Red tide makes nighttime surf light up blue along Southern California coast

A stunning phenomenon — on display along parts of the southern California coast.

A red tide is making the nighttime surf light up with a blue glow.

It’s caused by an algae bloom called bioluminescent phytoplankton.

And since Monday, it’s been affecting the ocean tide from San Diego to Encinitas.

Bioluminescence expert Michael Latz says that hasn’t happened there in nearly five years.

John Cunningham took some of these images at Torrey Pines State Beach in San Diego County.

He wrote on Instagram “seeing that electric blue flowing through the waves was an incredible experience, and the pictures certainly don’t do it any justice.”