Newport Beach landed on a national list of the eight best places in America to see bioluminescent plankton this fall.
The guide, published Sunday, Oct. 4, by Discover Wild Science, highlights Newport Beach and Laguna Beach as prime Orange County viewing spots. Enthusiasts have shared photos of electric-blue waves breaking along local shores, the guide states.
The glow comes from tiny plankton that light up when disturbed by waves, swimmers or paddle strokes. For the best chance to see it, the guide recommends heading to the beach between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. The glow does not appear until after 10 p.m., according to the guide. Darkness is essential: the organisms do not light up near artificial light. Higher tides push the plankton closer to shore and make the display more dramatic.
The viewing season runs through October. Patch's Newport Beach newsletter flagged the guide Monday, Oct. 5, calling the city "one of the country's best spots to see glowing bioluminescent waves this fall."
Bioluminescence is unpredictable. Residents hoping to catch the glow should check local surf and tide reports before heading out.
