After dark, the Brisbane River can offer an unexpected spectacle at Morningside, where the water at Colmslie Boat Ramp has been seen flickering with an electric-blue glow.
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The phenomenon, known as bioluminescence, is created by microscopic marine organisms and has appeared sporadically along parts of the Brisbane River in 2026. At Colmslie, the effect can turn movement on the water into brief flashes of blue light, creating a striking sight for people visiting the river at night.
@pieterjohnsen How cool is this! 🤯 📍 Colmslie Boat Ramp Shoutout to @Brett Sarapung ♬ original sound – 𝐬𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐪𝐫*
The glow comes from tiny single-celled organisms known as dinoflagellates.
Microscopic Organisms Behind The Glow
One species associated with this type of marine bioluminescence is Noctiluca scintillans, also known as sea sparkle. These organisms are minute, but when present in large numbers, their flashes can create a visible blue-green glow across the water.
The light is produced through chemical reactions within the organisms. When the water is disturbed, the organisms can produce brief flashes, allowing movement at the surface to reveal the phenomenon.
Noctiluca scintillans feeds on microscopic organisms including diatoms, and can also use photosynthesis.
Queensland’s Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation notes that bioluminescence can be seen in Queensland and has occurred occasionally in Moreton Bay and the Brisbane River.
A Sight That Depends On Conditions
There is no reliable time or location for seeing the glow. Bioluminescence in the Brisbane River is sporadic, with water movement and tides influencing where the glow appears. Conditions can therefore vary between locations and at different times.
Colmslie Boat Ramp is among the Brisbane locations where the phenomenon has been observed in 2026. Other reported locations include Pinkenba Boat Ramp and areas around Howard Smith Wharves and New Farm Park.
For anyone hoping to see it, timing can be crucial. A disturbance on a dark stretch of water can produce sudden blue flashes, revealing microscopic life that is normally invisible.
Enjoy The River Responsibly
While the sight is fascinating, anyone visiting the Brisbane River should take care. Anyone entering the water does so at their own risk and should wash off with fresh water afterwards. The water should not be consumed.
Visitors are also asked to respect locals and others enjoying the area, avoid unnecessary disturbance and take their rubbish with them.
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At Colmslie, an ordinary stretch of the Brisbane River can become an extraordinary sight after sunset. The organisms responsible may be microscopic, but under the right conditions, their flashes can transform the water into a spectacular natural lightshow.
Published 13-August-2026
