Two friends were found deceased on Sunday afternoon following a late-night canoe trip in Tomales Bay, California, intended to observe the region's bioluminescence. The men, whose identities have not yet been released, departed for their voyage around midnight and were discovered by approximately 1:30 p.m. on Sunday. One individual was found in the water, while the other was located on the shore north of Hog Island.
Authorities confirmed that both men were wearing life jackets. They were reported missing when they failed to return from their planned excursion, according to the Marin County Fire Department. The Sonoma and Marin County Sheriff's Offices are leading the investigation into the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
Tomales Bay is known for its challenging conditions, including dangerously cold water, hazardous sandbars near its mouth, and strong afternoon winds. The pair had reportedly planned to camp at White Gulch Beach, situated on the western edge of the bay.
Their trip was motivated by the annual bioluminescence spectacle, a natural display that occurs when microscopic algae, known as dinoflagellates, bloom and emit light when agitated. This phenomenon is caused by a chemical reaction involving luciferin and luciferase, resulting in a vibrant blue glow in the water. Bioluminescence is typically visible in Tomales Bay from June to October. It can also be observed in other locations across the United States, such as the Outer Banks in North Carolina, Vieques in Puerto Rico, Florida's Space Coast, San Diego, California, and the San Juan Islands in Washington.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), bioluminescence is most common in squid, fish, and gelatinous zooplankton, which includes jellyfish, comb jellies, and siphonophores.