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We spoke to several people who made the trip from Ocho Rios and they said it is not worth it when you include the length of the drive. If you are staying in an area within 30-45 minutes of the Luminous Lagoon, then yes, it is worth it and usually less expensive. It’s the mixture of salt water and fresh water that makes the lagoon hospitable to the microorganisms that give it its signature glow. The lagoon is located where the Martha Brae River meets the Caribbean Sea. The port is still alive to this day, but now for cruise ships instead of crops! The relatively small town is the third busiest cruise ship port in Jamaica, after Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. It’s a 45-minute drive from Montego Bay, a 1-hour drive from Ocho Rios, and a 2-hour drive from Negril.įalmouth used to be an important port town in the transport of Jamaica’s sugarcane. The Luminous Lagoon stretches from Falmouth to the small neighboring community of Rock, in the parish of Trelawny. Here’s everything you need to know if you’re planning a visit to the Luminous Lagoon. This eerie yet beautiful lagoon on Jamaica’s north coast is one of the most visited attractions on the island.
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The Luminous Lagoon is one of only four places in the world where you can see this happen! This phenomenon is caused by microorganisms in the water that light up when disturbed. Post-glow activities: Devour traditional Jamaican cuisine at the Glistening Waters Restaurant, located right in the marina.Nature works in mysterious ways - ways that we can hardly believe until we see them with our own eyes.Īt the Luminous Lagoon, you can marvel at nature’s peculiar work, where the waters glow in magnificent blue-green hues at night. The tours encourage visitors to swim in the lagoon for the best effect: The microscopic organisms produce a blue glow when disturbed.
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There are a number of tours you can book in Falmouth or with hotels in Montego Bay, about 30 minutes away. Today, the lagoon is a key location for one of the most spectacular sites in the Caribbean: microscopic organisms that glow in the shallow, warm waters. This lagoon, which stretches along the marshlands near Falmouth, has a captivating history: During the 18th century, it was a vital port for the sugar trade between England and Jamaica. Top 5 beaches in Alabama Luminous Lagoon, Jamaica Motorized vehicles aren’t allowed within the wilderness boundaries, so sit back and enjoy nature at its purest. Post-glow activities: Spend the evening at one of the canyon’s cabins, and drive about an hour east the next morning to the Sipsey Wilderness, a section of the Bankhead National Forest that contains waterfalls, walking trails, horseback riding trails and canoeing routes. The best time to catch the Dismalites is May through September, and you can book a guided tour with the canyon’s conservatory. These tiny worms line the moss-covered rocks of the canyon, and when night falls, they glitter blue in the darkness.
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The canyon is a twisting ravine full of majestic flora and an array of wildlife, including the quirkily named Dismalites – glowworms. Tucked away in a rural corner of Northern Alabama you’ll find Dismals Canyon, a National Natural Landmark home to the oldest accessible primeval forest east of the Mississippi River (ie a forest that has existed without any significant event, such as a fire or storm, affecting its growth). Head into the gloom of Alabama's Dismals Canyon for a glowworm light show © Rommel Stribling / Alamy Dismals Canyon, Alabama Puerto Rico’s 5 best road trips serve up tasty snacks, beautiful beaches and stunning views Post-glow activities: After soaking up the night-time magic of the bay, take advantage of the Caribbean sun – head to the mile-long golden arc of sand at Sun Bay to take in some vitamin D and admire the turquoise sea.
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For the best view, book your trip on a new moon. The glow was somewhat dimmed after Hurricane Maria, but the sparkling waters have bounced back to pre-hurricane levels. Note that the phenomenon is notoriously difficult to capture on camera, so just enjoy the magic instead. Watch fish jet out from under your boat like shooting stars, and elect for a glass-bottomed kayak to pretend you are in warp drive as you glide across the surface. Mosquito Bay has long held the title of the brightest bioluminescent spot in the world, and for good reason – millions of single-celled organisms called dinoflagellates glow bright blue when disturbed, creating a mind-blowing spectacle for those who venture out on the water via kayak. Puerto Rico is home to three bioluminescent bays, the most spectacular of which is Mosquito Bay on Vieques, a small island off the east coast. Mosquito Bay teems with microscopic creatures called dinoflagellates, which emit light when the water is disturbed © David Liittschwager / Alamy Vieques, Puerto Rico
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