Flourescent Plankton

[DTV]

I remember staying at the Cabanas, we used to go swimming at night and the flourescent plankton would get in my body hair, we would be glowing like aliens!:eek: We had a great buzz going of course which made us howl with delight..:p Anyone else experience this on the Mayan Riv..?

[Gale in KY]

I have been told there are bays south of the Tulum area where this occurs, a phenomonen that occurs with just the right mix of mangrove silt and clean water free of pollution. I have not experienced it in Mexico, but, I have seen it, kayaked the bio bay in Viequez Puerto Rico, and it is an experienced not to be missed! Kayaking at night, as well as swimming with these glowing stars all around you is one of the most awesome experiences I can think of..they glow with any movement, so the waves a kayak creates, or when you stir the water as you swim brings out the glow..amazing.

I would look for a bay surrounded by mangroves..secluded so that any pollution is at a distance..that is where you would find the glowing plankton. Probably could be found in Sian-Ka'an, as the area would have to be pristine for this to occur. It is becoming more and more rare as man takes over where once only wildlife lived.

[Gale in KY]

Q: How does the bioluminesence in dinoflagellates work

A. Excellent question! Bioluminescence is the heatless light which is produced by many different living organisms, including dinoflagellates in the phytoplankton. This heatless light is created by an enzyme-controlled chemical reaction. Luciferin is the name given to the material which is oxidized to produce light; the exact chemical composition of luciferens varies between organisms. (Lucifer in latin means "bearer of light"). Luciferase is the enzyme which catalyzes the reaction. The reaction may occur within the body of the organism, as is the case with dinoflagellates, or it may be secreted into the water. Though some bacteria and fungi produce light continuously if oxygen is available, most organisms produce flashes of light only when their luminescent organs are stimulated. Dinoflagellates may emit a steady, low level of light as well as light flashes when disturbed - a magical sight when boating, swimming or walking along the water's edge on a beach at night!

[DTV]

This was right on the Cabana beach in Tulum;)

[Gale in KY]

That would be an awesome sight to see! I have been doing a little hunt and search,and from what I can gather, moon jellyfish are one of the prime inhabitants that are luminescent. Still haven't found a mention of this occuring in the Tulum area, although I know I saw it somewhere once when surfing the web..I did find a mention of bioluminescent plankton at a dive sight around Cozumel, and several in the carribbean, Jamaica, PR..I am sure it occurs in Tulum area too. Anyone have any info?

[MikeW]

I remember staying at the Cabanas, we used to go swimming at night and the flourescent plankton would get in my body hair, we would be glowing like aliens!:eek: We had a great buzz going of course which made us howl with delight..:p Anyone else experience this on the Mayan Riv..?
Another reason to go back. :D

[Gale in KY]

You are so right Mike, there's always something to suprize in Tulum!

[BeachDude]

I was searching online and read a blog by some couple that visited Copal before. The woman said that at night, they would go out swimming and be surrounded by the plankton everytime they moved. She said it looked like they were surrounded by "stardust"... That sounds kind of cool! :)

[Gale in KY]

It is totally unbelievable..spectacular..as I said, I didn't see this in Tulum, but, on Vieques Island Puerto Rico..we kayaked and swam at night in the bio bay..it was a most amazing experience..the organisms react to the movement of the water..and light up..like a million stars encircling you..totally amazing.