What may be called the most magical place on earth is tucked away in a remote area of the Maldives. It is an ethereal beach with an abundance of “stars” that spontaneously light up the night. Vaadhoo Island’s Sea of Stars is a mesmerizing bioluminescent coastline. It seems like any other gorgeous tropical beach in the daytime, with glistening white sands, waving palm palms, and crystal-clear waters.
That is, until dusk falls, when something amazing happens. The once-ordinary waves take on a radiant, royal blue tint. Although the abrupt change is so compelling that it nearly seems unreal, it is actually based on straightforward scientific concepts.
Amazingly, no human activity has changed these waterways in any kind. Rather, the brilliance is ascribed to a colony of microscopic organisms called dinoflagellates, which are a type of phytoplankton. These microscopic organisms have the amazing capacity to go through a light-emitting natural chemical reaction. This glowing show is a protection mechanism used by dinoflagellates against predators. The reaction is set off by fish ingestion, which makes the predators glow and more susceptible to predatory behavior. When the water is disturbed, a stunning display of brilliant blue “stars” that resemble cosmic galaxies above is created along the shore.
These sea stars only occur when certain climate conditions are met and planktonic growth is sustained all year long. Vaadhoo Island offers lodging alternatives despite its isolated position and small population of 500. Numerous resorts, including the W Maldives, are scattered along the adjacent coast, providing guests with the chance to witness this enchanted event directly.
