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They contain a unique compound called luciferin, which, when exposed to oxygen, causes a chemical reaction that emits a beautiful glow.Īlthough the climate in the Maldives is temperate year-round, you’ll want to plan your visit between June and October to catch a glimpse of this incredible sight. The bioluminescent creatures use chemical energy that’s released as light. The aquatic critters that account for the phenomenon are actually ostracod crustaceans that glow for seconds or even minutes at a time when they come into contact with the water’s surface, while phytoplankton only light up for less than a second. This mesmerizing beach is covered in tiny microorganisms that are commonly mistaken for phytoplankton. It’s small in population, but thanks to the glorious glow of its now-famous beach, it has become a popular tourist destination within the island chain. Vaadhoo Island is a part of the Raa Atoll in the Maldives.
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In fact, the images feel like something someone concocted for the movies, depicting an otherworldly planet with strange aliens and dazzling creatures. The photos of this incredible beach, whose waters are known as the Sea of Stars, are almost completely unbelievable. It’s filled with glowing blue dots like a pool of floating fairy lights, and it’s amazing. Remember being fascinated with all things glow-in-the-dark as a kid – and those sticky stars and puffy paint that were popular in the 1980s and ’90s?įor those of you still not-so-secretly fascinated by fireflies and other things that flicker in the night, there’s a beach in the Maldives that you absolutely have to see.
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