The Ocean That Glowed

Essay Writing Competition 2026
Junior Category: 8 - 11 years
- Commendation -

Essay: "The Ocean That Glowed" by Janice Wong from Hong Kong

The Ocean That Glowed

This summer, my family and I went on a trip to Vieques, which is a gorgeous, picturesque island in Puerto Rico. My favourite place there was a natural landmark called Mosquito Bay.

While my family was on the tour bus, our tour guide told us a really interesting fact. The bay was not named after mosquitoes; in fact, it was named after a pirate ship owned by a famous captain centuries ago. As if the fact that the bay could illuminate was not interesting enough, I could also be on the very spot where pirates used to venture. It was simply a dream come true for a fantasy lover like me.

When we arrived, the sun was yet to set, so my family and I waited on the shore for a long time until the sun went down. Since the people on this island protected this area from light pollution, there were absolutely no streetlights or bright buildings. I was scared of the dark, but slowly adjusted to the dim surroundings. I learnt from the locals there that this was done so that people could view the fluorescent water more clearly and get the best view, as bright lights could make the illuminating water inconspicuous to the naked eye.

Then the fun began. I climbed into a unique kayak that was see-through and made with strong glass, and began paddling out into the faintly luminescent water. At first, everything was pitch black, but as soon as my paddle dipped below the sea’s surface, the water turned into an incandescent pool of neon blue light. As my oars moved, they made glowing blue sparks fly up in the air like magic dust. I leaned over the side of the kayak and put my fingers into the radiating blue water. The bright crescent moon cast a breathtaking reflection on the water, making it look as if the moonlight were reflecting off the neon blue glow beneath me. Seeing that glowing reflection on the sea’s surface made it feel less like I was on an ocean and more like I was floating among real stars in outer space, and with the moon as a planet. It felt like I was floating through a galaxy, without a care in the world except for enjoying the moment.

When the trip ended, it felt like no time had passed at all. Mosquito Bay is the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world, and being able to see its beauty firsthand was something that I would never forget.

My name is Janice Wong, and I am eleven years old. I live in a bustling city in Hong Kong, where the stars are often hidden by light pollution, so being able to see them shining clearly above me and watching the water glow beneath me made Mosquito Bay feel truly magical. Visiting this natural landmark made me realize how amazing nature really could be with the help of people. A few years ago, hurricanes nearly destroyed the bay, but the locals on the island worked very hard to help the island turn back into its original beauty.

One of my dreams for the future of Earth is that kids will protect the environment more often and realize how truly precious nature is. I hope that one day pollution will stop around the world, so that the exquisite and delicate parts of nature will always stay on Earth.

Thank you for sharing your fascinating experiences about Mosquito Bay, Janice. We really enjoyed your essay and appreciate your insights and your powerful message! Congratulations, well done!

Janice is 11 years old and attends St. Paul's School in Hong Kong. English and Cantonese as home languages