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WATCH: Striking Drone Video Shows Bioluminescence in La Jolla

Researchers at the Scripps Institute for Oceanography have released a stunning new video showing a boat amid bioluminescence in La Jolla.

Bioluminescence in San Diego occurs when concentrations of glowing plankton accumulate in our coastal waters. On Thursday, May 16, such a concentration was captured on video by scientists off the Scripps Pier.

In the clip, a boat crewed by Scripps researchers travels across the inky black ocean water. In the wake of the boat, a trail of dazzling blue glow can be seen. Spectacularly, the video includes footage from both the boat itself, as well as a drone flying overhead.

“Bioluminescent red tides off San Diego are typically formed due to aggregations of the dinoflagellate Lingulodinium polyedra, a species well known for its displays of light,” Scripps explained. “At night, when the phytoplankton are agitated by waves or other movement in the water, they emit a dazzling neon blue glow.”

These so-called red tides used to occur once every couple of years, but local ocean researchers say that they are now much more common. The most recent red tide happened just months ago, and if you’re itching to check out the glowing blue waves, the current red tide may last a few more days.

Although the red tides can accumulate across the San Diego coast, and often move up and down the shoreline, bioluminescence has been consistently viewable in La Jolla, and specifically, near the Scripps Institute of Oceanography based on the Scripps Pier.

Red tides are difficult to predict and can be even tougher to track down, but all signs are pointing toward future blooms of plankton and glowing blue waves. So, if you’re looking to see them for yourself, check out our guide to exploring Scripps Pier by moonlight.

Media credit: Image courtesy of scripps.ucsd.edu