10 Bioluminescent Beaches

The experience is always amazing, although the “miracle” only occurs at night. It makes no difference if you decide to swim in the kind waters of the Caribbean and the Americas, and then envision yourself in the selfsame Milky Way, surrounded by colorful and sparkling stars. If you choose to observe at a distance the luminescent show caused by living organisms as a result of a chemical reaction, whether for defending themselves or just to boasting their irresistible charm to hunt. Witnessing such an impressive phenomena named sea bioluminescent may be the main incentive for your next quest in ten different places of the region, which will certainly captivate you.

1-LAGUNA GRANDE, FAJARDO, PUERTO RICO

The abundance of microorganisms such as dinoflagellate causes Laguna Grande, in Fajardo, to light up darkness. However, this place, along with La Parguera, in Lajas, and Bahia Mosquito, in Vieques, amaze you and not only at sunset, but at any time of the day. Its beauty is unique by both its countless white, black, red, and button mangroves, which have intertwined themselves to creating a tunnel where you can enjoy the Yellow-crowned Night-heron, white heron, garzons, little green heron, pelicans, and fiddler crab…while observing in the distance El Yunque and Las Cabezas de San Juan lighthouse, the second oldest in Puerto Rico, built in 1880.

2-PUNTA COCOS, HOLBOX ISLAND, QUINTANA ROO, MEXICO

Washed by the waters of the Caribbean Sea, in Holbox, an island with pristine beaches close to the town of Chiquila —150 km away of the Cancun International Airport; its people live off tourism and lobster’s fishery— you can find Punta Cocos, which amazes with the splendid night show of lights in the sea thank to the bioluminescent plankton. Punta Cocos is within a walking distance, or you can get there on bicycle. This trip always pays off not only because of the turtle nests and starfishes, but also the practice of water sports. Holbox, wildlife reserve and protected area of the flora and fauna Yum Balam, invites you to swim near a whale shark.

3-LAGUNA ENCANTADA, ISLAS DEL ROSARIO, COLOMBIA

In this spot in the Caribbean Sea, the Corales del Rosario y de San Bernardo National Park —near Cartagenas de Indias— was created few years ago. This is the most important body of coral reefs in Colombia. The Rosario Islands are ideal for scuba diving for the variety of shape, colors, and species present in its water: calcareous algae, sponge, ghost feather dusters, anemone, soft coral…but on top of that, there is Laguna Encantada, famous for presenting an imposing “fireworks” show, any movement under the sea “triggers” the bioluminescent phytoplankton and depths gleam.

7-XPICOB BEACH, CAMPECHE, MEXICO

Ideal for ecotourism and rural tourism lovers. Xpicob Beach is located at La Ensenada, 15 minutes away from the southern city of Campeche, World Heritage Site since 1999. On one hand, this is a magical place at nights. Fishes leave behind a curious trace shinning with fluorescent plankton. On the other hand, there is a turtle hatchery where 27 endangered species are protected and provide new experiences to enjoy to the full the boat ride, recreational fishing, diving, birdwatching of species such as the magnificent frigatebird, or discovering the secrets of craftworks with seashells and conch shells.

5-LAGUNA LUMINOUS, FALMOUTH, JAMAICA

Montego Bay, Negril, and Grand Palladium are paths that will lead you to Laguna Luminosa, one of the most famous natural wonders in Jamaica, a country that invites you to enjoy the experience of finding out the legend of the White Witch of Rose Hall or climbing over the terraces of the waterfalls on Dunn River. Nonetheless, sailing in a glass bottom boat to near the city of Falmouth is what will take your breath away as you may swim with inoffensive phytoplankton in very dazzling waters. An opportunity you will only find in few places around the world.

6-PUNTARENAS, COSTA RICA

As it happens with lighting bugs, in the waters of Puntarenas, near the Nicoya Gulf, it seems that jewels are hidden as the very little organisms living there turn their chemical energy into light. Taking a picture with your cellphone of such dreamed moment is quite complicated and few have had that privilege. But you may treasure amazing memories if you take profit of your chances with the proximity of the area in the Costa Rican Pacific with the San Lucas Island (also known as Hombres Solos Island), Jesusita Island, with the Guayabo Wildlife Reserve, Negritos Island, and Cedros, sites you will certainly love.

4-BAHIA MOSQUITO, VIEQUES ISLAND, PUERTO RICO

There are three bays in Vieques —Mosquito, Tapon, and Puerto Ferro—, but one of them is the best example of bioluminescent perfection. Bahia Mosquito holds the Guinness World Record as the brightest of the world. The dinoflagellate specie responsible of such wonder in Nena Island, as the Puerto Rican poet named it, is the Pyrodinium bahamense. Once shelter for pirates, it touches the Atlantic and the Caribbean in the former U.S. military base where beauty and history fuse. The island is 33 km long and 7,2 km wide, and impresses with its Punta Mulas lighthouse, its Conde de Mirasol fortress, and the Luis Munoz Rivera square with a bust of Simon Bolivar.

8- MANIALTEPEC, OAXACA, MÉXICO

Cuando se pinta de un color azul intenso parece un espectáculo surrealista el que ocurre cuando cae la noche en este sitio situado a 15 min de Puerto Escondido, rumbo a Pinotepa Nacional, en el Estado de Oaxaca. Se dice que es sublime la sensación que se vive si eliges nadar mientras cae la lluvia, momento en el que este fenómeno se hace más palpable también en tu cuerpo que de pronto comienza a brillar. Rodeada de manglar, durante el día esta masa de agua constituye un excelente observatorio de aves migratorias, pero además de una extensa variedad de especies como garzas, iguanas, ibis, patos y loros. Esta laguna cuenta con pequeñas áreas de playa donde se puede pescar la mojarra, el robalo o el bagre.

9- TORREY PINES BEACH, SAN DIEGO, ESTADOS UNIDOS

Torrey Pines Beach, San Diego, bien que hubiera podido ser el escenario donde James Cameron rodara su película Avatar, poblada de escenarios fluorescentes de ensoñación, porque allí también, en ciertos momentos del año, la playa se pinta de azul eléctrico. Con unas puestas de sol increíbles, es magnífica para la práctica de surf o kitesurf. Su localización bajo los imponentes acantilados desde donde se pueden avistar ballenas que suben la costa al norte en febrero o la bajan al sur en otoño, permite realizar actividades de senderismos y escalada. No muy lejos está el Torrey Pines Golf Course, sede de campeonatos internacionales, con sus 36 hoyos y sus espectaculares vistas al mar.

10-NAVARRE BEACH, FLORIDA, ESTADOS UNIDOS

Además de albergar inquietos dinoflagelados que salpican de chispas y luces verdeazules las aguas, como si fuera un cielo marino, con lo cual ofrece la posibilidad de avistar un capricho de la naturaleza difícil de contemplar, Navarre Beach, alejada de las playas sureñas colmadas de turistas y parques temáticos, asegura tranquilidad y millas de arena fina. Ubicada al noroeste del Estado, a escasa distancia de Pensacola Beach, para muchos resulta el secreto mejor guardado de la Florida.