Hawaii's Bioluminescent Ocean Views Are The Most Stunning During Summer

The phrase "awe-inspiring" gets thrown around a lot when people describe travel experiences. There certainly are some moments that happen when we explore the world that genuinely inspire that all-encompassing sense of wonder and reverence for our planet and the cosmos beyond. Witnessing bioluminescence is one of those experiences. The islands of Hawaii are an epic place to do just that, and summer is the perfect time to go.

Bioluminescence is best experienced in the ocean at night. The natural phenomenon is caused by living organisms that create light and look like thousands of little stars in the water. On a clear night, when the stars are glistening in the sky above you and the bioluminescence is glittering all around you, it's impossible not to feel at least a little bit of awe. People travel to beautiful destinations around the world in the hopes of experiencing bioluminescence, and there are only a few places where you can see them year-round. Hawaii doesn't have a significant year-round population of the organisms, but it is possible to see them during the summer months.

The stunning ocean views that the islands are known for are even more magical during the summertime when the bioluminescent critters put on their show. If you're planning a trip to Hawaii during the warmest months of the year, it's well worth carving out some time to witness this natural marvel.

Bioluminescence is defined as light created by living organisms, and it is one of nature's most beautiful nighttime wonders. Scientifically speaking, fireflies are actually bioluminescent creatures, but when most people refer to bioluminescence they are referring to light created by creatures living in the sea. "Bioluminescence is light produced by a chemical reaction within a living organism. Bioluminescence is a type of chemiluminescence, which is simply the term for a chemical reaction where light is produced," the National Geographic website states. The process occurs most often in sea creatures. There are species of fish, bacteria, shellfish, and jellyfish that have the ability to create light through the chemical process.

There are many different creatures that have the ability to create light in the ocean, and some of them live in the deepest, darkest depths of the sea. The light can be all kinds of different colors, depending on which animal is creating it. In the sea, it will usually appear in some shade of blue-green. The bioluminescence that travelers often seek out comes from phytoplankton, which is a type of algae.

"Humans primarily see bioluminescence triggered by a physical disturbance, such as waves or a moving boat hull, that gets the animal to show their light off, but often animals light up in response to an attack or in order to attract a mate," the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History website states. In order for the algae blooms that cause bioluminescence to occur, the phytoplankton need calm, warm sea water. In Hawaii, that occurs during the summer months. Bays and lagoons are some of the best places to see the phenomenon. 

Hawaii's summer season runs from May through October. It's warm and pleasant year-round, but summer is the best time of year to visit for the perfect weather. The average temperatures only vary by about 10 degrees between summer and winter, but that little temperature hike is enough to create the conditions that cause bioluminescence to occur in the ocean. You'll have the best chance if you're visiting the islands between June and August. The light show doesn't happen every night, but when it does, it's pure magic.

In order to give yourself the best shot of witnessing Hawaii's stunning bioluminescent ocean views, try to plan your trip around a new moon. The nights surrounding the new moon also offer good opportunities to spot the glowing waves. You should head out to the beach or take your tour around high tide or right after, when the waves push the tiny organisms closer to the beach. You might not be able to notice the glow until your eyes properly adjust to the dark. In our modern era we are very used to looking at bright lights, so the subtle illumination in the sea can be difficult to see if you keep checking your cell phone.

Maui is one of the best places to try to see bioluminescence. Check out the remote beaches on the North and West coasts of the island. Makena Landing Park, which is in the Southern part of Maui, is another great choice. In Olowalu, there is a special tour in which you'll head out into the sea on clear kayaks to attempt to see glowing sea creatures. The tour is called the Sunset/Glow Clear Kayak Tour, and it is operated by Gabriel's Ohana. Kona, which is located on the Big Island, is another place where it's possible to spot the glowing waves in the sea.