Bioluminescence season: Blue-glowing natural wonder lights

Visit a dark area, close to new moon to view organisms best in water.

ORLANDO, FLA. — Natural magic is back on Florida’s East Coast in the form of single-celled organisms called dinoflagellates, which light up waters in bright blue hues.

The seasonal phenomenon attracts Floridians and tourists alike to witness the glowing plankton starting in early June. They can be viewed through September or October in the state’s brackish warm waters.

The microscopic organisms can use their blue glow as a defense mechanism to ward off predators, but that function doubles as a sight of amazement for humans who experience it. Some have commented the sensation looks like something out of Avatar’s Pandora, which is a fair comparison.

Dinoflagellates’ shine can be viewed best when conditions are hot and dry. Darker areas tend to be better, and the phase of the moon may also affect how well these microorganisms can be seen. Going closer to the new moon, when the sky is darker, yields the best results.

Mosquito Lagoon and Indian River are common places to witness this natural sensation. Motorized boaters can see the blue wonder, but paddlers have the benefit of quiet serenity on the water. Launch points include Titusville’s Parrish Park and boat ramps within Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, specifically Beacon 42 and Haulover Canal.

The refuge is an ideal place to catch the blue glow at its fullest, as tourists are somewhat removed from the city lights of Titusville, which also plays a factor in stargazing.

Some paddlers have also experienced bioluminescence in the nearby Banana River, which flows between Merritt Island and Cape Canaveral.

Though this may not be an exhaustive list, Central Florida companies offering tours include Get Up and Go Kayaking, Adventures in Florida, A Day Away Kayak Tours, BK Adventure, Florida Adventurer, Fin Expeditions, Epic Paddle Adventures, Calypso Kayaking, and Adventure Kayak of Cocoa Beach.

Be sure to pack bug spray, water and a flashlight, and consider attaching glowsticks to your bow and stern to be more visible to other boaters.

Bioluminescence is difficult to get on camera, but some iPhones or professional cameras with a long shutter speed have been able to capture the blue glow.

But even those photos can’t do the glow of the dinoflagellates justice, showing that some miracles in nature are best experienced in person.

PATRICK CONNOLLY/ORLANDO SENTINEL/TNS 2018 A long-exposure photo shows the bioluminescent blue glow of dinoflagellates beneath kayaks outside of Titusville, Florida.