Million Air Winter 2023/24

In the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica, there’s a tropical fjord named Golfo Dulce (which translates to ‘Sweet Gulf’ in English). The gulf’s calm waters are a sanctum for wildlife — it was named a Mission Blue Hope Spot (places that are scienti fi cally identi fi ed as critical to the health of the ocean) following the recognition of its unique biome and multitude of residents, from scalloped hammerheads and humpback whales to several species of dolphin. Golfo Dulce is also home to much smaller residents — tiny plankton — who are the stars of this experience from Untold Story Travel. As part of a 10-day itinerary in Costa Rica, come nightfall you’ll board a ski ff and cruise out to the middle of Golfo Dulce, far away from any light pollution. When there’s movement in the water, the plankton has unique properties that cause it to transform into luminous energy by synthesizing chemical molecules. The result is an ethereal neon glow that is pretty magical to witness even from the boat, but you’ll do one better and swim among the glowing lights. Gently fl oat among the tiny plankton as the swirling blues and green surround you, or don a mask to see the underwater kingdom glow with bioluminescence. From $30,000 per person. Contact Mark Allvey, co-founder, team@untoldstorytravel.com, +44 207 523 5858, untoldstorytravel.com Flight of fancy Bioluminescence swimming in Costa Rica

Words Samantha Coles Illustration Edward Tuckwell – Folio Art