Giving “Ocean Blue” An Electrifying New Meaning

Nature is freaking awesome.

Granted, I’ll never voluntarily go hiking in the woods, or climb a tree, or even go outside unless I have too… But if I had the chance to swim with electric blue algae that light up the ocean at night, you’d bet I’d take that opportunity.

Lucky night beachgoers at Port Lincoln in Southern Australia were able to experience this mystifying marvel. This bioluminescent algae is caused when a certain type of plankton store light during the day, and release the light when they get agitated. So, when you take a stroll on the beach at night and come in contact with some of them, they emit a gorgeous blue glow that sends shivers down your spine. For every splash, wave crash, or motion of the ocean, these little guys light up the sea to create an image that seems purely out of our imagination.

This rare sight also occurred a few nights ago at a beach in Wales, as well as a month ago in California, but the ones who get to see it in person are very lucky. There is no set pattern or trend to these feisty phytoplankton, but maybe the chance of seeing this spectacle will encourage more people to take late night strolls on the beach. After all, the sounds of waves crashing are peaceful enough as is.