Visit Portugal’s bioluminescent shores on summer nights
- Valerie Charoux
- Jul 21, 2025
- 1 min read
Tourism News Europe - Visit Portugal’s bioluminescent shores on summer nights when marine organisms bloom and produce spectacular blue lights.
Bioluminescence is a wonderful phenomenon for families to experience during Portugal’s warm summer nights when a sudden, massive concentration of marine organisms produce a chemical energy that turns to awesome fluorescent blue lights.
Bioluminescence can be experienced at night along Portugal’s coastline with specialized guides and it is strongly recommended to go bathing to stir the marine organisms until they release the strongest blue lights. This is due to the fact that bioluminescence can be a defense process, through a chemical reaction which releases light to scare predators. This blue light is called luciferin and is emitted when organisms are oxidized. In vertebrates such as fish, as well as some invertebrates such as fireflies, bioluminescence can also serve as a means of communication.
Where in Portugal can bioluminescence be experienced?
Bioluminescence can be experienced in Portugal:
· On the shores of Vila do Conde, at Vila Chã, that is located in the Porto metropolitan area.
· On the shores and at sea in Esposende, that is located in the Braga district.
· On the shores of the Arrábida Natural Park in Setúbal – For this night walk, a guide can be booked from the site arrabidawalksandcrafts.com
