Glistening Waters, also known as the Luminous Lagoon, is a small body of water just east of Falmouth where millions of microscopic bioluminescent organisms light up the water at night with an eerie blue-green glow. When a hand or an oar breaks the surface, trails of cold light follow the movement; fish darting through the water leave flashing contrails behind them; a swimmer is surrounded by glowing light. It is one of the most striking natural phenomena in Jamaica.
Night tours by boat run from the Glistening Waters restaurant and marina, which sits on the lagoon's edge on the road between Falmouth and Rio Bueno. The boat tour lasts about 45 minutes and includes time to swim in the lagoon — swimming in bioluminescent water is an experience worth seeking out specifically. The best effects are on moonless nights; a full moon washes out the glow. Tours run every evening; book in advance during cruise ship season when the lagoon can be crowded. The restaurant at Glistening Waters serves Jamaican food and is a decent place to eat before or after the tour.