Rare Phenomenon - Bioluminescent Magical Glow Beach in UAE
Is this place even in the UAE? Is what we thought too, but readers, today we have brought you a rare and breathtaking phenomenon that has been spotted in the Emirates, leaving both locals and visitors in awe. If you have not seen it yet, then the bioluminescent beach at Khorfakkan is truly a magically lit-under sight.
These tiny marine organisms, called bioluminescent plankton, keep the water and sand in an ethereal blue glow every night of the year. It's a spectacular sight, one of nature's wonders, and something you must surely have on your bucket list.
So let's dive into all you should know regarding this enchanting glow of Khorfakkan Beach.
What is a Bioluminescent Beach?
Just imagine taking a night time walk along a beach, having your footsteps imprinted in a flutter of light in the sand beneath your feet, while the sea glitters with an intense blue glow. This magic is called bioluminescence: when a certain breed of marine plankton sends out light, it becomes visible. Every time these glowing planktons are disturbed through any form of wave movement or anything else, they respond to such interference by issuing a luminous light.
This chemically produced light makes the beach a glowing wonderland against the night sky. Lately, Khorfakkan Beach in the emirate of Sharjah has gained fame for making this possible - a sight that leaves people spellbound by the beauty of this natural light display.
The Science Behind the Glowing Beach
But as much as we want it to be magic, it is not; it is actually bioluminescence. Bioluminescence is a chemical reaction whereby the production of light by an organism results from a chemical reaction with two key components: a light-emitting molecule called luciferin and an enzyme called luciferase.
The reaction produces light when luciferin reacts with oxygen upon the presence of luciferase. This glowing effect does not just stop there; this light serves a biological function, too. To the plankton, the light is used as some sort of defense mechanism against being captured by its predator.
Whenever the plankton gets disturbed by waves or even any swimmer, it releases the glow to confound its predator and hence tends to lower its chances of being captured. Dinoflagellates are the species that give this glow to Khorfakkan Beach. These minute organisms are abundant in shallow coastal waters of warm seas and can emit their blue light when they get disturbed. In clearer, moonless nights, when this blue glow has been cast against the darker background of the night sky, this phenomenon is more brightly seen.
Khorfakkan Beach – A Magical Night Destination
Khorfakkan Beach in Sharjah has turned out to be one of the finest places across the UAE, where this bioluminescent water can be experienced. Situated along the shoreline of the Gulf of Oman, it basically has natural beauty, with waters so clear you could see fish and other species at arm's length. This glowing effect may be witnessed at night when the sun goes down, and darkness engulfs the entire landscape. So by walking over the beach or making a stride through shallow waters, these plankton light up in your surroundings by showing up their glow in radiating blue.
Other Bioluminescent Beaches Around the World
Though Khorfakkan has the most luck for its glowing beach, bioluminescent beaches occur very rarely, yet they can be found across other parts of the world, too.
Therefore, if you are a person who loves going outdoors or perhaps an individual fond of traveling and the outdoors, then here is more worth including:
Vaadhoo Island, Maldives: Probably the most popular bioluminescent beach in the world, Vaadhoo Island is known for its "Sea of Stars," where the waters are aglow with bioluminescent plankton. The glow, just like Khorfakkan's, is provided by the dinoflagellates. Disturbance makes them light up the waves, which has a spectacular effect on the water, creating a starry effect. Maldives is known for its beauty, and this bioluminescence adds some extra magic to the tropical paradise.
Toyama Bay, Japan: Toyama Bay houses the firefly squid, which are known to emit blue bioluminescence during certain seasons of the year. These little squid gather in great numbers to create a glowing spectacle. Tourists can witness the magical, glowing sight of these creatures during the spring months. The view is so enticing that it has become Japan's latest hot tourist spot.
Lguna Grande, Fajardo, Puerto Rico: Another popular place for bioluminescence, Lagoona Grande in Puerto Rico is one of the world's three bioluminescent bays where millions of dinoflagellates lighten the water with their sparkling light once perturbed. One can best witness this glow on a guided nighttime kayak tour, where one paddles through glowing waters and thus reaches out to come face to face with this wonder of nature.
Why you should visit the Khorfakkan beach for bioluminescence?
Khorfakkan Beach presents a great chance to see this rare, lovely natural phenomenon. Apart from this glowing beach, Khorfakkan town in itself is quite an attractive destination in terms of its scenic beauty, historic monuments, and a placid atmosphere. It would be one of those places where a tourist needs to spend a night and get the best relaxing and wondrous effect from these experiences. This bioluminescent beach in Khorfakkan is on the bucket list for any UAE inhabitant or even visiting tourists who come to see places in the region.
If you are around here, schedule your visit to Khorfakkan Beach on any moonless night if you want to see it for yourself. Be sure that this will definitely leave you with lifetime memories of its magic glowing blue. As much as getting the best car rental online prices from anywhere other than Beno is rare, so is the experience of this beach. So don’t wait up and visit Khorfakkan Beach today!