Why You Should Try Night Diving

The marine geology is as beautiful and mysterious as the aquatic life that calls it home. This makes the incredible world that lies deep in the ocean worth exploring. Diving opens a whole new dimension that relaxes the senses. The sight of colorful marine life in various shapes and sizes is a real feast for the eyes. The ocean is the perfect escape if you’re yearning for a little peace and tranquility away from the stressors of day-to-day living. 

If you think that diving during the day is an incredible experience, wait ‘til you try diving at night. The ocean is such a magical place that it’s like two different worlds rolled into one. You’ll be amazed at how the underwater world changes when the sun goes down and the darkness envelopes the water. 

If you plan to go scuba diving UAE, you can join Nemo Diving Center’s scuba diving Fujairah Night Dive. Our trip begins with a sunset boat ride at 6:30 pm. 

What makes night diving worthwhile

Fascinating transformation

Think of the marine world as a big production play where the characters change from Act 1 to Act 2. Watch the marine creatures change from day to night when the curtain of darkness covers the aquatic environment.

The amazing thing about diving is that you can experience the beauty of both worlds. If you’re going night diving for the first time, it’s recommended that you choose a site that you have already explored during the day. This way you’ll see the magical reef transform from daylight to darkness. 

When diving at night, the colors around you are revealed under the glow of your dive torch. This source of artificial light is what showcases the bright colors of the underwater world. 

Bioluminescence

There are tiny plankton organisms that emit minuscule light flashes when set in motion. Try to cover your torch or flash flight for a moment then wave your arms around in the water. The movement disturbs the plankton which results in a chemical reaction called chemiluminescence or the emission of light. The blue specs in the veil of darkness almost resemble a glow stick in the water. Aside from plankton, there are also bioluminescent corals, jellyfish, and other deep-sea creatures.

Marine life at night

While some animals retreat to their sleeping chambers when the day comes to an end, some emerge from their slumber at nightfall. Nocturnal predators go out to seek prey at night. Sharks have an advantage in low-light conditions because of their keen eyesight and sense of smell. They have a mirror-like membrane at the back of their eyes just like cats which gives sharks excellent night vision. In addition, sharks can detect their potential prey’s bioelectricity.

Eels are also magnificent nocturnal predators. They have a great sense of smell that helps them locate prey. Eels like to prey on small fish, crustaceans, and invertebrates.

Most species of octopus sleep during the day and become active at night. These intelligent predators are known as masters of camouflage. They have the natural gift to match the colors and even textures of their environment. Their knack for hiding in plain sight gives them the advantage to stalk and pounce on their prey. Octopus loves feeding on mollusks and crustaceans but they also have a taste for fish and snails. Camouflage is also their way of protecting themselves from their predators. When they feel threatened, they can escape with lightning speed by propelling and releasing a cloud of black ink.

Other cephalopods like squid and cuttlefish are also a treat to encounter during your night dive. They are famous for their rapid color changes using elastic pigment sacs called chromatophores. They escape predators by adjusting the pigment and iridescence of their skin. No wonder squid and cuttlefish have a reputation for being champions of camouflage.