PICS: Cape Town beaches glow blue, leaving beachgoers in awe

CapeTalk's Clarence Ford speaks to Barbara Friedman about trending online stories.

Listen below: 

In late August 2025, the waters off Clovelly Beach lit up with glowing blue light.

Residents and nighttime beachgoers witnessed this spectacular natural event transforming the choppy waves into a breathtaking, luminous display. 

Photographers such as Brenton Geach captured incredible images of the moment.

The glow is commonly referred to as bioluminescence in the sea, which is the natural production of light/glow by living organisms.

The light is caused by tiny chemical reactions inside the organism’s cells, which produce light, usually using a molecule called luciferin and an enzyme called luciferase.

Many marine creatures can produce light or glow, including plankton, jellyfish, squid, fish, and even some types of bacteria.

Different species use their glow for survival; to attract prey, confuse predators, camouflage themselves, or communicate. When billions of microscopic plankton (often dinoflagellates) are disturbed by waves or movement in the water, they emit a blue-green glow.

When to spot nature's glow:

• Time: late summer to early autumn (February–April), once a 'red tide' appears.
• Weather: Calm, warm nights with minimal wind and swell.
• Exposure: New moon or low-light nights enhance visibility.

"It's incredibly beautiful," says Friedman.

See the glow below:

Videos were also shared on TikTok as some saw the glow at False Bay and Muizenberg beaches.

Scroll up to listen to the interview.