January
The new moon is January 18th. This is the best time to see the bioluminescence. The weeks before and after the new moon, January 11th to January 25th, also have little to no moonlight and are optimal for viewing bioluminescence. The mid-moon cycles, January 6th to January 10th and January 26th to 31st, are an OK time to see bioluminescence, but some moonlight may be visible. The nearest full moon is January 3rd and February 1st. Full moon nights and the few days before and after the full moon are not optimal times, as moonlight is more likely to affect the visibility.
OPTIMAL DATES FOR JANUARY: January 11th – January 25th (new moon on the 18th)
February
The new moon is February 17th. This is the best time to see the bioluminescence. The weeks before and after the new moon, February 10th to February 24th, also have little to no moonlight and are optimal for viewing bioluminescence. The mid-moon cycle, February 4th to February 9th and February 25th to March 2nd, are an OK time to see the bioluminescence, but some moonlight may be visible. The nearest full moons are February 1st and March 3rd. Full moon nights and the few days before and after the full moon are not optimal times, as moonlight is more likely to affect the visibility.
OPTIMAL DATES FOR FEBRUARY: February 10th – February 24th (new moon on the 17th)
March
The new moon is March 18th. This is the best time to see the bioluminescence. The weeks before and after the new moon, March 11th to March 25th, also have little to no moonlight and are optimal for viewing bioluminescence. The mid-moon cycle, March 6th to March 10th and March 26th to March 30th, are an OK time to see the bioluminescence, but some moonlight may be visible. The nearest full moons are March 3rd and April 1st. Full moon nights and the few days before and after the full moon are not optimal times, as moonlight is more likely to affect the visibility.
OPTIMAL DATES FOR MARCH: March 11th – March 25th (new moon on the 18th)
April
The new moon is April 17th. This is the best time to see the bioluminescence. The weeks before and after the new moon, April 10th to April 24th, also have little to no moonlight and are optimal for viewing bioluminescence. The mid-moon cycle, April 5th to April 9th and April 25th to April 30th, are an OK time to see the bioluminescence, but some moonlight may be visible. The nearest full moons are April 1st and May 1st. Full moon nights and the few days before and after the full moon are not optimal times, as moonlight is more likely to affect the visibility.
OPTIMAL DATES FOR APRIL: April 10th – April 24th (new moon on the 18th)
May
The new moon is May 16th. This is the best time to see the bioluminescence. The weeks before and after the new moon, May 9th to May 23rd, also have little to no moonlight and are optimal for viewing bioluminescence. The mid-moon cycle, May 4th to May 8th and May 17th to May 21st, are an OK time to see the bioluminescence, but some moonlight may be visible. The nearest full moons are May 1st and May 31st. Full moon nights and the few days before and after the full moon are not optimal times, as moonlight is more likely to affect the visibility.
OPTIMAL DATES FOR MAY: May 9th – May 23rd (new moon on the 16th)
June
The new moon is June 14th. This is the best time to see the bioluminescence. The weeks before and after the new moon, June 7th to June 21st, also have little to no moonlight and are optimal for viewing bioluminescence. The mid-moon cycle, June 2nd to June 6th and June 22nd to June 26th, are an OK time to see the bioluminescence, but some moonlight may be visible. The nearest full moons are May 31st and June 29th. Full moon nights and the few days before and after the full moon are not optimal times, as moonlight is more likely to affect the visibility.
OPTIMAL DATES FOR JUNE: June 7th – June 21st (new moon on the 14th)
July
The new moon is July 14th. This is the best time to see the bioluminescence. The weeks before and after the new moon, July 7th to July 21st, also have little to no moonlight and are optimal for viewing bioluminescence. The mid-moon cycle, July 2nd to July 6th and July 22nd to July 26th, are an OK time to see the bioluminescence, but some moonlight may be visible. The nearest full moons are June 29th and July 29th. Full moon nights and the few days before and after the full moon are not optimal times, as moonlight is more likely to affect the visibility.
