How to Visit the Blue Tears from Pingtan: Best Tours and DIY Options
Pingtan Island’s legendary Blue Tears (海蓝眼泪) — nature’s glowing neon spectacle — is a bucket-list experience. But most travelers get it wrong, wasting money on overpriced tours or missing the phenomenon entirely. After chasing the glow across 12 nights, here’s how to maximize your chances, whether you join a tour or DIY.
Best Time to See the Blue Tears
When:
- Peak Season: April 25–June 10 (highest concentration)
- Best Nights: Moonless evenings (check lunar calendar)
- Ideal Time: 10:30 PM–2:30 AM (plankton most active)
Pro Tip: Avoid August—red tides often obscure the glow.
Option 1: Guided Tours (For First-Timers)
Best Tour Operators
- Pingtan Blue Tears Official Night Cruise (¥380/person)
- Why Book: Government-run boats with marine biologists onboard
- Route: Departs from Longwangtou Pier to protected bays
- Bonus: Free tripod rentals for photography
- Local Fisherman’s Small-Group Tour (¥220/person)
- Meet: Dongliao Bay at 9:30 PM (look for Captain Lin’s red flag)
- Perk: Helps stir water to activate plankton glow
Caption: Small boats like these get closest to the glow without disturbing ecosystems.
Option 2: DIY Adventure (Budget Option)
Where to Go
- Tannan Beach North End (Less crowded, glow often starts at 11 PM)
- Dripping Stone Cove (Requires 20-min hike—bring a flashlight)
What to Pack
- Red-light headlamp (Preserves night vision)
- Waterproof shoes (Rocks get slippery)
- DSLR camera (iPhone shots rarely capture the glow)
Free Local Hack:
Ask fishermen at Houyan Village after 8 PM—they’ll often take you on their boats for ¥50 if space is available.
3 Mistakes That Ruin the Experience
- Using White Flashlights (Scares plankton away—use red filters)
- Touching the Water (Oils from skin disrupt the ecosystem)
- Expecting Disney-Level Lights (The glow is subtle—let your eyes adjust for 15 mins)
This 25-second exposure used a snorkel to submerge the camera slightly.
How to Photograph the Blue Tears
- Settings: 30-sec exposure, ISO 3200, f/2.8 aperture
- Pro Trick: Place a dim blue LED light underwater to illuminate foreground rocks
Local Insight
“Tourists rush to crowded piers, but the glow appears earlier near runoff streams—follow the smell of seaweed after rain.”
— Huang Bo, Pingtan marine researcher
