Sixteen Spellbinding Natural Light Shows

By Lndsay Taub

March 22,2015; 7:39AM,EDT

Simple science may explain the phenomena, but when it comes to natural light shows-be they in ravines in Arizona or caves in New Zealand-the effect is nothing short of magical. From forest fireflies in Japan to the violent, "everlasting" Catacumbo Storm in Venezuela to NYC's own "Manhattanhenge," these 16 natural wonders are totally worth designing a trip around.
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Credit: Nature Picture Library / Alamy
Phytoplankton at Mudhdhoo (Vaadhoo) Island, Maldives
There are few places left in the world where bioluminescent phytoplankton are plentiful enough to create this light spectacle. As a defense mechanism, the phytoplankton glow blue when disturbed or agitated, creating a "stellar" display on the shoreline at night. There are other places where this can be seen (Jamaica's Luminous Lagoon and Puerto Rico's Bioluminescent Bays in Fajardo and Vieques, for example), but the luminescence has been dimmer in recent years. Chemicals in things like sunblock and bug spray are potentially damaging, so, if visiting, please be mindful.

Credit: Michele Falzone / AWL Images
Antelope Slot Canyon in Page, Arizona
The slithering passages of the slot canyons are stunning in and of themselves, but when you add the light that sneaks through the slight openings in the rocks above, the color play (a mesh of oranges, reds, and purples) is particularly captivating. Tours through the slot canyons happen daily, but prime viewing hours are typically between 11:30 a.m. and noon. Visitors should check with the reservations line when booking, as the vividness of the scene varies throughout the year. Tip for photographing: visitors often kick up sand to get a more opaque spotlight.

Credit: Courtesy of Guizhou Tourism
Great Getu Arch in Getu Valley, China
The Great Getu Arch is essentially a beam of sunshine that breaks through a massive limestone formation, though there is some speculation as to the validity of the phenomenon: it's long been touted as rare and unpredictable, though some believe the images are, in fact, Photoshopped. A marketing director for the company who spoke with a photographer who's shot there said the ray goes through the arch in the morning during the spring and fall. Blogs claim the phenomenon happens in the morning hours between 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. on clear days. It's also worth noting that the light has also