The Salish Sea often sees large blooms of dinoflagellates, a variety of microscopic plankton that emit light when disturbed, ...

Bioluminescence is back! For the past few nights, lucky San Diegans at Torrey Pines State Beach and Ponto Beach got a glimpse of bioluminescent waves crashing on the coast.

A “bloom” happens when a group of phytoplankton, in this case dinoflagellates, begins reproducing rapidly. A red tide is visible during the day and creates a blue glow when churned up at night.

Most bioluminescent beaches are located in the tropics, where warm waters provide the nutrients dinoflagellates — or a number of other organisms like squid or even sharks — need to thrive.

A “bloom” happens when a group of phytoplankton, in this case dinoflagellates, begins reproducing rapidly. A red tide is visible during the day and creates a blue glow when churned up at night.

Late-night beachgoers in San Diego have gotten a glimpse of bioluminescent waves crashing on the coast the past several nights. Although it’s not something you see every day, Southern California ...

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Late-night beachgoers in San Diego have gotten a glimpse of bioluminescent waves crashing on the coast the past several nights. Although it’s not something you see ...

WATCH: Bioluminescent waves crash at California beach by: Anna Ashcraft Posted: Feb 14, 2024 / 12:31 PM PST Updated: Feb 14, 2024 / 12:31 PM PST ...

Updated: Feb 14, 2024 / 02:33 PM CST SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Late-night beachgoers in San Diego have gotten a glimpse of bioluminescent waves crashing on the coast the past several nights.