Jamaica… a tropical paradise known for its beautiful beaches, incredible waterfalls and vibrant culture! It offers travellers a variety of unique experiences and extraordinary adventures! Among the island’s hidden gems is the Luminous Lagoon in Falmouth, a natural wonder that promises an enchanting and unforgettable evening! Join me as we check out an Enchanting Glow: Exploring Jamaica’s Luminous Lagoon and why its mystical beauty should be on every traveler’s Jamaican itinerary! Ready to book? Click here!
Falmouth:
A popular cruise port nestled on Jamaica’s north coast, Falmouth is a historic town full of charm and colonial architecture. I hold some cherished memories from my daughter here (RIP) . Looking out her cruise ship window she exclaimed it’s the prettiest place I’ve ever seen! Falmouth serves as the gateway to some of the island’s most breathtaking natural attractions, including my new favourite, the Luminous Lagoon.
Why does it glow?
The Luminous Lagoon, is a bioluminescent lagoon comprised of brackish waters that illuminate in a mesmerizing blue-green glow. (Brackish water is when salt and fresh water mix and there’s more salinity than freshwater.) This natural phenomenon is caused by microorganisms known as dinoflagellates. When disturbed, these tiny organisms emit light which create a glow that illuminates the water and everything it touches. That being said the glow lasts a few seconds and is only visible in complete darkness.
The Experience – Exploring Jamaica’s Luminous Lagoon:
The Luminous Lagoon is a must-do when visiting Falmouth or surrounding areas! Staying in Runaway Bay, we were approx. 45 mins from Falmouth and it was definitely worth the trip! Our tour included a free rum punch and fire show. After dark, we boarded our boat and the crew shared safety tips and stories about the lagoon. Once moving, the boats’ motor stirred up the dinoflagellates, leaving behind a trail of illuminated sparkles… it was a surreal! We stopped in total darkness in the middle of the lagoon and had the choice to swim or watch. The brave jumped right in rewarded with the best undisturbed first glows! I sank into the mushy bottom and hurried back to the surface. Fortunately, I quickly forgot about the questionable lagoon floor, mesmerized by the luminosity enveloping my body, turning me into a radiant silhouette! (I felt like the Little Mermaid lol). Ready to book, click here!
*PRO TIP: The company has professional photographers on site who go on board the boats with guests to take pictures for a fee. After the excursion is complete, you can look at them at the kiosk back on land. Photographers aren’t on every boat, so if pictures are important to you make sure to speak up! Our boat for example did not have a photographer on board but I mentioned to our captain I would like photographs so he parked near another boat with a photographer on board so we could swim over to them for our captures! These image packages start at $40 USD and then send them via email transfer. (We paid $60 USD for 4 people). Check out this 10 sec overview video of the experience here:
Additional Falmouth Delights:
Yet another Falmouth excursion we enjoyed was on the nearby Martha Brae River, where we took a relaxing bamboo raft ride through lush tropical scenery! You can read about it here:
Info & Tips:
To make the most of your The Enchanting Glow: Exploring Jamaica’s Luminous Lagoon visit, here are some tips to consider:
- Book your Luminous Lagoon tour in advance, to secure your spot (We booked through our hotel and paid $49USD which included transportation too)
- Wear comfortable layered clothing and bathing suit underneath for warm and humid weather
- Bring a towel and change of clothes
- Don’t wear jewelry or loose items (like glasses) that you aren’t prepared to loose in the lagoon (if they fall off it will be impossible to find them again!)
- Insect repellent is an asset (we got a few mosquito bites during the fire show)
- Bring money or credit card for additional drinks, food or photographs
- Bring your own waterproof camera or case to save some photo money
- Moonless and cloudy nights give the most pronounced luminosity.
- The sky is FULL of stars on a clear night as you swim!
- Rainy nights give a natural phenomenon where the rain drop cause the lagoon to light up
Find this and other cool experiences at your hotel or on TRIP ADVISOR HERE!
Final thoughts about Exploring Jamaica’s Luminous Lagoon:
An incredible nocturnal light show, Falmouth’s Luminous Lagoon is a natural wonder that is a definite must see! So, next time you’re in Jamaica, make sure to check out The Enchanting Glow: Exploring Jamaica’s Luminous Lagoon. This mystical adventure that is guaranteed to create unforgettable memories with loved ones! Book your Lagoon visit here! Interested in other daytime excursions you can do while at port on a cruise? We enjoyed one on the nearby Martha Brae River, where we took a relaxing bamboo raft ride through lush tropical scenery! You can read about it here:
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