Experience Unparalleled Romance
Known for its pristine beauty and breathtaking views, Maldives has another gorgeous reason to be on your bucket list. There's a beach in the Maldives known as Vaadhoo Island that shines at night creating a view that looks straight from a science-fiction fairytale. It looks like the waves are decorated with Christmas lights, like millions of stars have crashed into the waves from above, glowing in the tide. This natural phenomenon in the Maldives is known as the Sea of Stars.
Imagine spending a day relaxing on the Maldives’s pristine beaches and watching the sunset over some of the world’s best landscapes. Then, after a nice meal, return to the soft sands and stroll hand-in-hand along the beach. Gaze into the sky and see countless stars and the faint outline of the Milky Way. Look over at the inky black Indian Ocean in the mid-distance. Then stare at the bluish glow and sparkling of the water lapping against the shore. And to take this romantic experience to the next level, it’s possible to dine al fresco next to it.
What Causes the Incredible Sea of Stars?
The view is basically because of a natural phenomenon called ‘bioluminescence’ which means that light is emitted or created by a living organism. Among the tropical fish, sharks and coral in the Maldives’s Indian Ocean live billions and billions of micro-organisms, including dinoflagellates, which are a type of phytoplankton. But what differentiates the Lingulodinium polyedrum from other organisms is their unique ability to generate light. Stress, caused by the movement of the sea and waves, leads the plankton to emit light, or bioluminescence as a defense mechanism in a similar way to some fireflies. The bioluminescent light has an electric blue-neon color, radiating further as each wave breaks. The speculator phenomena is one of nature’s rarest events. It’s so remarkable, Hollywood decided to feature the Sea of Stars in Ang Lee’s award-winning Life of Pi to illuminate the sea for the lost protagonist.
Where is the Vaadhoo Island?
The glowing beach is located on Vaadhoo Island, one of the islands of Raa Atoll. This small island is inhabited by less than 500 people. Irrespective of its size and population, the beach island has earned global recognition and appreciation for its magical Sea of Stars. While the place has long been a secret, it now remains a must visit attraction for tourists visiting Maldives. Located around 8 km away from Male, the capital city of Maldives and the main airport, Vaadhoo Island is well connected to the rest part of Maldives. Hire a speedboat to reach the magical land.
When Does This Rare Natural Phenomenon Occur?
The Sea of Stars in the Maldives depends on several factors, including the year’s climate and the growth of the bioluminescent plankton. Nobody can predict when and where the event will occur. Vaadhoo Island in the Raa Atoll is the most well-known spot. But, it can also be viewed on one of the 1200 other islands in the Maldives in the right conditions too. According to locals, the spectacular event is more prevalent from late summer to the end of the year. But, these are just personal accounts. The exact time and location are likely to vary for different islands.
Don’t Set Your Hopes Too High
As nature is unpredictable, nothing is for sure. Planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the world’s most beautiful islands in the hope of experiencing the Sea of Stars might not be a wise decision. Nature does as nature pleases and an element of luck helps. Plan a holiday to the Maldives for the luxury, beaches, snorkeling and diving. Seeing the Sea of Stars should be a bonus, not a given.