Beaches that shine at night

It may surprise you that we talk to you about beaches that shine at night and wonder how it is possible. You will imagine that it is due to some type of natural phenomenon such as, for example, that of the Aurora borealis. However, it has nothing to do with these.

Or maybe you've already heard of the bioluminescence marina and you have even witnessed it. In this case, you will agree with us that it is a natural phenomenon full of charm and capable of fascinate any witness, even more so if it is produced in an environment as wonderful as the sea coast. Be that as it may, we are going to explain what this phenomenon of nature consists of and then talk about the beaches that shine at night.

The explanation: the phenomenon of bioluminescence

This name is given to the natural phenomenon by which living organisms generate light. It takes place by a biochemical process involving oxygen, a protein called luciferin, and the enzyme luciferase. It is a reaction that transforms chemical energy into light and occurs as follows.

El oxygen makes it rust Luciferian, which provides the energy for the process. The luciferase accelerates the reaction and the result is that water is generated and, above all, light. This is not the place to go into purely chemical questions that have a more academic nature. But we will tell you that bioluminescence can be generated by both mushrooms as for bacteria and by different types of animals both unicellular and multicellular. Among these, molluscs, crustaceans, cephalopods, worms, jellyfish and even fish.

It is also interesting to mention that bioluminescence can be of different colors. These will depend on the organisms that produce it. In the vast majority of cases, the pitch is green or blue. However, for example, that caused by Peryphylla peryphilla, an abyssal jellyfish, is reddish.

On the other hand, we should not confuse bioluminescence with fluorescence. In the latter, the energy of a previous light source is obtained, which is then sent with another photon. Instead, bioluminescence is a chemical reaction, as we told you.

Some beaches that shine at night

On land, the most popular case of bioluminescence is that of fireflies, that shine in the night. You can see them in many places on the planet, but the most famous in the world is the town of kuala selangor, a Malaysia, in case you have occasion to travel there. But, going back to bioluminescence, we are going to show you some beaches that glow at night because of it.

Vaadhoo Beach

This wonderful beach is located in the heavenly Maldiva's Islands, specifically in the atoll of Raa. So spectacular is the bioluminescence that occurs on its coast that it has been given the poetic name of “Sea of ​​stars”.

The reality is a bit more prosaic. The phenomenon is caused by a dinoflagellate phyto-plankton. When the tide goes out, it accumulates on the shore and, when it comes into contact with the oxygen in the air, the reaction takes place. The result is sand painted blue as if it were precisely a constellation of stars.

On the other hand, this phenomenon is visible throughout the year in vaadhoo. But it is appreciated with greater intensity when the temperatures are higher and, logically, the darkest night. Imagine the pleasure of bathing in those waters next to the blue shore. Because it is also important that you know that there is no danger in doing so. In fact, many people take a bath and, by moving the water, they intensify that bluish color.

Laguna Grande

We travel now to the wonderful Puerto Rico, with its impressive nature, to show you another of the beaches that shine at night. We refer to the Laguna Grande, which is near the city of Fajardo, in the northeast of the country. In his case, it is also a dinoflagellate organism that causes bioluminescence and every day dozens of tourists come to observe the phenomenon.

As a curiosity, we will tell you that on November 11, 2013, Laguna Grande suddenly turned off. It had never happened and all the alarms went off. The Fajardo City Council hired a team of biologists to investigate the event. It seems that the cause could have been two sanitary pumps that had been installed in the nearby residential area of The crobas.

Fortunately, everything ended well and, after nine days off, Laguna Grande shone again. But the causes of the lack of bioluminescence during that time have not been entirely clear.

On the other hand, if you visit this wonder, take advantage of your stay in Fajardo to see others in the area. For example, the Reserve of the Heads of San Juan, with its spectacular virgin landscapes. And also him El Yunque National Forest, rainy tropical type and with almost forty kilometers of wonderful hiking trails.

The Blue Grotto

We now pass to another wonderful place that is in the island of Malta, specifically about fifteen kilometers from Valletta. The landscape alone deserves your visit, as it is a set of caves under spectacular cliffs and bathed by a rough sea.

The only way to visit this wonder of nature is in boat. They come from the nearby Wied iz-Zurrieq, a cute fishing village, and they make a spectacular tour under the rocks. As a result, you will see different cavities in which different shades of blue are produced, ranging from dark to phosphorescent. As an anecdote, we will tell you that this cave multiplied its fame after appearing in 2004 in the movie Troy, Starring Brad Pitt.

On the other hand, if you travel to this cave, be sure to visit Valletta, capital of the country, declared a World Heritage Site for its enormous monumental complex. It would be impossible for us to tell you here about all the works of art he owns. But we recommend that you see the St. John's Co-Cathedral, with a classic exterior, but a baroque interior; the Palace of the Grand Master, Renaissance style and current headquarters of the Presidency of the Republic, and museums such as the National Archeology or the Fine Arts.

toyama bay

We accompany you now until Japan to tell you about the toyama bay, which is in the region of Hokuriku of the island of honsu, the largest in the country where there are also Tokyo u Osaka. In this case, bioluminescence is not produced by the effect of plankton, but by the so-called firefly squid.

It is a very common species in the Asian country that has blue phosphorus in its skin. Between March and June it rises to the surface of the sea causing bubbles of that color. As it moves in large herds, the effect is that the water is bluish.

On the other hand, if you find yourself in this area of Japan, we advise you to visit the city of Toyama. It is modern, since it was practically in ruins during the Second World War, but it has several points of interest. The first of these is the reconstruction of its castle, which currently houses the city's history museum and has a beautiful Japanese-style garden.

But, if you want to have a magnificent view of the tateyama mountain range, we recommend that you go to the town hall lookout. You should also go to kansui park, where you will see the spectacular tenmon bridge. And finally, if it's spring, take a cruise on the Matsu River. You will see beautiful cherry blossoms and a beautiful sculpture park.

Holbox, several beaches that shine at night

The Mexican state of Quintana Roo has a lot to offer you. Located in the impressive Yucatan peninsula, hosts the popular Riviera Maya. But it also has wonderful islands to show you. One of them is that of Holbox, whose beaches present another case of spectacular bioluminescence.

It is intermittently linked by a sand tongue to the peninsula and has channels that connect it to the Yalahau Lagoon. Of its natural importance, the fact that it is part of the Yum Balam Flora and Fauna Protection Area. But, above all, the almost forty kilometers of beach on this island offer you the phenomenon of bioluminescence, combining blue tones with others that are more greenish.

No less beautiful is the aforementioned Yalahau Lagoon, which also served as a home for pirates and is full of legends. Precisely, one of them says that the pirate Molas chose it to hide his treasure. In doing so, she availed herself of a slave whose head she then cut off and buried with the jewels. According to the myth, on dark nights, her ghost appears over the treasure, warning of where it is hidden. But the most beautiful legend tells that a Mayan king took it as a recreational site and had beautiful fountains and gardens built and even a pool decorated with jade for his wives.

In conclusion, we have shown you several beaches that shine at night due to the phenomenon of marine bioluminescence. But we can mention many others. For example, without leaving Mexico, you have sites like Manialtepec Lagoon, in the state of Oaxaca. Likewise, in Jamaica you have the Luminous Lagoon and in United States beaches like those of Torrey pines in San Diego (California) or that of Navarre in Miami. Don't you find fascinating landscapes?