Bioluminescence Paddles

Join us on this guided nighttime paddle to witness the enchanting light of natural bioluminescent displays in Bellingham Bay! The glowing plankton is found throughout marine habitats including in our local waters from June-September. We will take you to some of the best places in the region to see their glow!

Your experience will begin on land with a safety briefing from your guides before launching and paddling to the area where we’ll get to view and interact with the bioluminescent organisms. Once we’ve reached our destination, one of your guides will provide an overview of the science behind bioluminescence to offer an understanding of how and why certain organisms produce light and what their activity reveals about ecosystem health.

We use tandem sea kayaks for optimal stability so if you come with friends, choose your partner wisely! (Friends not required)

This tour is suitable for anyone ages 13 and up. No prior paddling experience is necessary. However, participants should be comfortable sitting in a kayak for up to 2.5 hours and paddling approximately two miles at a relaxed pace.

While no previous kayaking experience is required, a moderate level of mobility and upper-body endurance will help you enjoy the tour. If you have questions about whether this tour is a good fit for your needs, please reach out. We have adaptive paddling equipment available to support a range of needs, and we're happy to discuss options with you.

Ages 13+: When bringing children on this tour please make sure you have at least a 1:1 adult to child ratio as we use tandem sea kayaks. For children under the age of 13, consider setting up a private Bioluminescence paddle so that we can accommodate your family.

We do not want cost to be a barrier from participation. Our scholarship program can be found here.