The Sea of Stars is one of the most extraordinary rarities that can be visited in the Maldives, where nature has unique ways that amaze us through all the senses. From the melodious soundscapes of the forests, to, Each natural site has its own charm. But when it comes to bioluminescence, there is one that cannot go unnoticed, the Sea of Stars of the Maldives Islands.
The Sea of Stars
The Maldives islands are a group of 1200 islands in total that are located in the Indian Ocean, they are characterized by their natural beauty that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Their geography is so peculiar that it has given rise to the beings that make up them to be very peculiar and, in fact, house one of the largest bioluminescence refuges on the planet.
The Vaadhoo Island is one of the islands of Raa Atoll, Maldives, it is the most visited site to admire bioluminescence, the so-called Sea of Stars. During the nights in the Indian Ocean, the beaches of Vaadhoo are flooded with hundreds of thousands of organisms that are capable of converting the chemical reactions in their bodies into a dazzling sea filled with electrifying blue flashes.
What causes bioluminescence
The bioluminescence of the Sea of Stars is produced by tiny organisms called dinoflagellates (Lingulodinium polyedrum) that belong to the family. The stress caused by the movement of the tide and the coming and going of the waves causes dinoflagellates to produce light as
According to the Institute of the Environment at the University of Florida, bioluminescence is very rare in terrestrial ecosystems, but is very common in the depths of the ocean. 80% of the animals that live between 200 and 1000 meters, which is known as the twilight zone because it is the region in which the sun’s rays are lost, have bioluminescence.
Phytoplankton lives more on the surface but is one of the few organisms that have the ability to effervesce into luminescence. The light emitted by the millions of phytoplankton come together in a visual symphony that turns the sea into a visible star cluster, hence it is called the Sea of Stars. The light acquires an electric blue color as each wave breaks on the beach, making the phenomenon of marine bioluminescence one of the most amazing in all of nature.
Although if you are wondering when is the best season to visit the Maldives to admire the Sea of Stars, the truth is that there is no season, it is all a matter of luck. The lightning-fast nature of phytoplankton is unpredictable, but fortunately there is plenty to do nearby.