5. The Luminous Shores of Vaadhoo Island, Maldives
The Maldives archipelago is well-known for its immaculate beaches and glistening clean waves in the huge Indian Ocean. On Vaadhoo Island, nevertheless, a natural occurrence turns the shoreline into a show of unearthly beauty. Vaadhoo's beaches come alive with a hypnotic display of bioluminescence as night falls, giving the shoreline what looks to be a sea of stars lapping at it. Often referred to as the "Sea of Stars," this magical effect is the product of bioluminescent phytoplankton in the nearby seas rather than any special quality of the sand itself. Mostly a variety of dinoflagellate named Noctiluca scintillans, these microscopic sea life have the amazing capacity to create and emit light by a chemical reaction within their cells. In nature, the bioluminescent display is supposed to have numerous uses including communication inside the species, attraction of mates, and predator defence. For guests to Vaadhoo Island, however, it offers a spectacular experience that seems to blur the barrier between water and sky. Not specific to the Maldives, the phenomena of bioluminescence exists anywhere where conditions are suitable for these light-emitting species. But the Maldives' dark sky and clean ocean provide the perfect backdrop for viewing this natural light display. Waves breaking on the coast or boats passing across the sea stir the phytoplankton, producing a cascade of blue-white light across the sea's surface. Steps along the edge of the water create brilliant imprints; splashing in the shallows sends light dancing through the air. Visitors can feel a part of the living environment around them by means of a participatory experience created by the interaction of human activity with natural bioluminescence, which is both breathtaking and profoundly moving.