OPTIMAL DATES FOR JULY: July 7th – July 21st (new moon on the 14th)
August
The new moon is August 12th. This is the best time to see the bioluminescence. The weeks before and after the new moon, August 5th to August 19th, also have little to no moonlight and are optimal for viewing bioluminescence. The mid-moon cycle, August 1st to August 4th and August 20th to August 24th, are an OK time to see the bioluminescence, but some moonlight may be visible. The nearest full moons are July 29th and August 28th. Full moon nights and the few days before and after the full moon are not optimal times, as moonlight is more likely to affect the visibility.
OPTIMAL DATES FOR AUGUST: August 5th – August 19th (new moon on the 12th)
September
The new moon is September 10th. This is the best time to see the bioluminescence. The weeks before and after the new moon, September 3rd to September 17th, also have little to no moonlight and are optimal for viewing bioluminescence. The mid-moon cycle, August 29th to September 2nd and September 18th to September 22nd, are an OK time to see the bioluminescence, but some moonlight may be visible. The nearest full moons are August 28th and September 26th. Full moon nights and the few days before and after the full moon are not optimal times, as moonlight is more likely to affect the visibility.
OPTIMAL DATES FOR SEPTEMBER: September 3rd – September 17th (new moon on the 10th)
October
The new moon is October 10th. This is the best time to see the bioluminescence. The weeks before and after the new moon, October 3rd to October 17th, also have little to no moonlight and are optimal for viewing bioluminescence. The mid-moon cycle, September 28th to October 2nd and October 18th to October 26th, are an OK time to see the bioluminescence, but some moonlight may be visible. The nearest full moons are September 26th and October 26th. Full moon nights and the few days before and after the full moon are not optimal times, as moonlight is more likely to affect the visibility.
OPTIMAL DATES FOR OCTOBER: October 3rd – October 17th (new moon on the 10th)
November
The new moon is November 9th. This is the best time to see the bioluminescence. The weeks before and after the new moon, November 2nd to November 16th, also have little to no moonlight and are optimal for viewing bioluminescence. The mid-moon cycle, October 28th to November 1st and November 17th to November 21st, are an OK time to see the bioluminescence, but some moonlight may be visible. The nearest full moons are October 26th and November 24th. Full moon nights and the few days before and after the full moon are not optimal times, as moonlight is more likely to affect the visibility.
OPTIMAL DATES FOR NOVEMBER: November 2nd – November 16th (new moon on the 9th)
December
The new moon is December 8th. This is the best time to see the bioluminescence. The weeks before and after the new moon, December 1st to December 15th, also have little to no moonlight and are optimal for viewing bioluminescence. The mid-moon cycle, November 26th to November 30th and December 16th to December 20th, are an OK time to see the bioluminescence, but some moonlight may be visible. The nearest full moons are November 24th and December 23rd. Full moon nights and the few days before and after the full moon are not optimal times, as moonlight is more likely to affect the visibility.
OPTIMAL DATES FOR DECEMBER: December 1st – December 15th (new moon on the 8th)
Bioluminescence is a year-long phenomenon. In the summer months (June – September) and into Fall, we see a bioluminescence produced by a plankton called dinoflagellates. In the winter months, we see a bioluminescence produced by comb jellies. During certain months we are able to see both of them at the same time during the transitionary periods.
While we are able to see at least one type of bioluminescence throughout the entire year, the visibility of the bioluminescence can depend on the moon phase, shown on the above calendar.
While we typically see the bioluminescence nightly, the optimal time to go is on the days before or after a new moon when there is little to no moon visible. This way, there is no moonlight reflecting on the water disrupting your view of the bioluminescence. We recommend going within a week of the new moon, or on days when the moon is going to be rising late. However, these dates typically fill up fast, so we recommend booking well in advance.
While the moonlight can affect the bioluminescence, you can still have a great experience on a full moon night. Our guides are trained to take you to the areas where you are most likely to see the bioluminescence, such as areas where trees are blocking the moon. There are also many nights where the clouds are blocking the moon, making it feel like a new moon night. You can also try to go on a night when the moon rises very late in the evening after your tour. Plus, during the summer months when the dinoflagellate bioluminescence is at its peak, you should see bright bioluminescence every night. Kayaking during the full moon can be a beautiful experience!
We are happy to help you pick the perfect day to go that works for you and provides an amazing bioluminescence experience. Call or text us at (407) 519-8711 or email [email protected].
