Glow in the Dark Beaches

1. Gippsland Lakes, Australia

The Gippsland Lakes form Australia's largest network of inland waterways.

The lakes are perfect for all sorts of adventures on water, or simply for relaxing on the shore. You can rent a boat to cruise around, go waterskiing, paddle a kayak or canoe, or join a tour to see some rare dolphins and the even more rare glowing algae.

This strange phenomenon started with the 2006 bush fires, when subsequent torrential rains washed too much organic matter into the lakes, causing a massive algae bloom.

While they did cause some problems by blocking the amount of sunlight received by the lake creatures, the algae glowed a faint bluish light at night every time the water was disturbed.

Swimming became a very different experience, especially when skinny dipping.

The first time this happened was in 2008 and this bioluminescence is now slowly fading, which is good news for the lake plants and animals.

2. Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica

Golfo Dulce is located on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, in the southern region of the Puntarenas province.

Not as popular a tourist destination as Osa Peninsula, Golfo Dulce attracts passionate surfers looking for the world's longest left-hand breaks, for which the town of Pavones is well known.

The area is also the location of a dense rainforest within Parque Nacional Piedras Blancas, with spectacular biodiversity and a significant indigenous population.

Golfo Dulce is also a great place to observe bioluminescence at Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge.

The best time to enjoy this fantastic phenomenon is on a non-rainy, dark moonless night. If you walk to the lodge's boat dock, you will be able to notice that the water glows with every movement.

Ask the guide to take you out in a kayak not far from the shore and watch the blue and green fireworks with every stroke of the paddle.

If you like kayaking, you have to check out this video about Bioluminescence Kayaking in Cocoa Beach.

3. Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

Ha Long Bay is one of the most popular tourist destinations in northeast Vietnam. The bay is well known for its massive limestone islands covered by dense rainforest and surrounded by emerald green waters.

Most visitors go around aboard traditional junk boats or sea kayaks, passing by the more famous islands such as the Teapot Islets or Stone Dog.

The whole area is famous for great scuba diving, hiking and rock climbing, especially throughout Cát Bà National Park. While popular, Ha Long Bay also gets crowded and at times the water is full of trash, but further along the bay is Lan Ha Bay, less known but equally beautiful.

The best way to reach it is from Cat Ba Island. This remote part of the bay is also known for its spectacular bioluminescence. The guides bring their guests here in the middle of the night when there is no moon and let them jump into the dark water.

Every move and splash creates waves of magical blue-green light created by the bioluminescent algae.

4. Jersey, UK

While small, measuring only 9 by 5 miles, Jersey Island off the UK coast is unique in many ways. The history and geography have made it a mix of English reserve and French flair, with a distinct cosmopolitan vibe, timeless harbor, hidden valleys, great shopping, and incredible natural beauty.

Jersey is a popular tourist destination for visitors from both the UK and mainland Europe, whether for a short weekend or a longer holiday.

Among the many unique attractions that Jersey has to offer is the spectacular bioluminescence that lights up the sea at night as the ocean recedes to the low tide and star-like flashes of luminous green light twinkle in the shallow water.

The best way to experience this phenomenon is to take what is locally called a "moonwalk," a stroll across the shallow water possible only until the tide returns, when the footprints are submerged by 40 feet of water and the light has gone.

5. Luminous Lagoon, Jamaica

Located near the town of Falmouth along the vast marshlands of Trelawny, Luminous Lagoon used to play an important role during the heyday of Jamaica's sugar trade. Located at the point where the Martha Brae River spills into the Caribbean Sea, the lagoon had a big wharf where large British vessels once docked.

As the sugar trade declined, the lagoon became a popular tourist destination for one unique feature: It is one of the best places in the country to observe bioluminescence - a light produced here by tiny organisms called dinoflagellates that glow in the dark in the shallow warm waters of the lagoon.

On a dark night, millions of these little animals light everything they touch, from fish to plants and the occasional swimmer - tour guides bring their visitors to the quiet waters at night and let them swim surrounded by the magical light. Luminous Lagoon is considered one of the largest and most outstanding places for visitors to observe this brilliant spectacle.

6. Manasquan Beach, NJ

Located where the Manasquan River meets the Atlantic Ocean, Manasquan is a popular tourist destination, especially for families.

Stretched along the Jersey Shore, Manasquan has a mile-long sandy beach on the ocean and access to the Manasquan River for fishermen and boaters.

The beach is popular with surfers and swimmers and kids love the fine sand. The downtown is full of great shopping and restaurants, all within walking distance from the beach.

One of the most curious attractions on Manasquan Beach occurs during low tide when the night is moonless and dark: The bioluminescent algae put on quite a show of eerie glowing red and blue colors every time the water is disturbed. The best show is during the summer months, from July to September.

7. Mission Bay, California

Located in San Diego, Mission Bay Aquatic Park is the biggest water park in the world, a heaven for watersports enthusiasts, kids, families, and regular folk looking to enjoy a day on the water.

There is kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, water skiing, kite surfing, and much more. And outside the water there are wonderful hiking and biking trails, barbecues, picnic areas, bonfires on the beach, and anything else you can think of.

There is also a very special treat: During the day, the water sometimes turns red and at night it can glow a bright neon blue due to the large presence of bioluminescent algae. While swimming in the glowing waters is safe most of the time, there are times when the algae emit toxins that are damaging to human health.

If you cannot swim, take a kayak and paddle around surrounded by the magical glow.

8. Mosquito Bay, Puerto Rico

Mosquito Bay, better known as Bioluminescent Bay, is a tranquil, warm, shallow bay on the southern shore of the Puerto Rico island of Vieques.

The bay is world famous for its extreme bioluminescence, declared as the brightest in the world.

On a dark moonless night or when the moon is young, tiny organisms called dinoflagellates of the species Pyrodinium bahamense emit a bright blue light when disturbed. The conditions are particularly good for these small organisms, and the bright light they produce attracts tourists from all over the world.

Take a kayak to the middle of the bay and watch the explosions of light with every stroke of your paddle. Swimming among these dinoflagellates is no longer allowed as too many people have disturbed their fragile balance.

9. Mosquito Lagoon, Florida

Mosquito Lagoon is located in the heart of Florida. Part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway and the Indian River Lagoon system, it stretches between Ponce de León Inlet and the north end of Merritt Island.

The lagoon splits the city of New Smyrna Beach, running next to the Canaveral National Seashore, the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, and the Kennedy Space Center. The area offers wonderful boat tours through the canals, mangroves, and inlets, and every summer it becomes a place to come and see rare bioluminescence.

The tour guides take their guests out into the lagoon at night when there is no moon to see the bright blue and green lights that flash with every movement of the boat.

You can also paddle your own kayak and watch the stream of light spilling off your paddles or trailing behind your kayak.

10. Padang Bai Port, Bali

Padang Bai is a popular small coastal town near Candidasa in eastern Bali.

The town and its ferry port are the starting point for many touristy destinations such as Lembar on Lombok, the Gilis, and other Lesser Sunda Islands. Pandang Bai is one of the busiest in Bali, with thousands of tourists heading to Lombok and its wonderful white sandy beaches.

Diving is one of the most important activities, especially in Blue Lagoon, Tanjung Bungsil, and the Padang Bai channel. It is especially spectacular at night, when divers can observe the bioluminescence created by certain species of plankton.

When they turn off their dive torches, the divers find themselves surrounded by the eerie glow of blue and green lights.