Over the weekend, thousands of people flooded the beaches, phones raised and hearts racing, eager to witness what social media has lovingly dubbed 'the sea’s blue teardrops'.
What began as a scientific curiosity has turned into a national spectacle.
Under the velvet sky of Muscat’s late October nights, the sea itself seems to breathe light. Along the quiet curves of Al Bustan beach and the rugged edges of Bandar Al Khairan, waves lap the shore in surreal neon blue, a shimmer so otherworldly it looks borrowed from a dream.
As the tide rolls in, it leaves behind fleeting trails of light, as though the ocean has chosen to reveal a secret it has kept within its undercurrents for ages. This month, that secret has set Oman’s coast ablaze, not with fire, but with fascination.
The spellbinding phenomenon drew an unprecedented number of crowds to the beach to the point where the Royal Oman Police (ROP) were called in to manage the traffic and ensure safety as carloads of visitors wound down the narrow roads to Al Khairan. Officers also worked to protect the tranquility of nearby residents whose usually serene nights have been lit up, both literally and figuratively, by the luminous phenomenon.
But for many, the journey was worth every minute. Families, photographers and curious onlookers stood shoulder to shoulder along the shore, gasping as each wave flared into a radiant electric blue before melting back into darkness. Some laughed in disbelief. Others stood silently, wonder-struck, phones forgotten for a rare few moments of bedazzlement.
On TikTok and Instagram, Oman’s coastline has become a trending canvas of light. Reels capturing the shimmering surf have gone viral, their captions poetic and playful: “Avatar has come to Muscat”, one user wrote, comparing the glowing sea to the deep blue hues of James Cameron’s Na’vi creatures. Others simply posted the videos with a string of blue heart emojis, no words needed.
The phenomenon has taken over explore pages and stories, sparking a flood of memes, edits and photo montages. The hashtag #BlueTearsOman has become a digital diary of awe, documenting a rare moment where science and beauty collide.
Behind the glow lies a fascinating organism, Noctiluca scintillans, or simply Noctiluca.
According to Dr Khalid bin Abdullah al Hashmi, from Sultan Qaboos University’s Department of Marine Science and Fisheries, this microscopic phytoplankton is a natural part of Oman’s marine ecosystem. Its seasonal blooms occur twice a year, around September to October and again in January to February, when cooler waters and nutrient-rich conditions create the perfect environment for it to thrive.
“It’s among the less harmful species”, Dr Al Hashmi explains. “It doesn’t produce toxins, but when it decomposes, it consumes oxygen from the water, which can sometimes lead to fish deaths or mild odors due to the release of ammonium”.
As for the mesmerising light show, Dr Saud bin Muslim al Jufaili, Head of the Marine Science and Fisheries at Sultan Qaboos University, says it’s all thanks to bioluminescence, a natural chemical reaction. When the algae are stirred by movement, a wave crashing, a boat gliding, or even a hand sweeping through the water, a molecule called luciferin reacts with an enzyme named luciferase, producing a burst of blue light.
“It’s the ocean’s way of sparkling back when touched”, Dr Al Jufaili marks.
While breathtaking, scientists advise caution. Swimming during these blooms isn’t always safe, especially for people with asthma or allergies, as tiny particles can become airborne and irritate the lungs. Still, from a distance, the sight remains one of nature’s purest forms of enchantment.
The glow, fleeting as it is, will fade soon, disappearing as sea temperatures rise and nutrients shift. Yet for now, as night falls and the waves whisper ashore, Muscat’s beaches remain bathed in light, a living reminder that sometimes, the most magical things on Earth are born from nature’s science. (Pictures by Hisham Al Jahwari)
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