If you are an experienced
snorkeler, you know the wonders that await you underwater. If you have
never tried it, the images of the underwater world you have seen in
movies and on TV will have given you an idea of what you can expect to
find below the surface. Most, if not all, of what you have seen on TV
and in the movies, will be of the underwater world during the day.
Snorkeling at night is another experience altogether.
A Unique Adventure
Snorkeling
at night may seem to be intimidating at first. However, you will find
that in terms of safety and physical experience, it is the same during
the night as in the day, once you have been in the water for a few
minutes. At night you will see nocturnal sea creatures that never emerge
during the daylight hours. This is especially true of around coral
reefs which come to life with a huge variety of fauna after dark. This
is when you will see lobsters and shrimps and the mysterious microscopic
plankton which generate flashes of light when you pass near and disturb
them. When you see a flash of this light, turn off any lights you are
carrying with you and wave your hands around. You will be enchanted by
the sight of what appear to be sparks lighting up the water around you.
It is not just the marine life alone that is enchanting but the coral
and the flora look completely different, in comparison to what they look
like during the day. At night coral polyps open up and give the reefs a
fuzzy and multi-hued appearance.
The
aura of the night is compelling. You swim in the dark with only your
lights providing a tunnel of vision. The feeling is as if you are not
just in another world, but another dimension. After your first
experience, you are going to want to keep trying it. If you have your
regular snorkeling spots, exploring them at night will show you sights
that you will not have seen during the day.
Special Equipment
There
is nothing much in the way of special equipment required for night
snorkeling. A flashlight is, of course, essential. Chemical lights are
useful for illuminating a wider area than a flashlight beam. A dive suit
and gloves may be required because the water and air could be colder
than during the day. They also help to protect you from scratches and
small bruises since there are more chances of
you bumping against something in the dark. An audible alarm can be
useful for communicating with your buddies underwater, since hand
signals may not always be visible. That’s about it, unless you want to
take pictures or videos in which case you will need special lighting
equipment. Note that night time photography is not allowed in some
places as it could disturb the marine life.
The
best way to snorkel at night is to go out on a charter boat with an
experienced crew that knows the best snorkeling spots and will be able
to ensure your comfort and safety. Hawaii’s Big Island has a large
number of these boats. Look for one that has a regular schedule of night
time snorkeling trips and the experience to ensure that your adventure
is one that you will never forget.
In the next blog we will look at the unique opportunity to experience manta rays at night.
