“Such Amazing Scenery”: Cape Town Beach Glows at Night As Bioluminescence Draws Huge Crowd

• Cape Town locals were mesmerised as bioluminescence illuminated Muizenberg beach, creating a surreal, glowing spectacle
• The event was triggered by microscopic phytoplankton, which painted the waves with a stunning blue light as they crashed onto the shore and more
• Briefly News spoke to a beachgoer who has lived in the area for more than 15 years. She shared the build-up to the process and her thoughts on the experience
• The incident sparked widespread excitement online, with many describing the scene as "magical" and "once in a lifetime," and sharing photos and videos of the glowing shoreline

Cape Town residents were treated to a breathtaking natural spectacle this week when bioluminescence lit up one of the city’s beaches, creating an otherworldly glow across the shoreline.

The rare phenomenon that took place on Muizenberg beach on 28 August 2025 was caused by microscopic organisms known as phytoplankton, which illuminated the waves with a brilliant blue hue as they crashed onto the sand. According to Good Living, bioluminescence is a natural chemical process that causes the ocean to glow and glitter like stars in the sky.

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Marine creatures like fish, squid, crustaceans, and algae produce bioluminescence to confuse predators, attract prey, or lure potential mates. This phenomenon is observed when algae blooms in the water, and has been photographed across Australia, including South Australia and now South Africa.

Videos and photographs of the glowing shoreline quickly spread across social media, with many describing the scene as “magical” and “once in a lifetime.” TikTok user @life.with.shakes shared a clip on the video-sharing app showing the breathing scene where a group of large crowds gathered along the beach to witness the spectacle, with families, couples, and photographers all vying for the best vantage point.

Some beachgoers dipped their feet into the glowing water, watching in awe as the organisms responded to movement by lighting up around them.

Briefly News spoke to Nadine Talatala, who was among the beachgoers shared her take on the phenomenal moment by saying:

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"My apartment is just opposite Muizenberg Beach, and around 3 pm, we noticed that the sea had a strange reddish colour, and we thought it was maybe the fact that there are machines along the beach digging and doing some sort of construction," she said.

Nadine went on to add that in the evening, she noticed "beautiful, strange, shining green waves," which prompted her to go to the beach with her kids.

"I experienced such amazing scenery never seen before in my life. It was like things we see in the movies, with aliens, but it was just there in front of us. The beach was packed around 8 in the evening, such a beautiful sight. I have been staying there for more than 15 years, and I have never seen such magic. Thinking about that today, I can say that it was a blessing to be part of God's wonders."

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As the glowing waves continue to capture attention online, many Cape Town residents are hopeful that they might get another glimpse of the extraordinary display before it fades. For now, the city’s shoreline has become the stage for one of nature’s most dazzling performances, making it a particularly special moment for locals.

SA in awe of bioluminescence at CPT beach

People in South Africa took to the comments section to rave about the phenomenal beach moment, saying:

MJ ᥫ᭡ said:

"I can just imagine how magical it must’ve been to see it in person."

K4R4B0 added:

"This and lightning in the clouds would be beautiful."

Carlylicious expressed:

"Oh my word. soooo beautiful."

Melibear commented:

"I saw it in Gordon’s Bay, very beautiful."

Watch the video below:

Other Briefly News stories about people's bizarre experiences

• A man posted his ordeal after kayaking at sea and being swallowed by a whale in a TikTok video that went viral.
• People were in stitches after a man got excited to see a shark while standing on a rock until he slipped and fell right on it.
• One man who was trying to take a video of himself dancing ended up losing his phone to a body of water after eating.

Source: Briefly News