WHEN thinking of glow in the dark waves – the ones that seem straight out of a magical movie – people often imagine faraway countries like Thailand or Costa Rica.
But to see the magical phenomenon, it is possible to stay closer to home.
There are several beaches along the coast of Galicia that light up under the night sky in a similar magical manner.
The sparkling blue water is a natural occurrence caused by marine bioluminescence, which can in simple terms be understood as bright blue plankton.
In Spain, seeing bioluminescence plankton is not uncommon, especially between the Costa da Morte and the Rais Baixas.
Along this coast, Carnota is one of the most mentioned candidates – its beach stretches out for more than seven kilometers, which makes it easier to detect the blue waves.
Other places where the blue waves have been spotted are Nemiña and Muxia, Estorde and Gures in Cee, Rebordelo in Cabana de Bergantiños, Os Rias in Malpica, Balaras, Seiruga, Fisterra, Corcubion and O Ézaro.
But for the waves to light up in the dark, several well-aligned coincidences need to happen first.
The beach must be dark enough, the moon must hide away and the water needs a specific movement to awaken the plankton.
Being able to see it is therefore never a given.
But this route along the Galicia coast is a great way to patiently hunt for the fascinating show.
Outside of Galicia, bioluminescence plankton also exists but is a little more difficult to find.
In Asturias, the beach of Xivares is among the most prominent in showing its sporadic blue waves.
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Going down to Andalucia, Isla Canela in Ayamonte has recently surprised with some nights.
While in La Linea de la Concepcion, the beaches of Levante and Torrenueva have been linked to concentrations of glowing plankton.
The Mediterranean also holds some surprises. In the region of Murcia, Algulas has starred in sightings collected in recent years, while in Almeria the beach of Genoveses, in Cabo de Gata, is usually mentioned as a place where it can appear on very specific nights.
There have also been several sightings in Malaga, some coves of the Costa Brava and corners of Mallorca or Menorca, but for these places it is important to remember: they are possible flashes, not a promise of summer.
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The best window to spot the rare, and fascinating natural phenomenon is usually between late spring and late summer, especially on nights with the new moon, when the sky is at its darkest.
Many times, the blue waves only appear on the exact edge where the wave breaks or in the trail that the water leaves when it retreats.
The best way to observe the glowing show is by walking along shore, faraway from any streetlights, promenades or lit beach bars.
So, for those who are looking for a little magic this summer, planning a trip along the Galician coast might be worth looking into.
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