Australia‘s Jervis Bay is home to one of the whitest sand beaches in the world. The 1.5-mile sandy stretch is enveloped by breathtaking bush and looks out across turquoise waters. The beach is a must-visit spot for nature lovers, with lots of native wildlife and quiet trails to wander.

However, it’s what happens when the sun sets on the beach that is the real phenomenon.

At certain times of the year, visitors to the beach after dark might notice the water seemingly begins to glow. Pockets of bright blue, green and even green sparkle below its surface.

This is because Jervis Bay is one of the few places in Australia to experience the natural phenomenon known as bioluminescence.

The beach has been lucky enough to enjoy some incredible displays over the years, and according to Jervis Bay Wild, July 2020 was one of the best years to date with a bright display of colour and sparkle. Typically, the experience only lasts for short periods, so you are extremely lucky to catch it.

Bioluminescence is a chemical reaction inside a living cell which generates light. This can occur from cells in sea creatures or even plants below the surface.

Certain conditions, usually a build-up of an algae bloom of plankton cause large amounts of bioluminescence which causes the water to glow when it is disturbed, for example by a wave or a splash in the water.

As a result, the waves lapping onto the shoreline can often appear to glow in bright hues as the water moves.

One of the things that makes bioluminescence so special is that it only occurs in certain parts of the world.

When bioluminescence arrives in Jervis Bay, it can be seen in a number of locations. According to local news sources, it has been seen at Barfluer Beach just north of Plantation Point, Callala Bay and Blenheim Beach.

Elsewhere in Australia, the phenomenon has been in Preservation Bay, Tasmania and Port Lincoln, South Australia.