An intense colored marine bacterium, identified as Cellulophaga lytica, has been previously isolated from a sea anemone surface on the Charente Maritime rocky shore (Atlantic Coast, France). Iridescence of the colonies under direct light was recently described and proved physically. Iridescence intensities were found to strongly differ among C. lytica strains from culture collections. Importantly, the occurrence and distribution of iridescent bacteria in the marine environment were still unknown. In this study, we searched for marine iridescent bacterial strains in different biotopes of the Charente Maritime coast. Various marine samples (water, sediments, macroalgae, others macroorganisms and detritus) were collected in seven biotopes using a direct plate inoculation method. Thirty-four iridescent strains related to the genus Cellulophaga were isolated. Interestingly, sixty-three iridescent strains affiliated to Tenacibaculum and Aquimarina genera were additionally isolated. Iridescence colors were different through genera. Iridescent marine bacteria were widely distributed. However, a majority was isolated from rocky shore and in particular on red seaweed surfaces and mollusks. Our data suggest that isolates with iridescent properties are well conserved in stressful environments such as coastal shore. This origin may provide insight into the ecological and biological functions of iridescence.