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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.

4-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.  

7-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, Mexico

When it turns into a deep blue color, it looks like a surreal show as night falls in this place located 15 minutes away from Puerto Escondido, way to Pinotepa Nacional, in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. It is said it is sublime the feeling of swimming while the rain falls. This is the time when the phenomena is tangible in your own body, when you start shining bright as well. Surrounded by mangroves, this water body becomes an excellent monitoring site to enjoying migratory birds, a wide variety of bird species such as herons, iguana, ibis, ducks, and parrots. This lagoon has small beach areas where you can fish breams, sea basses, or catfishes.

9-Torrey Pines Beach, San Diego, United States

Torrey Pines Beach, San Diego, could have been perfectly the stage where James Cameron’s film Avatar could have been shot. With plenty of fluorescent, dreamed scenes, the beach sometimes is painted in electric blue. With a magnificent sunset, this is ideal for the practice of surfing or kitesurfing. Its location, under the imposing cliff from where you can spot whales that come North on February or go South in Autumn, you can engage in hiking and mountain climbing. Not very far away you find the Torrey Pines Golf Course, hosting international championships, with its 36-hole golf course and impressive sea views.

10-Navarre Beach, Florida, United States

Besides housing restless dinoflagellate with sparks and bluish-green lights, as if they were a navy-blue sky, it offers the opportunity to enjoy a fluke of nature hard to observe. Navarre Beach, far from the usual southern beaches crowded with tourists and theme parks, showcases calmness and miles of fine sand. Located Northeast of the state, very close to Pensacola Beach, it is for sure the best kept secret in Florida.