Bioluminescent destinations have been a big travel trend for 2022, and you might be wondering how to see bioluminescence to get in on the phenomenon. When you’re looking for a breathtaking and unforgettable getaway, the best places to see bioluminescence around the world truly deliver with their glowing beaches and dazzling waters.
While snaps and pics of different bioluminescent beaches can pique your interest, there’s nothing like seeing bioluminescence IRL. So, you may want to add one of the most popular bioluminescent destinations to your bucket list, ranked by the number of Instagram hashtags by travel company Next Vacay.
Once named one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Mosquito Bay in Puerto Rico is a destination to add to your bucket list. If you’re looking for stunning bioluminescence, book a clear-bottom kayak tour for the best views of the water.
The firefly squid are what give Toyama Bay in Japan its blue glow. If you have Japan on your travel bucket list, a stop at Toyama Bay is a must just to see these creatures shine.
Reethi Beach is located on Baa Atoll in the Maldives. It’s just the place for you and your partner to take a romantic weekend getaway, and a nighttime beach date to see the bioluminescent waves is just what you need.
You can’t go wrong with a place named Luminous Lagoon. This gorgeous lagoon in Jamaica gets its stunning bioluminescence from the millions of dinoflagellates that light up the waters at night.
Perhaps fireflies are more your vibe for bioluminescence. If that’s the case, you’ll want to visit Big South Fork in Kentucky and Tennessee, which has a stunning firefly season from May to June.
Instead of seeing bioluminescent waves, you can witness the glowing phenomenon by exploring the Waitomo Caves in New Zealand with its bioluminescent glow worms.
While you’re in San Diego, you can also visit another top bioluminescent location at the Torrey Pines Beach. Not only does this beach have luminous waters, but the rocky cliffs nearby also give you the full Pacific Coast experience.
For a tropical getaway, Little Corn Island in Nicaragua is like a little slice of paradise. After relaxing in the sun all day, you and your partner can take romantic stroll at night to see the bioluminescent beach.
Plan a trip to the Pacific Northwest to see the bioluminescence happening around San Juan Island in Washington. You can even take a kayak tour to see the glowing wonder up close.
The Blue Grotto in Malta is like a cave of bioluminescent wonders. Off the coast of Italy, you’ll find this glowing destination that actually gets its shine not from algae or plankton, but from the sunlight peaking through the grotto’s entrance.
Central Florida may have Walt Disney World with its fireworks, but there’s also another stunning nighttime spectacular happening on the coast as well. Titusville has some of the most popular bioluminescent waters in the U.S.
For pure relaxation, you’ll want to head down south to Isla Holbox, Mexico. While you’re there, you can relax in the sand, drink some margaritas, and check out the cosmic glowing waters at night.
Cruise down the Pacific Coast Highway to Mission Bay in San Diego, CA for the second best bioluminescent destination in the world. By day, the water may appear red, but at night, it glows a stunning bright blue.
The Halong Bay in Vietnam was ranked the best bioluminescent destination in the world with over 6 million visitors who come to this place to see the glowing blue plankton each year.