Around Boston | Bioluminescent Sea & Fireflies 💫

Over the July 4th long weekend, we spent three days in Maine—and it was magical! I booked a kayak tour in the small town of Castine for my girlfriend and me. Kayaking on a summer night here has three unbeatable highlights: the bioluminescent sea, fireflies, and a sky full of stars ✨. Fireflies 💡 The fireflies were the biggest surprise—we had no idea they’d be there! When we paddled our kayaks to a small island to watch the bioluminescent sea, the fireflies on the island were incredibly vivid. Since we were on the water (at sea level) and the fireflies were on the island (higher up), their sudden flashes felt like shooting stars streaking right above our heads 💫. It was absolutely enchanting! Bioluminescent Sea 🌊 The bioluminescent effect here was amazing! I’d been kayaking to see bioluminescence in Florida before, but it was so faint I could barely see anything 😂. But in Castine? Every time I ran my hand through the water, tiny blue sparkles would flicker around my fingers—it felt like something out of a fairy tale. I even joked that I felt like Elsa touching ice, with “magic” glowing at my fingertips 👑. Starry Sky 🌌 Since Castine is far from the city, there’s almost no light pollution—so the stars were incredibly bright! The Big Dipper was huge and clear, and the entire night sky was dotted with stars, like someone had spilled a bucket of glitter. We even stopped paddling for a while just to lie back in the kayaks and stare up. Fireworks 🎇 We also got to watch the annual July 4th fireworks from the water! Let’s be real—American fireworks are pretty basic on their own, but the view from the water made all the difference. The reflections of the fireworks in the sea stretched right to our kayaks, making every burst feel double as bright and beautiful. It was the perfect way to celebrate the holiday! All in all, this is such a great activity for couples or friends to do together in summer! The only thing to note: There are tons of mosquitoes at sunset, so make sure to spray insect repellent. On our way back, we even saw three little deer crossing the road—this area is a high-hit spot for wildlife, so drive carefully! #BostonArea #CouplesGetaway #LE #Maine #BioluminescentSea #Fireflies