Ways to see Bioluminescence in the World’s Oceans

Whether it’s the winter dance of the Northern Lights or the summertime glow of fireflies, displays of natural light fascinate us humans. Bioluminescence is the source of many such light shows in the wild—especially in the ocean.

Travel to Bermuda’s waters and you’ll see the bioluminescent Bermuda fire worms. Several nights after the full moon, female fire worms swim up from the soft bottom of the seafloor to the ocean’s surface. There they swim in circles while alight in a bioluminescent call to male fire worms. The males then swim up toward the circling females and flash in response, creating a scene like a wild night time dance party.

Some animals could benefit from a little light beneath the waves but don’t have the necessary proteins to produce a bioluminescent reaction themselves. In these cases, bacteria may come to the rescue. Within hours of birth, the Hawaiian bobtail squid attracts bioluminescent bacteria, which colonize a special light organ above its eyes. The bacterial light helps the squid avoid predators, and the bacteria gain a safe home and consistent nutrients. These tiny squid can be found in very shallow water around the Hawaiian and Midway Islands.

Firefly squid are known for their bright blue light shows off the coast of Japan. The small squid fill up Toyama Bay during their spawning season from March to May. Waves push the squid closer to the surface in the enclosed waters of Toyama Bay, making it an ideal time for marine mammals, larger fish and humans—both observers and fishers—to take a look at them.

On the island of Sicily, you can see some deep-sea wonders at the local fish markets. The narrow Strait of Messina separates Sicily from mainland Italy, and just 30 miles from its shallow waters are trenches reaching depths of 6,000 feet. In this unique spot, currents and waves carry creatures from the deep sea to the surface, where they are caught and sold. Mid-level fish, such as the hatchetfish and lantern fish, move up to the surface at night where their photophores can be observed and fishers can make their catch.