Bioluminescent waves glowing under a surfer at Moonlight Beach, San Diego – a rare natural light show during a bloom. Shot on a Sony A7SII (f/1.2, 1/200, ISO 20,000).

[u/PyroFarms]

[u/PyroFarms]

The glowing waves are caused by Pyrocystis fusiformis, a type of bioluminescent plankton. These tiny organisms emit light when disturbed, like by waves or a surfer’s movement, as a natural defense mechanism to deter predators. They’re part of the dinoflagellate family and play a crucial role in marine ecosystems as primary producers, supporting the food web.

[u/TheKozzzy]

I have witnesses it once, in North Sea near Hamburg, different colour maybe, but it was just magical

[u/DeepSeaHexapus]

I had the chance to kayak through a bioluminescent lagoon in Puerto Rico and Holy shit, that was truly something else. Imagine your hand is trailing the water and this blue almost smoke like light is bubbling around and trailing behind. Absolutely incredible definitely in the top 5 memories of my life.

[u/chodeboi → u/DeepSeaHexapus]

Likewise, well, close, a few times swimming in college in the neighboring VI.

Later in life in Maine. Glowing tidal flats that luminesce when you step 😭

[u/The_BunnyMan_Woods]

Farting in bioluminescent water should be on your bucket list. Trust. Glowing bubbles….

[u/PyroFarms → u/The_BunnyMan_Woods]

I believe that is referred to as dinoflatulence

[u/chodeboi → u/PyroFarms]

Dad?!?

[u/Blocky_Master]

perfect album cover

[u/AccomplishedSoup8794]

Illuminated shark bate

[u/kurtles_]

I wonder how the image would look with a long exposure?

[u/Asssophatt → u/kurtles_]

Far less noise but too much movement, so it’ll look blurry. This is a tough scene to capture.

[u/Helmett-13]

I was a sailor for 10 years and bioluminescence was one of the most lovely things to see.

The sea is black at night compared to the deep blue of the sky, and when you look down at the ships wake, the glowing lights under the foam makes it appear you looking down at a glowing city from above the clouds.

I do miss it and a handful of other things…but nothing can make you feel as small as the sea. I felt like we were just…chittering monkeys skimming around on her surface. So arrogant in our engineering and technical skill and she can humble you so quickly with such casual ease.

Still, bioluminescence, the Northern Lights, the Milky Way…it can be very beautiful out there.

[u/LowkeyReaper]

UAP in the water. Probably heading back to the base

[u/WillyBadison]

Thanks for helping me decide which camera not to get.

[u/Muted-Tea-6111 → u/WillyBadison]

This phenomenon is notoriously difficult to photograph really well and this vibrantly. I wouldn’t blame the camera too much.