Beach glows as bioluminescent algae show up in South Australia

Bioluminescent algae have lit up a beach in South Australia.

Port Lincoln locals took advantage of the rare natural phenomenon, rushing to the shore to get a glimpse of the glowing water.

The phenomenon is rare to see in shallow water, as most sea creatures with bioluminescence live more than 1,000 metres below the surface.

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A build-up of plankton from an algae bloom makes the ocean glow when waves break, or when the water is disturbed.

Jervis Bay in New South Wales is another of the few places in Australia where bioluminescence is also common.

Bioluminescence is a naturally occurring chemical process in marine animals.

Fish, crustaceans and algae produce bioluminescence to either confuse or attract prey, according to the South Australian Department of Environment and Water.