Photo by Daniel Gillaspia
Nature works in mysterious ways — ways that we can hardly believe until we see them with our own eyes.
At the Luminous Lagoon, you can marvel at nature’s peculiar work, where the waters glow in magnificent blue-green hues at night. This phenomenon is caused by microorganisms in the water that light up when disturbed. The Luminous Lagoon is one of only four places in the world where you can see this happen!
This eerie yet beautiful lagoon on Jamaica’s north coast is one of the most visited attractions on the island. Here’s everything you need to know if you’re planning a visit to the Luminous Lagoon.
Where is the Luminous Lagoon Located?
The Luminous Lagoon stretches from Falmouth to the small neighboring community of Rock, in the parish of Trelawny. It’s a 45-minute drive from Montego Bay, a 1-hour drive from Ocho Rios, and a 2-hour drive from Negril.
Falmouth used to be an important port town in the transport of Jamaica’s sugarcane. The port is still alive to this day, but now for cruise ships instead of crops! The relatively small town is the third busiest cruise ship port in Jamaica, after Montego Bay and Ocho Rios.
The lagoon is located where the Martha Brae River meets the Caribbean Sea. It’s the mixture of salt water and fresh water that makes the lagoon hospitable to the microorganisms that give it its signature glow.
Is it Worth Visiting?
If you are staying in an area within 30-45 minutes of the Luminous Lagoon, then yes, it is worth it and usually less expensive. We spoke to several people who made the trip from Ocho Rios and they said it is not worth it when you include the length of the drive.
The other negative thing we have heard about the tour is that the water quickly gets muddy when everyone enters the water so the thrill quickly goes away.
What Are Tours of the Luminous Lagoon Like?
Tours to Luminous Lagoon usually depart at sundown so that, by the time you get out into the lagoon, it’s dark enough to be able to truly appreciate the bioluminescence.
The average price range for a guided tour of the lagoon is roughly US$20–50 per person. Kids usually get a discounted price.
Several tour companies offer excursions to the Luminous Lagoon but the most popular is Glistening Waters (more on them and other tour companies later). Glistening Waters’ boats have a capacity of 25–30 people.
Note: if you decide not to wear your swimsuit under your clothes, make sure to change into it before the boat ride!
The boat tour is about 45 minutes long. The whole excursion takes roughly an hour if you factor in the time it takes for the pre-boarding rundown on the science of the phenomenon, as well as the time to get everyone on and off the boat.
You’ll almost immediately start to see the bright, blue-green glow as the boat moves through water and agitates the microorganisms. Fish flitting around will also make the phenomenon stronger.
Once the boat has made its way far out into the lagoon, you’ll get the chance to jump into the lagoon and experience the glistening bioluminescence up close and personal. Feel free to splash and move around — it’ll only make the color more intense!
The lagoon is shallow, with depths ranging from 3 to 8 feet. When your feet first touch the floor of the lagoon, you might be surprised. The lagoon’s floor is slippery and has a jelly-like texture, making it a bit difficult to stand on. Life jackets are offered for non-swimmers.
It’s important to note that it is very difficult to photograph the bioluminescence. From a moving boat at night (and even when the boat has stopped), a phone camera or regular camera will hardly do the phenomenon any justice. You’ll need a very high-quality, high-resolution camera.
Most tours that go to the Luminous Lagoon have a photographer who can solve this problem and take photos for you (for a fee of course) but make sure to check with the tour company before you put all your eggs in that basket.
The Glistening Waters tour company has a restaurant on-site where you can stop and get a meal or drink after (or before) your tour, even if you plan your excursion with a different company.
What Should You Bring to the Luminous Lagoon?
A trip to the Luminous Lagoon will be a fairly simple excursion. Here are a few things you should carry with you:
- Swimsuit
- Towel
- Insect repellent (for mosquitoes)
- Water shoes or rubber-soled shoes (due to the slippery lagoon floor), especially if you’re not a strong swimmer
If you’d like to bring a camera to take photos, it needs to be a very high-quality, high-resolution one. The average camera will hardly do a thing.
What’s the Science Behind the Luminous Lagoon?
So what exactly causes the Luminous Lagoon to, well, illuminate? Here’s a quick explanation of the science behind the phenomenon that has captivated so many people.
The bright blue glow seen in the waters of the Luminous Lagoon is bioluminescence, i.e. light given off by living creatures. The creatures in question are microorganisms called dinoflagellates.
These organisms thrive in brackish water. The location of the lagoon, where the fresh water of Martha Brae River empties into the salty Caribbean Sea, is perfect for them!
The millions of dinoflagellates in the water illuminate in blue-green hues when disturbed, such as by the rolling of the waves or the sweeping of a hand. The Luminous Lagoon is one of only four places in the world where you can witness this specific phenomenon.
The bioluminescence in the Luminous Lagoon is one of the brightest, fascinating scientists and travelers alike. This is believed to be because of the specific conditions of the lagoon: brackish, warm, and shallow.
Who Operates Tours of the Luminous Lagoon?
Glistening Waters is the most popular and established tour company that can take you to the Luminous Lagoon. They exclusively offer tours of the lagoon and so all of their attention goes into making the experience perfect. This company has four boats that make trips each night, so the wait times are very short.
Other popular tour operators that offer excursions to the Luminous Lagoon include Island Routes, Dressel Divers, and Faithful Waters. Island Routes partners with some hotels, so, depending on where you’re staying, you may get a discounted price with them.
Most tour operators offer pickups from hotels in Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios, and (usually) other major towns in northern and western Jamaica.
When is the Best Time to Visit the Luminous Lagoon?
Thanks to Jamaica’s consistent climate, the microorganisms in the Luminous Lagoon are always active, so you can visit this attraction at any time of year.
You can, however, only visit the lagoon at night. It’s not just a situation where it’s harder to see the glow in the morning. Interestingly, the microorganisms in the lagoon have their own circadian rhythm and only light up at night.
There are a couple of other variables to keep in mind. Most importantly, avoid visiting the lagoon on a full moon, as the bright light of the moon slightly weakens the visibility of the bioluminescence.
Rain is usually a bummer when it comes to outdoor attractions but, if you don’t mind getting rained on, it might actually be a good idea to visit when a shower is expected. The raindrops cause dancing splashes of illuminated water!