Bioluminescence
This adventure takes place in the gulf side of the Nicoya peninsula. Your experience begins in the late afternoon, cruising slowly over the calm waters of the Nicoya gulf on a boat. Once the night falls, the plankton will glow in every stroke of your hand.
Our boat captain and naturalist guide will lead you to the best spots where the glowing algae accumulates. Using snorkeling masks, you will have the opportunity to admire this phenomenon from underwater. For a full hour, you will be enchanted by how every stroke of your arms leaves behind a glowing swirl of bluish light. Those not interested in swimming in the ocean at night, can still appreciate the bioluminescence phenomena from the boat. This experience is also available on kayaks.
Please keep in mind that the darker the night, the better the experience will be. Around a full moon, the light from the moon is so strong that it makes it harder to see the bioluminescence, while nights close to the new moon, or quarters, offer ideal conditions.
Bioluminescence tour options
Private boat trip from Tambor Bay: this tour starts at 430pm or 5pm (depending on the time of the year) from Tambor bay, first the boat will enter the mangrove ecosystem of Pochote river, after that the boat will anchor in Playa Muertos to see the sunset from this gorgeous beach, once it gets dark, you will be able to enjoy the bioluminescence using snorkeling masks. Water, fruits and snacks included.
Kayak tour from Paquera: this kayak tour begins at 5pm or 530pm (depending on the time of the year) in the calm waters of Paquera, either in a single or double kayak. You will see the sunset from your kayak while paddling near the islands located in front of Punta Cuchillo and once it gets dark, you will be able to enjoy the bioluminescence with every stroke of your paddles. Water and fruits included.
Please let us know if you will have a car rental or if you need us to provide round trip transportation to our bioluminescent locations.
Quick Guide:
Availability: daily (moon phase depending), please ask.
Departure: 3:30pm or 4pm from Santa Teresa, tour starts at 430pm or 5pm, depending on the time of the year, please ask.
Length: 2,30 - 3 hours.
What to bring: swimwear, sandals, sunglasses, sun protection, towel, dry bag and camera.
Suggested Transportation: car rental, taxi.
Max. Occupancy: 12 people per boat / single or double kayaks.
Bioluminescence at a glance
Bioluminescence is the production and emission of light by a living organism. It is a form of chemiluminescence that occurs widely in marine vertebrates and invertebrates such as bacteria, algae, jellyfish, worms, crustaceans, sea stars, octopus and sharks, to name just a few, while on land it occurs in fungi, bacteria and in some groups of arthropods such as fireflies.
The uses of bioluminescence by animals include camouflage, mimicry, attraction of mates, to lure prey and to distract predators, but also for communication. Some fish dangle a lighted lure in front of their mouths to attract prey, while some squid shoot out bioluminescent liquid instead of ink, to confuse their predators, while worms and tiny crustaceans use bioluminescence to attract mates. Bioluminescent organisms live throughout the water column, from the surface to the seafloor, from near the coast to the open ocean.
Underwater light
How is it made?
Bioluminescence occurs through a chemical reaction that produces light energy within an organism's body. For a reaction to occur, a species must contain luciferin, a molecule that, when it reacts with oxygen, produces light. There are different types of luciferin, which vary depending on the animal hosting the reaction. Many organisms also produce the catalyst luciferase, which helps to speed up the reaction.
Most deep-sea animals produce some bioluminescent light, but the phenomenon isn’t relegated to the deep, one of the most common sightings occurs at the surface of the ocean. Many small planktonic surface dwellers such as single celled dinoflagellates are bioluminescent. When conditions are right, dinoflagellates bloom in dense layers at the surface of the water, causing the ocean to take on a reddish-brown color in daylight, and a sparkly blue and green color at night.
Only a few places in the world offer such an amazing experience, so if you are visiting Costa Rica, we highly suggest doing a bioluminescence tour. Being able to see it in person is definitely unforgettable, a wonderful activity for the whole family, groups of friends, couples and honeymooners looking for a romantic ocean experience.