A bloom of bioluminescent algae off the coast of California has turned Pacific Ocean surf an eerie shade of neon blue.

This stunning time-lapse was captured on Friday at South Ponto Beach in Calrsbad.

Thousands of people have been heading to the coast at night in the hope of witnessing the natural phenomenon.

Also known as a red tide, the algal boom was observed all week lighting up the waves along a 15-mile stretch of coastline.

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Me (the photographer) chillin' in the sand and enjoying the glowing bioluminescent red tide in San Diego County, California. This time lapse was filmed at South Ponto Beach in Carlsbad, California (San Diego County).

A red tide is causing the nighttime surf to light up in a striking blue color along parts of the Southern California coast. The phenomenon is caused by an algae bloom called bioluminescent phytoplankton and has been affecting the ocean from San Diego to Encinitas since Monday.