The final 2.7-mile section of Mount Baker Highway (SR 542), known as the road to Artist Point, is now closed for the winter season.

See Bioluminescence on a Kayak Tour in Bellingham

Bioluminescence occurs when living organisms emit light due to a chemical reaction; think of fireflies or glowworms. Some bioluminescent organisms, namely a kind of marine plankton, can be found in the waters near Bellingham, Washington, typically between the months of June and September. When you disrupt the water where these organisms live (like with a kayak paddle), the effect is a glowing blue or green color. You can experience this magical phenomenon firsthand by kayaking at night in the Salish Sea. 

The local kayaking tour guides listed below can help you get on the water and see this stunning natural display for yourself. Remember to always recreate responsibly

Find More Water Adventures!
        We acknowledge that Whatcom County is located on the unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples. They cared for the lands that included what we’d call the Puget Sound region, Vancouver Island and British Columbia since time immemorial. This gives us the great obligation and opportunity to learn how to care for our surrounding areas and all the natural and human resources we require to live. We express our deepest respect and gratitude for our indigenous neighbors, the Lummi Nation and Nooksack Tribe, for their enduring care and protection of our shared lands and waterways.
Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism
Visitor Center Located at I-5 Exit 253 - Check Hours
904 Potter Street, Bellingham, WA 98229
Phone: 360-671-3990
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