How to see bioluminescence without a tour in Isla Holbox, Mexico
Visiting Holbox in Mexico? Want to see the bioluminescence? Let me show you how to see the magical bioluminescence in Isla Holbox without a tour – 100% free!
WHAT IS BIOLUMINESCENCE?
Bioluminescence is defined as ‘the production and emission of light by living organisms’. It’s a pretty rare phenomenon, and one of nature’s best-kept secrets. But what does this mean for you and your travels in Mexico?
Imagine strolling along a white sandy beach at night and seeing the waves sparkle with an otherworldly soft blue light. Paddling in the shallows, the waves splashing against your legs, sends twinkling drops of water dripping back into the sea. Or, swimming in the ocean, the water sparkling around your fingers as you move.
That’s bioluminescence, baby!
Bioluminescence is caused by tiny marine plankton in the water and sand that light up in response to movement. Whether it’s waves crashing on the shore, a boat gliding through the water, or even your own footsteps in the wet sand, the plankton create a magical, twinkling, glowing trail.
I’ve been lucky enough to see bioluminescence twice, both times completely by accident. The first time was nothing more than tiny twinkles in an estuary in Chile’s Lake District: specks of plankton shooting across the calm water like stars, gone before you realise what you’ve seen. The second time was in the waters surrounding Holbox, an island set just off the Yucatan coast of Mexico. Here, the slightest movement set the waters sparkling everywhere. It was magical!
And that’s what we’re sharing with you today! How can you see bioluminescence without a tour in Mexico.
Did you know: the bioluminescent plankton in Isla Holbox is what attracts the majestic whale sharks? Want to swim with whale sharks? Check out our guide to doing that ethically.
DO I NEED A TOUR TO SEE BIOLUMINESCENCE IN MEXICO?
Nope! This is one thing in Central America where you can save money. You can see bioluminescence in Isla Holbox without a tour, by yourself.
If you walk around Holbox, you will see every stall and shop advertising a bioluminescence tour. The cost is around $415 MXN ($25 USD / £20 GBP).
While this isn’t so high, the tour includes two things:
- A ride to Punta Coco by golf cart
- Someone to watch your bags whilst you swim/paddle in a bioluminescent ocean for an hour
Now I don’t mind taking a tour when it’s necessary for my safety, or when I learn something cool and interesting that enriches my experience. But the bioluminescence ‘tour’ on Holbox didn’t seem worth it especially when we knew this could be done on our own.
So, we saw the bioluminescence ourselves! And we’re going to share how.
5 STEPS TO SEEING THE BIOLUMINESCENCE FOR FREE IN ISLA HOLBOX
- Download the offline map for Isla Holbox on Google Maps
- Google “Punta Coco” on maps and make sure you can access this online. It’s an easy 30 minute walk from the town centre. If you don’t want to walk, many hotels have bicycles you can borrow, or you can haggle for a ride.
- Grab a friend! Holbox is considered fairly safe, but I’d still rather go with a buddy just in case.
- Bioluminescence is seen best during a new moon or clear night during the summertime and it needs to be completely dark. We set off at around 20:00.
- Walk to Punta Coco, dip your toes in the sea, swim, and most of all, enjoy!
Top tip: If you can’t or don’t want to trek out to Punta Coco at night, you have a pretty good chance of seeing bioluminescence from the town too! Just walk out onto the beach, as far away from the lights as you can.
HOW TO SWIM IN A BIOLUMINESCENT SEA IN ISLA HOLBOX: OUR EXPERIENCE
We walked to the beach after dinner one evening and (as usual) I slipped off my shoes to dip my toes in. I literally can’t walk past the ocean without needing to at least paddle up to my ankles (yep, same for our local beach in Scotland too!)
As I waded up to my knees, the water around my feet began to softly glow in shades of pale blue and green. At first, I thought my brain was tricking me, that these were reflections of lights from buildings perhaps. It took me a minute to realise this was it! We’d stumbled upon the bioluminescence advertised across Holbox, seemingly by accident.
We ran back to the hotel to grab our swimsuits, towels, and a better camera. Swimming under a clear sky as water sparkled around my fingers was an experience I’ll never forget. I felt like a wizard, brushing a sea of stars every time I moved!
The water around Holbox is shallow, it only comes up to your knees. This means you can also enjoy bioluminescence in just your shorts.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME SEE BIOLUMINESCENCE IN HOLBOX
Bioluminescence in Isla Holbox is also best seen in the summer and autumn, with prime time between June and August.
The best time of the month to see bioluminescence in Isla Holbox is when it’s darkest. This is usually a couple of days before or after a New Moon. If there is moonlight, you can try and cast a shadow on the water, where you’ll be better able to see any bioluminescent plankton.
As with anything in nature, seeing bioluminescence is never guaranteed: a friend tried to see it in Holbox in February and wasn’t successful! But by following the tips in this blog post, you’ll be able to maximise your chances of seeing bioluminescence in Isla Holbox for free.
TOP TIPS TO SEE BIOLUMINESCENCE IN ISLA HOLBOX
To get the most out of your bioluminescence swim or paddle, here are a few quick recommendations:
BIOLUMINESCENCE HUNTING: WHAT TO BRING
Swimsuit: the water around Isla Holbox and Punta Coco is only knee deep, so you can easily enjoy the bioluminescence in your shorts, but if you’d like to swim, pack a swimsuit and a towel.
Torch: The walk to Punta Coco can be dark, so bring a torch or a fully-charged phone flashlight.
Camera: If you want photos, bring a camera or phone with the ability to take long-exposure shots
BIOLUMINESCENCE HUNTING: WHAT NOT TO BRING
Water shoes: The water is calm and the sand is white and soft, with few rocks, so water shoes aren’t necessary.
Valuables: You’ll be in the water, so leave your valuables at home to minimise the risk of something happening to them!
Be considerate! Avoid using even the smallest light on the beach itself as this can reduce visibility for other people. Try to minimise screen use and turn off bike lights, golf cart headlights, and head torches.
And of course, a bioluminescence tour isn’t the only attraction on the island of Holbox. Check out our other Holbox guides here.
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Alice
Alice is a UK travel blogger who advocates sustainable travel and being more eco-conscious on a budget. She loves coffee, her houseplants and summiting mountains.
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