If you have not yet gotten out to view summer 2022 bioluminescence in Puget Sound, you still have several opportunities throughout the summer. If you are new to this adventure, be sure to read tips & tricks we shared in 2020. We’ve found that the biggest factor is less about where to kayak and more about when to go.
If you’re a local paddler, we’ve pulled together the days and times you’re likely to be able to see bioluminescence in the Pacific Northwest in summer, 2022. Note that the times listed below are based on sun and moon timing for our home base of Tacoma, Washington. Your local timing will vary – more info in the article linked above. We also only listed nights that have at least an hour of total darkness – that’s when we’ve always seen the most impressive displays. For ease of planning, we’ve listed each night with two dates – times listed are for the night between. In several instances, you’ll notice that total darkness actually begins the morning of the second date.
If you can’t make it during one of these times, you may still be able to view bioluminescence. Your goal is to find water that is in darkness. In the absence of actual darkness, you may have some luck if you can find some shadows on a moonlit night. Or if you’re paddling with a small crescent moon, you may find that you have a good view even with the moon in the sky. Or if the clouds roll in to hide the moon, almost any night can provide a good opportunity.
July 2022
At the time of publication, we’re in a phase where the moon will be out for the entire time between the end of astronomical twilight one day and the beginning of astronomical twilight the next. However, the last few weeks of July will provide a lot of options for total darkness.
July 20/21 | 11:27pm – 12:37pm |
July 21/22 | 11:25pm – 12:58am |
July 22/23 | 11:22pm – 1:22am |
July 23/24 | 11:20pm – 1:52pm |
July 24/25 | 11:17pm – 2:30am |
July 25/26 | 11:15pm – 3:16am |
July 26/27 | 11:13pm – 3:20am |
July 27/28 | 11:10pm – 3:22am |
July 28/29 | 11:08pm – 3:27am |
July 29/30 | 11:05pm – 3:27am |
July 30/31 | 11:03pm – 3:29am |
July 31/August 1 | 11:00pm – 3:32am |
August 2022
In our experience, the most impressive displays have always been in the heat of summer. If you can paddle an August night, that’s likely to provide a good show.
August 1/2 | 10:58pm – 3:34am |
August 2/3 | 11:04pm – 3:36am |
August 3/4 | 11:22pm – 3:39am |
August 4/5 | 11:42pm – 3:41am |
August 5/6 | 12:07am – 3:43am |
August 6/7 | 12:40am – 3:46am |
August 7/8 | 1:24am – 3:48am |
August 8/9 | 2:24am – 3:50am |
August 18/19 | 10:15pm – 11:23pm |
August 19/20 | 10:12pm – 11:52pm |
August 20/21 | 10:09pm – 12:27am |
August 21/22 | 10:07pm – 1:10am |
August 22/23 | 10:04pm – 2:03am |
August 23/24 | 10:02pm – 3:04am |
August 24/25 | 9:59pm – 4:10am |
August 25/26 | 9:57pm – 4:26am |
August 26/27 | 9:54pm – 4:28am |
August 27/28 | 9:52pm – 4:30am |
August 28/29 | 9:49pm – 4:32am |
August 29/30 | 9:47pm – 4:34am |
August 30/31 | 9:44pm – 4:36am |
August 31/September 1 | 9:47pm – 4:37am |
September 2022
If we are still experiencing warm, sunny days in September, that can still provide a great opportunity to see bioluminescence at night. September also brings even earlier sunsets, so as soon as moonrise shifts later (toward the end of the summer), you’ll see some opportunities that might not even interfere with bedtime too much.
September 1/2 | 10:10pm – 4:39am |
September 2/3 | 10:39pm – 4:41am |
September 3/4 | 11:18pm – 4:43am |
September 4/5 | 12:09am – 4:45am |
September 5/6 | 1:16am – 4:46am |
September 6/7 | 2:35am – 4:48am |
September 16/17 | 9:04pm – 10:23pm |
September 17/18 | 9:01pm – 11:03pm |
September 18/19 | 8:59pm – 11:53pm |
September 19/20 | 8:57pm – 12:51am |
September 20/21 | 8:54pm – 1:56am |
September 21/22 | 8:52pm – 3:04am |
We hope you have a great time – drop a comment to let us know how it went. We’d love to hear all about your summer 2022 bioluminescence paddling trips!
Comments
Erik jansen • July 26, 2022
Blakely Harbor Alive the last couple if nights. Ferry wake is a cascade of rhythmic light.
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