Diving can be beyond the magical when you experience the supernatural wonders of nature both on land and in the sea.
Glowing plankton is one of those wonders that will take your breath away. It isn't something that you can view every day so seize the moment when you finally are witness to its glorious beauty.
Marine biologists have located pockets of bioluminescent plankton in the oceans around the world. If you are trying to plot your destination for getting the chance to capture the sight before your very eyes, there are three popular locations that will definitely give you that thrill.
Vaadhoo Island in the Maldives possesses thousands of coral islands linked all together and surrounded by the Indian Ocean. As the sun goes down and the moon arises in the night sky, the waves hit the shore with a brillian blue sparkle as if the stars are beaming down and touching the water. The secret is plankton, giving this unbelievable quality of magic to the ocean.
Another area described in may dive publications is Bioluminescent Bay in Puerto Rico. The biological light produced by plankton is so powerful that the water is a bright, glowing blue to which nothing can compare. Noctiluca, an algae, is the main source for the light show with the dinoflagellate being called 'Sea Sparkle' for its intriguing effect.
Closer to home but just as beautiful as the rest are the beaches of Southern California. Waves crash against the shore glowing with a brilliant blue color thanks to a type of phytoplankton called Lingulodinium polyedrum. Scientists have come to the conclusion that the glow is a defense mechanism for these microorganisms. These natural lights are triggered by disruption or stress. Visitors come from afar just to see for themselves what is almost difficult to imagine.
The grand finale of the entire phenomenon is to enter the ocean for a night dive and wave your hand through the water only to be simply mesmerized by these tiny glowing specs of plankton known for their bioluminescence.
This is a gift of nature that every diver or snorkeler should put on their bucket list and behold at least once.
