By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network Editorial Department

From April to August each year, the blue tears of Matsu appear, turning the sea into a romantic shade of pale blue. This stunning sight has even been featured on NASA’s official website, attracting numerous photography enthusiasts eager to “chase the tears.” However, this year, due to climate warming and an earlier arrival of spring, the blue tears phenomenon occurred about a month earlier than usual.

Since Matsu residents discovered the beauty of the blue tears in 2012, media coverage and blogger promotion have drawn many domestic and international tourists to witness the phenomenon, also boosting local tourism. It is said that in the past, Matsu locals called this phenomenon “Dingxiang water,” as large occurrences of these organisms would attract schools of small sardines (known as dingxiang fish) to feed. It’s important to note that this beautiful spectacle is rare and unpredictable. It generally occurs between April and August, but aside from the right season, the sea must also be windy with waves to stir up the ostracods, creating the chance to witness this breathtaking scene.It’s important to know that to see the glowing blue tears, there’s no need to step heavily on the ground or throw stones. Excessive disturbance won’t make them glow and may even harm the blue tears.

Based on past experiences in the Matsu archipelago, the southern islands of Juguang and Nangan are more likely to have blue tears sightings. Popular viewing spots include Nangan’s “Iron Fort,” “Dahan Outpost,” and the coastline from Ren’ai Village to Jinsha Village. Additionally, walking along the beaches of Dongju’s Fu Zheng, Meng’ao Harbor, Beigan’s Qiaozi and Qinbi Beaches, or Tanghou Dao Beach, and Nangan’s Jinsha Beach, you might spot tiny blue lights under your feet, and even leave behind “blue footprints.”

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