If you are visiting Holbox, you will be surprised to witness the brightness of the bioluminescent phytoplankton in the shape of a star twinkling like a starry sky that emerges from the water.
You will not need any special equipment, although you can enjoy this incredible experience in different ways.
How does bioluminescence occur?
Phytoplankton can produce light through chemical reactions that take place within their bodies. This is known as bioluminescence.
Certain types of chemicals when mixed together produce energy, which “excites” other vibrating particles and generates light This causes the amazing glow that looks like bright stars.
Bioluminescent dinoflagellates are a type of plankton that has a bluish-green color. Bioluminescent dinoflagellate ecosystems are rare and form mainly in warm water lagoons with narrow openings to the open sea. Bioluminescent dinoflagellates accumulate in these lagoons or bays, and the narrow opening prevents them from escaping.
When does bioluminescence occur in Holbox?
From mid-May to mid-September, Holbox Island has a lot of phytoplankton and hundreds of whale sharks.
The whale shark, also known as Rhincodon typus, mainly feeds on it. This animal has a very large mouth and is filter feeder, which means that it feeds by filtering suspended matter and food particles from the water.
Whale sharks are found in warm, tropical oceans and live in the open ocean. Although it cannot be seen from the shore, the presence of bioluminescent phytoplankton indicates that a whale shark habitat is possible.
If you come to Holbox during the summer, don’t forget that you can enjoy and appreciate the uniqueness of bioluminescence.
You will not regret it, you will remember the beautiful things that nature still has to offer.
(Photographs of the phenomenon are very difficult to take)
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