Why do bioluminescent plankton make waves glow at night?

Many glowing shorelines are caused by dinoflagellates, a type of plankton that emits light when the water is agitated. When waves, swimmers, or paddles disturb them, they produce a brief blue flash through a chemical reaction. This can make surf, boat wakes, and even footprints in wet sand appear luminous on dark nights. Well-known glowing bays include places in Puerto Rico and parts of California and the Maldives. The phenomenon is beautiful, but it often depends on specific conditions like warm water, nutrient availability, and calm weather beforehand.