Watch Glowing Dolphins Frolic: How To See SoCal's Bioluminescent Waves

SAN DIEGO, CA — Glowing dolphins were caught on camera as they swam through the bioluminescent red tide early Thursday morning near Scripps Pier off the coast of La Jolla. The captivating site is one of the elusive natural wonders that light up Southern California beaches, for those lucky enough to witness.

UC San Diego photographer Erik Jepsen captured the footage while Scripps diving locker supervisor Rich Walsh drove the boat. The duo went out in the boat in the hopes of getting video of the bioluminescence and marine life, according to Karissa Duran, a spokesperson at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego.

Bioluminescent red tides are typically caused by large numbers of dinoflagellate Lingulodinium polyedra, a species well known for its displays of light, according to Scripps scientists. At night, when the phytoplankton are agitated by waves or other movement in the water, they emit a shimmering neon blue glow.

"We have recently had dinoflagellate blooms up and down the California coast," said Clarissa Anderson, biological oceanographer at Scripps and director of the Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System. "After looking at data collected off of Scripps Pier, I am seeing plenty of Lingulodinium polyedra and Tripos furca the last few days — both are producers of the bioluminescence light shows we are seeing."

Red tides are unpredictable and not all of them produce bioluminescence.

"There is no confirmation as to when this red tide first started," Duran told Patch. "The only thing we know is that we have had dinoflagellate blooms up and down the coast as of late."

Bioluminescent waves have lit up the coast of Southern California, with glowing waters also reported in Newport Beach, Playa del Rey, San Clemente and Ventura, according to a report from Fox 11.

Scientists are not able to predict how long the current red tide will last. Previous events have lasted anywhere from several days to one week to a month or more.

Bioluminescent displays are viewed best from a dark beach at least two hours after sunset, though visibility is not guaranteed, according to Scripps. Beachgoers should make sure the beach is open according to guidelines set by the local city.