The best places to see a starry night on the ground are the “Sea of Stars” at Vaadhoo Island in the Maldives, the glowworm ceilings of Waitomo Cave in New Zealand, the red tide waves off San Diego, the firefly squid of Toyama Bay in Japan and the Gippsland Lakes in Australia. Each is a case of bioluminescence, light produced by living organisms, so none of them can be promised on a given night.
| Rank | Place | What glows | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vaadhoo Island, Maldives | Phytoplankton on the shore | Seasonal and unpredictable |
| 2 | Waitomo Cave, New Zealand | Glowworm larvae | Very reliable, indoors |
| 3 | San Diego, California | Red tide dinoflagellates | Occasional blooms |
| 4 | Toyama Bay, Japan | Firefly squid | Spring spawning season |
| 5 | Gippsland Lakes, Australia | Noctiluca dinoflagellates | Occasional blooms |
We are not talking about the stars in the sky here. Bioluminescence is the production and emission of light by living organisms. It occurs mostly in marine animals, fungi and microorganisms. Our ranking is based on how striking the effect is and how likely you are to actually see it, which is our own judgement and not a measured score.
#1 Vaadhoo Island, Maldives
Vaadhoo is an inhabited island in Raa Atoll, and tourism there is built around the bioluminescent “Sea of Stars”. Bioluminescent phytoplankton make the shore glow blue, so footprints and handprints in the wet sand light up. The display is seasonal and depends on the plankton, so ask local guides before you plan around it.
#2 Waitomo Glowworm Cave, New Zealand
Waitomo Cave on the North Island is home to Arachnocampa luminosa, a glowworm found only in New Zealand. It is not a worm: it is the larva of a fungus gnat that hangs silk snares to catch insects and glows blue-green to attract them. The cave has been described as the most visited glowworm display in the world. Cave, dark, glowworms, stars: it is the most reliable starry night on this list.
#3 San Diego, California, USA
San Diego’s coast is known for the red tide. By day the water looks reddish, but at night the dinoflagellate Lingulodinium polyedrum makes waves glow electric blue. Displays have been seen in Southern California regularly since at least 1901. A blooming night is unpredictable, but if you catch one while surfing, you will be riding a glowing wave.
#4 Toyama Bay, Japan
Toyama Bay on Honshu is where firefly squid come to the shore. These small squid usually live at 200 to 400 metres down but move to the shore in spring to spawn, and their photophores emit blue light. The mass arrival is also an important business for local fishermen.
#5 Gippsland Lakes, Australia
The Gippsland Lakes in Victoria cover about 354 square kilometres of lakes, marshes and lagoons, including Lake Wellington, Lake Victoria and Lake King. After flooding in 2011, the lakes had blooms of bioluminescent Noctiluca scintillans. The glow depends on conditions, so treat it as a bonus on a trip.
How to see bioluminescence
Go on a moonless night, move away from light pollution, and ask local guides about recent blooms. Never disturb wildlife, and check whether sunscreen and insect repellent are allowed in the water.
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FAQ
What is bioluminescence?
The production and emission of light by living organisms, mostly marine animals, fungi and microorganisms.
Where is the Sea of Stars?
At Vaadhoo Island in Raa Atoll, Maldives, where phytoplankton make the shore glow blue at night.
Are glowworms actually worms?
No. New Zealand glowworms are the larvae of a fungus gnat, Arachnocampa luminosa.
When can you see firefly squid in Japan?
In spring, when the squid come to the shore to spawn.
Is the San Diego red tide always glowing?
No. Blooms are occasional, so you cannot count on a glow on any one night.
Last updated: October 2026.
