Most people typically go diving during the day, and night scuba might not cross your mind when choosing the right liveaboard diving trip for them. But if you have never tried night diving or going scuba diving at night, you might want to give it a try!
Night scuba diving can give you the chance to experience the ocean and see the underwater world from a new, cool perspective that you can only see when the sun has set. For example, you get to see various nocturnal marine animals that may be hidden during the day.
But beyond the cool sea creatures, there are other experiences you can only find on a night diving journey. So, let’s take a look at some of the best reasons why you should try scuba diving at night, as well as some tips to make your adventure as smooth sailing as possible!
What is night diving?
Just like what the name suggests, night diving is a type of diving activity that is done during the period after sunset and before sunrise. Unlike daytime diving, night diving requires special gears like a dive light to aid with visibility.
Though it may be daunting to some, it’s still quite popular among scuba divers across the globe, as it allows them to experience a different side of the ocean.
You might think that encountering nocturnal creatures is the biggest charm of a night dive, but there are several other interesting aspects of night scuba diving that make it worth checking out.
5 Reasons Why You Should Try Scuba Diving at Night
If you’re seeking new and thrilling perspective on underwater exploration, night diving can be an exciting experience. Here are 5 cool things you can experience when scuba diving at night:
1. Vibrant Marine Life
One of the coolest aspects of night diving is the opportunity to encounter sea creatures that you might not see during the day. Some sea creatures like certain types of eels, lobsters, octopuses, squids, and manta rays are more active or only come out at night. If you’re a fan of critters, you can also go hunting for ghost crabs too, which usually appear during the high tide after dusk.
Additionally, nighttime is also when a phenomenon called ‘Diel Vertical Migration’, also known as the largest vertical migration on Earth, occurs. After sundown, billions of sea animals, from zooplankton to sharks, rise from the deeper parts of the ocean to the surface to feed, mate, or engage in other nighttime behaviors.
2. Bioluminescence
Ever seen pictures where the ocean seems to be lit up with tiny, glowing blue dots? This beautiful phenomenon is called bioluminescence– and it is something that you can only experience at nighttime.
The ocean is home to various creatures, each with their own unique quirks and abilities. Some of them, such as certain species of jellyfish, can even emit their own lights, similar to fireflies on land. These creatures are called bioluminescent organisms and their light often appears when they sense disturbances.
So, imagine how surreal it would be to dive in the ocean with blue, tiny lights surrounding you. Surely, this is something that every diver must experience at least once in their lifetime, right?
3. See the True Colors of the Reefs
During the day, the colors under the water can appear muted or washed out because of the bright sunlight. However, at night, with the only light coming from your dive torch, you get to see the true colors of the reefs and marine animals.
In fact, certain types of lights, particularly blue UV lights, can intensify these colors. This is called UV night diving or fluorescent night diving, where you use UV lights and yellow visors that enable you to see psychedelic-like colors from the corals or sea creatures.
Fluorescent night diving is possible because of a certain type of protein that is found in some corals that can absorb the blue light and reflect them in different colors. The results are corals that glow in vivid colors like yellow, green, and sometimes pink or red.
This can be a great opportunity to explore underwater photography, as you’ll have a better chance to capture the unique, neon-like scenery!
4. Observe Unique Behaviors
Do you know that many sea animals show unique behaviors at night? For example, some fish create protective mucus bubbles to sleep safely, while others slot themselves in small holes so the current won’t carry them during resting time.
For curious souls, being able to watch these quirky behaviors will surely be a great spectacle to see on a night dive.
5. Enhanced Sensory Experience
The darkness that comes from the lack of natural light might deter some divers but, in a way, this limited visibility can sharpen your other senses. As you begin to rely more on your touch and hearing, you’ll pick up on tiny details that may often get overlooked during a day dive, including the sound of ocean currents and sea creatures.
The Rules of Night Scuba Diving
Similar to cave diving, a night dive can be a bit riskier than diving during the day. There are several things you need to know and prepare before going on your first night diving journey so that your journey can go smoothly. Here are some rules of night scuba diving you must know:
1. Practise First
First thing first, diving during the day and diving during the night are two entirely different things. So, even if you’ve been diving several times already, you still need some preparation and training through a night diving course.
You can opt to book a PADI Night Diver Course and get hands-on experience from a certified instructor, who will teach you everything you need to know about night diving.
This includes learning from professional dive instructors how to navigate in the dark, get used to special equipment that are often used in a night dive, as well as buoyancy control to avoid damaging the marine life around you.
2. Always Dive With a Buddy
While a diving buddy is important for a day dive, their presence is even more needed for a night scuba dive. The darkness can make it harder to keep track of our surroundings, so having a friend by your side can help make the journey safer. Remember to always stay close to your buddy and never lose sight of them!
3. Have a Solid Dive Plan
Another important rule for a safe night diving is proper planning. Before you start, create a solid dive briefing or plan with your buddy, and remember to always stick to the plan to avoid unnecessary problems If you’re unsure, it’s best to stay in shallow areas you’re familiar with, especially locations with mild, gentle currents.
4. Always Bring Proper Dive Light
Packing the right things is important in any dive trip. Other than having a liveaboard packing list, having a good light can greatly help with visibility in the absence of sunlight during your night dive. Generally, you’ll want to bring two torches to illuminate your surroundings during your dive trip. One as the main source of light, and the other as a backup.
If needed, carrying a third, smaller handheld light, a glow stick, or a strobe can also be a great idea. The handheld light can be useful to check your scuba gauges or communicate with your dive buddy.
5. Clear Communication is Key
Having clear and good communication can go a long way in making sure that you have a safe and smooth night dive experience. Establish some signals by creating some patterns with your lights or hands to communicate with your buddy.
For example, making a big circle with your light is generally understood as an ‘OK’ signal, while a horizontal line can indicate a problem. You can also shine the light on your hand to make a signal, but be careful not to shine your light in their eyes as it can be blinding.
6. Be Aware of Your Surroundings
The darkness in a night dive can be disorienting at times, so you always need to be aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to landmarks in the diving site, be careful of any currents that can affect your dive, and check the direction of your dive light regularly to stay oriented.
You should also be mindful of the creatures around you to avoid disturbing or harming them. Avoid shining light directly into their eyes because some marine animals can be sensitive to light.
Choose Our Liveaboard for Night Diving!
Now that you’ve learned everything you need to know about what night diving is like, it’s time to start booking your next trip and go into the open water! To make sure that your scuba night diving can be a fun experience, joining a liveaboard diving trip might be a great idea!
With a liveaboard, night diving can be a lot easier and more convenient. These boats can take you to various dive sites, giving you the freedom of going diving wherever you want multiple times a day. Simply get your wetsuit and equipment ready, and you’re good to go! Once done, you can simply retreat to your comfortable room for a good night’s rest.
If you’re looking for an operator that’s familiar with exploring the waters after dusk, then why not choose Solitude World’s Liveaboard and Resorts? With us, you’ll be able to seamlessly explore the top dive spots in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Palau– all while enjoying warm meals, comfortable rooms, and exceptional hospitality. In addition, no need to worry if this is your first time diving, as we have expert PADI-certified dive instructors for divers of all levels.
What are you waiting for? Book your next diving adventure with us here today!