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Bioluminescent waves are back along the Southern California coast
These bioluminescent waves were spotted off the coast of Laguna Beach on March 2021.
(
Courtesy Mark Girardeau / Orange County Outdoors
)
Topline:
Beachgoers in Newport Beach reported seeing the glowing waves throughout the night Saturday into early Sunday morning.
Where to go: Users on the wave-spotting Facebook group "Bioluminescence in Orange County/ Southern California" reported seeing an impressive display off of Newport Beach. One user also reported seeing some lit-up waves in Ventura.
The backstory: People watching for bioluminescence had some advance warning, as red algae was spotted off the coast of Newport on Saturday morning. Red algae are what causes the natural phenomenon. The microscopic organisms emit the light as a response to being agitated by the waves. That's to say, the glowing waves are quite literally alive.
A consolation prize: The bioluminescent waves are notoriously unpredictable, though you can find some tips for spotting them here. But this month, if you venture out to see the neon blue waves around twilight, you'll also have a decent chance of spotting the brightest comet visible from earth since 2006, which should appear low on the western horizon soon after sunset. If you're extra, extra lucky, you'll see both.
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