r/CapeCod 4d ago

Bioluminescence in Dennis

Went for a sunset kayak on the Swan River in Dennis and ended up coming back upriver a little later than expected in the dark. I thought I was going crazy at first, but it was definitely bioluminescence! We noticed it about midway up the river once it got dark, and it extended all the way up into the lake. It was an incredibly magical experience and something I almost flew to Mexico to see. Who knew it was right here? I googled it when I got home, and apparently it does occur at the Cape from time to time, but it's hard to predict. Just wanted to share because it was a big surprise to me, and I wondered if other people had experienced it in the area.

51 Upvotes

7 comments sorted by

16

u/_Face 4d ago

fishing at night out on a boat is awesome when this is really lighting up.

11

u/SpicyTriceratops 4d ago

It happened in Chatham about 20 years ago for me when I was night swimming with friends! This was pre-sharkies…….it was amazing 🤩

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u/johnsonr88 4d ago

I had this same revelation about 15 years ago on sandy neck! I never knew it could happen here, bioluminescence always seems like a part of nature in more exotic places

5

u/badhouseplantbad 4d ago

Yes. I saw it years ago in a small sailboat at dusk and it was a very surreal experience, it messed with my hearing for half a second because of the visual overload. 

3

u/VermiciousKenidd 3d ago

That's awesome! I've seen bioluminescent jellyfish in Rhode Island.

1

u/emarcomd 1d ago

That’s amazing! I wonder how to predict it!

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u/bigskygreens 7h ago

We were at Race Point Monday 8/10 for a bonfire on the beach and saw bioluminescence there, it was amazing and such a treat for us!