In the spring of 1972, during the equinox, I embarked on a voyage from Playa del Carmen to the island of Cozumel, situated in the heart of Quintana Roo, Mexico. This journey held more than just the promise of transporting goods—it delivered an encounter that would etch itself indelibly into memory.
My partner and I were engaged in commerce, moving supplies across these turquoise waters, with a skilled Cuban captain steering our 52-foot vessel along this ancient route beneath a darkening sky. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the stars began to shimmer faintly overhead, untouched by moonlight.
Approximately fifty minutes into our journey, a sudden blackout occurred—the engine faltered, and all electric lights aboard went dark, silencing the familiar hum of the motor. It was then that an extraordinary phenomenon unfolded beneath us. The night transformed, brighter than any daylight I had witnessed, illuminating shadows beneath the water’s surface. The luminescence seemed to emanate directly from beneath our vessel, bathing everything in an eerie glow.
We initially thought a submarine might be surfacing under our boat, but the scene that unfolded defied all norms. The ocean beneath us vibrated intensely as radiant beams suddenly propelled forward like torpedoes, darting with astonishing speed under the waves. To my companion and me, two brilliant lights danced beneath the surface, while our captain from the cabin spotted a third. These phosphorescent torpedoes twisted and turned through the water for nearly a minute before vanishing as suddenly as they appeared.
Just as mysteriously as it had stopped, our engine roared back to life, guiding us safely to Cozumel well past midnight. This enigmatic phenomenon left me with a profound curiosity, inspiring me to delve into the mysteries of the Caribbean’s skies and seas—from Cancún to Tulum, and beyond.
Legends say that the Mayan ruins scattered along these shores hold cryptic maps and time tables etched in stone, guides for those seeking to understand—and perhaps witness—such marvels.
For those intrigued by tales of the unknown and eager to explore paths where the veil between worlds thins, I invite you to join me in uncovering the secrets of these waters. After all, the night is full of mysteries, and perhaps these lights were but a glimpse into something far greater, waiting just beneath the waves.