Hulhumale’, Maldives – Bioluminescent planktons lighting up beaches, or Redhan lun as it is known locally, have been sighted in Hulhumale’ beach last night.
R.Vaadhoo is the island best known in the Maldives for its luminescent beaches. As the year ends, the beaches of the island are home to some of the most spectacular sights of bioluminescent planktons to be seen worldwide. The beach has even been visited by some well-known global TV channels and countless tourists as well.
However, residents of the suburb of Hulhumale’ adjoining the capital Male’ City, got to view this marvelous sight last night, in a rare occurrence. The phenomenon is extremely rare and to frequently seen in Maldives as well.
Many flocked to the beach to view this and even people from Male’ City crossed the bridge connecting the two islands for the purpose. Children and adults both were left flabbergasted by the incredible phenomenon.
It is really pretty, When I rub my shoes against the sand, my shoes light up. Many were here taking photos. It gets even prettier when the waves crash.
One of the locals witnessing the spectacle
Many foreigners describe the event as stars filling the sea. Not that well known is that it is plankton, named as dinoflagellates, which does the trick. Scientists have only recently discovered that the plankton which lights up, does so with a chemical called luciferin and lights up only when agitated.
This is not the first time the beaches of Hulhuamle’ have experienced this, according to some. But it certainly was the first time it happened on such a large scale. Some other islands where this can be seen apart from Vaadhoo, include Dusit Thani Maldives resort, N. Fodhdhoo
