Bioluminescent Kayak: Enjoying Nature's Light Show
If you're looking for a unique outdoor adventure, bioluminescent kayak tours might be just what you're looking for. When you book a bioluminescent kayak trip, timing your trip and bringing the right equipment can help you get the most out of your trip.
Bioluminescent kayak trips are contingent on the tides, water temperatures, and other seasonal fluctuations. Before you set a date for your bioluminescent kayak trip, spend a little time considering the best window to enjoy the natural light show.
Tides: generally, kayaking when the tide is higher tends to be an easier option for novice kayakers. However, booking a bioluminescent kayak trip when the tide is ebbing or flowing precipitously, can create currents that add resistance and difficulty to your paddling. If possible, book your bioluminescent kayak tour to coincide with a full, slack, tide. This is the point of the tide where water levels will be highest, while the current will also be the calmest. If you can't book a trip around a full or slack tide, be sure to contact your bioluminescent kayak tour guide service to ask about the difficulty level of the trip.
Temperature: bioluminescence is created when phytoplankton blooms and absorbs light from the moon, sun, or other light sources. In most coastal areas, phytoplankton blooms more vigorously when water temperatures peak. Thus, booking a bioluminescent kayak trip during warmer times of the year can yield more spectacular experiences.
Moon Phases: another way to get more out of your bioluminescent kayak tour is to book a trip near a full moon. The additional moonlight can make bloom phytoplankton light absorb and reflect more spectral glow than during a new moon. Similarly, booking bioluminescent kayak tours when the skies are clearer can help you avoid storms, while also yielding more vibrant lighting.
Gear
Although bioluminescent kayak outfitters can provide most of the gear you need, packing a few extra items can be helpful.
Red or Green Light: bringing a headlamp with a red or green light filter can provide you with the light you need to navigate your boat, without compromising the bioluminescent reaction you want to see.
Waterproof Case: if you want to document your bioluminescent kayak experience, you need to make sure your phone or camera stays safe during the process. If you don't own a waterproof case, bringing a few large plastic sandwich bags can be very effective.