Nearshore Creatures

The Magic of Bioluminescence

IF YOU’VE EVER been on the bay past dark, you might have encountered bioluminescence thousands of tiny, fluorescent “sparks” that illuminate the water as it moves. While the phenomenon might feel like something out of a Disney movie, it’s rooted in biology: The ethereal glow comes from tiny plankton.

Teddy Bear Cove is a popular spot for seeking out bioluminescence, but it can get rowdy during the summer months. That’s why taking an official tour can be helpful, as guides can get you after-hours access to lesscrowded spots. Organizations like Moondance Sea Kayak, Outdoor Odysseys, Discovery Sea Kayaks, and the Community Boating Center also offer bioluminescence tours throughout the summer.

Harbor seals

These adorable fellas are familiar to shoreline junkies, as they’re sightable year-round from the coasts of the Salish Sea. Adults are between 5 to 6 feet in length, and 245–300 pounds. They generally are bluegray with darker speckles, and they spend time in the water eating up to 10% of their body weight per day, or wriggling about on rocky shores while they rest.

Tidepooling

Tidepooling is an awesome way to turn a hike into a little marine biology learning excursion! When the tides go out, natural pools are left in rocky outcroppings and basins, and inside of these protective underwater valleys are bursts of life. Check the tides at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association website, then head out to Rosario Head in Deception Pass State Park to see small fish, crabs, urchins, sea stars, and more.

Clam digging

Clam digging can be a fun family day trip with a tasty end result. Around our inland sea shores, you’ll find native littleneck clams, Manila clams, butter clams, and horse clams, among some others! Before you head out to the shorelines at Birch Bay State Park, make sure you have your license, as everybody over the age of 15 in Washington needs a license to fish and dig clams.

Oyster farms

The shellfish farms in our area encourage the growth of clams and oysters in their habitats, then harvest them for locals and beyond to enjoy. Where once the endemic Olympia oysters were overfished and their numbers decimated, now Eastern and Pacific oysters are bountiful and important parts of our aquaculture!

To enjoy these little Puget Sound gems, you can visit Taylor Shellfish Farms locations in Seattle and Bow, or Drayton Harbor Oyster Co. in Blaine.

In 2022, participants in the CBC’s excursions even collected samples of the glowing plankton for use in a research project at Western Washington University. Despite how beloved these tiny plankton might be amongst Bellinghamsters, we’re still learning about their biology!

Some viewing tips: Bioluminescence is most visible well after dark during the summer months, namely July through September. While it’s easiest to spot on a new moon (meaning less light pollution), Tori Ayres of Dragonfly Kayak Tours says bioluminescence can be visible even when the moon is full.

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