By Kamile Sirvinskyte

A rare phenomenon has been spotted off the coast of Kent.

Bioluminescence could be seen at Warden Point in Eastchurch, Botany Bay in Broadstairs and Reculver in Herne Bay.

It is most common in Caribbean islands such as Puerto Rico and the Maldives, however, when the weather warmed up recently it made it possible to spot them off our coastlines.

The colourful effects are caused by the production of light through tiny organisms such as plankton.

The water appears to be bright blue due to the plankton using it as a defence mechanism when its environment is disturbed.

Photographers captured the moment on camera at the weekend.

People commenting on social media described the sight as “otherworldly” and “incredible”.

Bioluminescence - also known as algal blooms - should only be admired from afar as touching it can have severe effects on human health such as skin infections.

It is first not the first time it has been seen off Kent, with previous sightings in May 2020 at St Mary’s Bay and around this time last year, in Botany Bay.

Photographer Roger Stanger rushed out with his camera to capture the moment.

“I feel lucky to have seen it,” the 54-year-old explained. “It doesn't matter how many times you see it – it’s amazing.”