Jervis Bay has gained huge popularity for its pristine white-sand beaches flanked by aquamarine waters and national parks. But as pretty as these beaches are during the day, the real fun starts when the sun goes down. Jervis Bay is also equally notorious for its regular bioluminescence sightings and you can experience the incredible natural phenomenon at less than a three-hour drive from Sydney. While the best time to see bioluminescence varies it’s a lot more common in the warmer months.
Bioluminescence, Jervis Bay
Ever wondered what this glowy phenomenon is all about? The beautiful glow is produced by a chemical reaction in marine creatures like fish, squid and algae which are said to produce bioluminescence to either confuse predators or attract prey. If you’re keen to see the glittering display, take a trip to the south coast of NSW and experience it with your own eyes.
Lucky beachgoers have spotted bioluminescence on a number of beaches in Jervis Bay. Some popular spots are Barfluer Beach, north of Plantation Point, the Insta-famous Hyams Beach, Callala Bay, on the northern shore of Jervis Bay and the picturesque Blenheim Beach in Jervis Bay National Park. The secluded Scottish Rocks Beach and the picturesque white sand Orion Beach are other places where the striking occurrence has happened. In other parts of the country, bioluminescent algae have been known to light up South Australia and Tasmania.
If you’re not keen to drive far, similar scenes have also been witnessed in Sydney on the Northern Beaches like Manly Beach, Shelly Beach and Palm Beach to name a few. In fact, the waters turned a vivid blue at Manly as recently as August. It’s hard to predict exactly when the phenomenon will occur but if you’re looking to get a glimpse, a pro tip is to join the Bioluminescence Australia Facebook group where you can find daily posts on where to spot the most recent Bioluminence Phytoplankton bloom.