Few experiences feel as magical as paddling through water that lights up with every movement. Near Puerto Escondido, the Manialtepec Lagoon glows electric blue on dark nights.
What causes the glow
The light comes from dinoflagellates — microscopic plankton that emit light when disturbed, a phenomenon called bioluminescence. The effect is strongest on moonless nights.
Best time to go
The glow is usually brightest from roughly May to December, when water temperatures and plankton blooms peak. Avoid the full moon.
See it responsibly
Go with a small-group, eco-minded operator and skip the chemical bug spray. Our bioluminescence & marine wildlife tour times trips to the darkest nights.
