darkness.
Track hot spots. Because the best displays can vary from night to night, check again on social media for updates. While no two events are exactly alike, in recent years beaches and coves in Orange County, especially around Laguna Beach and Newport Beach, enjoyed prime light shows. The environmental website Treehugger named San Diego one of the world’s eight best places to see bioluminescent glows. Meanwhile, north of San Francisco at Point Reyes National Seashore, Tomales Bay is a dependable spot for bioluminescence and you can go out on guided trips with Blue Waters Kayaking.
