For Starry Waters and Tiny Glowing Squids, Head to These Best Places to See Bioluminescence

Save this storySave StorySave this story The best places to see bioluminescence around the world sit atop many travelers’ bucket lists. Whether it's through the pages of glossy magazines like ours, glittering on social media feeds, or told through the tales our jet-setting loved ones share on their return from their latest adventure, this natural phenomenon is undeniably captivating. Perhaps it's jellyfish that twinkle at the harbor’s edge or plankton that creates scenes akin to starry skies as toes paddle in the ocean. Either way, bioluminescence is a fascinating natural phenomenon that, once witnessed, is impossible to forget. However, it’s unlikely that you’ll see glittering, rippling waters by chance. Here, from the shores of Oaxaca in Mexico to Maldivian atolls via the British Isles, we reveal the best places to see bioluminescence in all its dazzling forms.

It is generally safe to touch and swim in bioluminescent waters, especially in destinations where the sparkling waters are featured as tourist attractions with boat trips and excursions. However, some bioluminescence results from harmful algal blooms that can cause skin rashes and severe illness if ingested. When in doubt, research the area you’re visiting thoroughly and speak to guides on organized trips.

The picture-perfect islands of the Maldives are some of the best places to see bioluminescence around the world, thanks to an abundance of plankton that illuminates the waves after sunset. While it’s possible to see the phenomenon on islands across the archipelago, one of the most famous spots of them all is on the quietest side of Vaadhoo Island, a minuscule island of the Raa Atoll known for its beachy corner nicknamed the sea of stars.

When to go: Between June and OctoberHow to get there: Domestic flight and boat transfer from Velana International Airport in MaléWhere to stay: Vaadhoo Island lacks the honeymoon-esque stays you may associate with the Maldives, check into InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort and appreciate the glowing waters footsteps away from your beachside abode.

You may not have heard of the picturesque island of Vieques. However, you’ve likely seen the spectacle that occurs after sundown, when Mosquito Bay becomes a glossy blue portal thanks to the bioluminescent dinoflagellate Pyrodinium bahamense, which glows blue when agitated. Glide through the waters on a clear-bottomed kayak with a local tour operator for a truly mesmerizing experience.

When to go: December to April (dry season)How to get there: Direct flight from San Juan (SJU) followed by a ferry to ViequesWhere to stay: Go back to nature, albeit with the luxury trimmings, at the cozy Finca Victoria.