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Watch bioluminescent algae blooms trigger electric-blue waves off the coast of San Diego in stunning new footage

Videographers have captured incredible footage of one of the largest tidal blooms of glowing algae ever recorded in Southern California.

The dazzling sea light show that took place off the coast of San Diego is in “San Diego: America's Wildest City“, an episode from the Emmy- and Peabody-winning PBS series “Nature.” The light show was produced by single-celled organisms called dinoflagellates, which create an ethereal glow known as “Nature.” Bioluminescence through an internal chemical reaction.

“When the dinoflagellates become excited by movement, they emit bright blue light that scares potential predators.” Nate DappenWriter and director of the episode, said Live Science in an email. “If the numbers are high enough, each crashing wave glows blue as billions of cells simultaneously bioluminesce in the swirl of the surf.”

The natural phenomenon of bioluminescence transforms San Diego's waters into a breathtaking display of light. (Image credit: Day's Edge Productions)

In the spring of 2020, San Diego experienced heavy rainfall, resulting in significant algae blooms. The rain settles on the ocean surface and forms a layer separate from the deeper water. This separation traps nutrients brought by a storm near the surface, creating perfect conditions for phytoplankton to thrive.

The researchers recorded the highest number Lingulodinium polyedram at Scripps Pier in California at about 2.4 million cells per gallon (9 million cells per liter). Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System. The high cell concentration colored the sea reddish brown during the day – known as “Red Tide.”

Bioluminescent water.

In the new episode “San Diego: America's Wildest City,” videographers capture incredible footage of one of the largest tidal waves. (Image credit: Day's Edge Productions)

“In 2020, San Diego experienced the largest red tide since 1900. It was unreal,” Dappen said. “Every night for about a week the coast exploded with light. That also happened to be the year we started developing this show.”

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