The Maldives is famous for its pristine beaches, luxury resorts and clear waters, but there’s another reason this country in the Indian Ocean is attracting travellers from around the world.
The ‘Sea of Stars’ is a recurring natural phenomenon that turns the shoreline into a glowing spectacle after nightfall.
Google searches for the destination have soared over the past year thanks to multiple viral TikTok videos.
Users have described it as ‘beautiful’ and ‘magical’, with some saying it’s ‘hard to believe this exists’.
However, you won’t be able to find the ‘Sea of Stars’ on a map, as it doesn’t have an exact geographical location.
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The lights are the result of moving bioluminescent plankton, called dinoflagellates. When these are agitated, they emit a blue-green glow.
Vaadhoo, an island in the Raa Atoll, has become best known for this phenomenon, leading to an increase in the number of visitors.
Bioluminescence (aka the ‘Sea of Stars’) is also visible on other islands in the Maldives, such as Mudhdhoo, in the Baa Atoll, and some private resort islands, depending on water conditions and time of year.
Breaking down the science
The dinoflagellates’ glow comes from an internal chemical reaction involving luciferin, an organic compound, and luciferase, an enzyme.
David Johns, from the Marine Biological Association, explains that the species needs to be present in large numbers (in the plankton world, this is known as a ‘bloom’) when the conditions are just right. This is typically in warm, calm conditions, with minimal vertical mixing of the water. Without strong winds or currents, the top and bottom layers of water don’t blend much.
Dinoflagellates then light up if they are triggered by movement or physical stress. Scientists think this could be a response developed to avoid predators or cause a distraction.
However, some glowing species can also cause nuisance, forming ‘red tides’ and producing toxins that accumulate in shellfish and cause illness. As Johns puts it, they are ‘flashy and potentially harmful!’
The effect is nothing short of magical, with the water appearing to sparkle under the moonlight.
While this breathtaking display can happen throughout the year, April is the best time to witness it.
Top tips for seeing the ‘Sea of Stars’
- Visit the beach at night in calm conditions: The glow from the plankton is most visible in complete darkness when the waters are still, so plan your visit accordingly. Extra points if you get a night with a full moon!
- Try snorkelling or scuba diving: The glowing effect is more pronounced beneath the surface, offering the best experience.
- Stay in a hotel nearby: There may be some false alarms. Being nearby and visiting over multiple nights increases your chances of witnessing the phenomenon.
- Use a camera with manual settings and enable long exposure mode: Adjusting exposure and ISO gives you better control over lighting conditions, helping to capture the full glowing effect of the bioluminescence.
- Avoid flash: Be careful as a camera flash can wash out the bioluminescent glow, reducing its impact in photos.
Holiday experts at Travel Republic explain: ‘To see the Sea of Stars, it’s important to visit quiet beaches far from artificial lights, as the glow from the plankton is more visible in the darkness. This natural light show is more common during the wet season, between June and October when the plankton are most active.
‘However, holidaymakers may get lucky and see the Sea of Stars as early as April, as the Southwest Monsoon causes currents that drive large amounts of plankton from the bottom of the island onto the more popular shores, which can cause the Sea of Stars to appear early in the season.’
The dry season also means clearer skies, making for an unforgettable experience under the stars.
Getting to Vaadhoo Island is fairly straightforward. You can fly from London to Velana International Airport in Malé, the capital of the Maldives. Virgin Atlantic, Iberia and British Airways all get there directly from London, and it takes approximately 10 hours. From Malé, you can get on a domestic flight (which takes just over an hour) or speedboat transfer to the island.
For a truly immersive experience, consider staying on Vaadhoo. The island has a range of eco-friendly guesthouses and boutique resorts.
Alternatively, the rest of the atoll also provides comfortable accommodation options and easy access to guided tours.
Popular choices include Adaaran Prestige, a luxury resort with water villas and excellent access to the surrounding area, and Furaveri Maldives, known for its prime location for exploring natural wonders.
The Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives, offers overwater bungalows and guided excursions to Vaadhoo, while Dhigali Maldives, another high-end resort, focuses on top-tier snorkelling and diving experiences.
A few diving and water-sports centres, such as Maafushi Dive & Watersports, also provide night snorkelling trips, on request, to help you search for bioluminescent plankton.
From our readers
Chris Robinson: ‘People have described it as “beautiful”, “magical”, and “hard to believe this exists”, and I couldn’t agree more after experiencing it for myself. The photos don’t even do it justice!’
Nicky Hitchcock: ‘We once saw this in Thailand while on a long tail boat at night. It’s beautiful.’
Jane Bignall Corwin: ‘My family moved to America from England in the late summer of 1965. I was 14 and my sister 12. A nightly ritual on the voyage was standing at the stern and watching the bioluminescence glittering in the wake of the Queen, marking our path across the water. It was magical to say the least, especially with the incomparable dome of bright stars overhead.’
Louise Truman, from ethical travel company Plotpackers, will be heading to the Maldives this summer to witness the ‘Sea of Stars’. She stresses the importance of visiting responsibly by ‘not using artificial light, using eco-friendly sunscreen, and opting for certified eco-tours’.
Truman advises travellers to choose operators committed to conservation to help ensure tourism has a minimal environmental impact.
She explains: ‘In some locations, minimising physical contact is crucial, as actions like wading into the water can disrupt fragile marine ecosystems.’
And while the ‘Sea of Stars’ is a standout attraction, the Maldives has plenty more to offer beyond its bioluminescent beaches.
Snorkelling and diving reveal vibrant coral reefs teeming with manta rays and whale sharks, while luxury five-star hotels allow visitors to unwind with world-class treatments.
Can you see bioluminescence in the UK?
If you can’t make your way to the Maldives, don’t fret. This isn’t the only place to see this phenomenon.
There have also been stunning displays in the UK, particularly around the coast of Wales.
In 2018, several instances of bioluminescence were spotted at Aberavon Beach, Port Talbot and near Anglesey. The sightings became so popular that locals created a Facebook group to monitor it.
Due to previous summer heatwaves, bioluminescence has also been seen in Three Cliffs Bay in Swansea, Lough Hyne in Ireland, Grouville in Jersey and around beaches in Norfolk.
According to Johns, the best time to see this glow in the UK is from late summer to early autumn, with breaking waves in the South West offering the best chance.
And if you’re looking to travel further away, bioluminescent plankton can also be spotted in the waters around Leucadia in California, Mosquito Bay in Puerto Rico, and the Lakshadweep Islands in India.
But for those set on experiencing this otherworldly show in its most breathtaking setting, Vaadhoo Island in the Maldives is the place to be.
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