These beaches glow neon blue in the middle of the night — here’s why

From Hong Kong to California, there are some beautiful — and unique — beaches that glow neon blue at night.

This natural phenomena is caused by phytoplankton (a type of microalgae that float at the surface of the ocean water). They emit a bright blue light after they become agitated by wave movements or nearby swimming fish.

Phytoplankton have channels to allow protons (positively charged subatomic particles) to pass through their bodies. So, the nearby movements in the water cause protons to pass through their bodies, creating electrical pulses, which trigger chemical reactions. These reactions, in turn, activate a protein called luciferase, which creates the blue light.

Bioluminescent phytoplankton are almost exclusively found in salt water. This is believed to be the case because one of the chemicals needed for the reaction isn't found in freshwater. 

If this sounds to you like a sight that you don't want to miss, here are some places where you can experience this magical phenomenon.

At the Sam Mun Tsai beach in Hong Kong, bioluminescent phytoplankton are found in the water.

Tyrone Siu/Reuters

The Manly Beach in Sydney is also known for showing bioluminescent activity.

David Gray/Reuters

A vacationer paddles through bioluminescent phytoplankton on Florida's Indian River Lagoon by Cocoa Beach.

Florida Today Communications/AP

Here, bioluminescent phytoplankton light up the ocean off the coast of Leucadia, California.

Mike Blake/Reuters

Swami's Beach is another California beach where the phenomenon can be seen.

dcis_steve/Flickr

California is actually home to several bioluminescent beaches, including Mission Bay, Torrey Pines Beach, and Huntington Beach.

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And San Diego is a great place to see the phenomena.

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Here, La Jolla beach is lit up in neon blue. Some say this spectacle is the "ocean's version of the Northern Lights."

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Red tides, an abnormal accumulation of algae, can make bioluminescence occur at additional sites too. A 2011 red tide in California caused this bioluminescent activity close to the beach.

Mike Blacke/Reuters