Photos by Ali Harbi
In the past, sailors were surprised by an extraordinary phenomenon where enormous patches of seawater glow astonishingly along the beach at night. They called it the “Milky sea” back then. This phenomenon, which awed people across centuries has also been happening in Oman and has become of great interest to photographers.
Scientifically, it's referred to as bioluminescence. This wonderful phenomenon is caused by living organisms that emit some kind of chemicals called Luciferin. These chemicals produce light because they combine with oxygen atoms in the water when they are released. Besides, a chemical catalyst called luciferase is released at the same time, which accelerates the oxidation of luciferin creating more bioluminescence. These chemicals are useful for many creatures in the ocean in terms of nutrition and defence, as well as communication and reproduction let alone it is breathtaking beauty.
The majority of bioluminescence that people encounter is created by a small planktonic organism called Noctiluca. These little creatures will appear in some dramatic light displays, including glowing waves, neon-high tide lines and electric colours that trickle through your fingers if you scoop a handful of them.
More surprisingly, the presence of these chemicals in the bodies of planktonic organisms is thought to be a deterrent to their predators such as invertebrates and small fish. Some animals have begun to use bioluminescent light for various purposes like targeting their prey using the glowing bioluminescent bacteria as bait.
Across Oman, this phenomenon has been recorded to occur from the shores of Muscat particularly the tri-areas of Sifah, Bandar Khairan and Yiti and has also impressed visitors of the Dimaniyat Islands. Whenever it happens, it's always become a hot trend on social media.
In the beautiful beaches of Musandam, the people of the area have also been mesmerised by the phenomenon.
The strange glow of the milky seas occurs on a widespread and constant scale on the edges of Bassah Beach in the Wilayat of Khasab with people reporting that it creates a wonderful scenery at night.
This phenomenon has become a great source of attraction for many adventurers and enthusiasts to dig deep into the details of how and why it occurs, that is in addition to enjoying the stunning views and contemplating the beauty of the sea at night.
Photographer Ali al Harbi is one of them who has been fascinated by the glowing phenomenon at Bassah Beach.
“Capturing it on photos can be a bit tricky. I've heard numerous reports that it is happening in Bassah Beach but once you visit the location, it is disappointing that it's not as vibrant as I hoped it would be," Ali shared.
"After observing and following up on the locations for six days, it was easy to get disappointed and the high light pollution due to the strong street lighting added more to the frustration," Ali said.
"I was invested in capturing the phenomenon so after waiting for days, I finally managed to come at the right time when the moonlight wasn't too strong and the blue lights by the sea were visible," he said.
Ali said that capturing the lights properly requires some special skills, especially in light photography. When you get the settings right, capturing the phenomenon can be very rewarding.
According to Ali, "You should watch bioluminescence for its captivating beauty and scientific significance. This mesmerizing natural phenomenon, where marine organisms emit light, presents a rare and mysterious spectacle that enchants observers worldwide."
Among the renowned locations to witness this spectacle are Mosquito Bay in Vieques, Puerto Rico, known for its brilliant displays of dinoflagellates; the Luminous Lagoon in Falmouth, Jamaica, offering boat tours amidst glowing waters; and Toyama Bay in Japan, where firefly squid light up the sea with their bioluminescence. From the shores of the Maldives to the beaches of San Diego, bioluminescent displays continue to enchant and inspire awe, reminding us of the beauty and wonder of the natural world.
For Ali, he is thankful for the beautiful biodiversity of Oman and even in Musandam, they are also gifted to be able to see such a spectacle.
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