The Marlborough Sounds’ waters can be just as bright at night as they are in the midday sun. Phosphorescence in the water makes a trail of lights that is quite mesmerising, and it is not uncommon to see this phenomenon in the sounds after hours.

It is the result of the bioluminescence of organisms in the surface layers of the sea. The luminescence of these organisms is stimulated by movement or when they collide with each other. Fish swimming around and boats moving can spark the phosphorescence, and from a practical point of view it can be useful for fishing at night as it helps detect concentrations of fish.

To create a bit of magic for the kids, you can make the glow yourself by lying on a jetty and running your hands through the water, or going for a night swim. They will talk about it for weeks!

Do you have any images of the ocean’s glow in the Marlborough Sounds? If so, we would love to see them! Share them with us on our Facebook page by visiting our page and uploading them.