If you’ve seen the movie “Life of Pi,” you’ll surely be impressed by the bioluminescent lake the main character discovers. And such a magical sight does indeed exist in reality!
Our experience
We had no plans to see this on that day. We received a message from a friend saying that bioluminescence was happening! Chris immediately decided that we should go, and it took us about 2.5-3 hours to drive there! We arrived at Jervis Bay at around 1 in the morning. Surprisingly, there were many photographers there, and they even set up their cameras in the water to capture the moment. Everyone was so enthusiastic!
Arriving at the scene, we were truly stunned. The starry sky above, the blue sea beneath our feet—two words to describe it would be “dreamlike.” We feel that the photos we took couldn’t capture the beauty we saw in person. Since we arrived there around 1 in the morning, it was nearly impossible to record videos with our phones, so we had to rely on the camera to take photos.
Where in Jervis Bay can you see bioluminescence
Common Jervis Bay must-visit points:
- Barfluer Beach (North of Plantation Point)
- Blenheim Beach
- Scottish Rocks
- Orion Beach
- Callala Bay.
When you might see Bioluminescence
Based on our past experience, it really depends on luck because it can occur at any time of the year.
Here are the times it appeared in recent years as a reference: August 2018, May 2019, January 2020, April 2020, and July 2020.
Best Month to see Bioluminescence
The chances of seeing it is higher during the midnight hours of the first clear day after 3-5 consecutive days of rain, typically from June to August.
Best Time to see Bioluminescence
The later it gets into the night, the bluer it becomes. It’s essential to have enough patience to wait until after midnight (the wonders of nature are truly beyond human control and prediction; if you can’t see it, don’t forget to appreciate the starry sky—it’s all part of the experience).
Things to check before you go
- Check local weather forecasts and tide conditions in advance.
- Some scientists suggest that nutrients from rainfall may serve as “food” for bioluminescent algae in the seawater. Therefore, the best time to spot Bioluminescence could be after a period of rainy weather followed by clear skies.
- Join the “Bioluminescence Australia” group to stay updated on real-time Bioluminescence information.
Bioluminescence Photography Tips
For Mobile Phones: Use long exposure settings.
For Cameras: Aperture of F2.8 or higher, F4.0 works too; increase exposure time as needed.
Tripod: Nighttime photography in low light conditions, plus the sea breeze, calls for a tripod to ensure clear and sharp images.
Other Equipment: Non-slip shoes, a jacket, waterproof bags for phones, flashlights/headlamps.
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