Night Snorkeling – Discover the Wonders of Snorkeling at Night

Snorkeling at night can be extremely exciting. This snorkeling activity is in fact my favorite type of snorkeling. The only other activity that may surpass it, in my opinion, is night scuba diving due to the fact that you have more chances to dive deeper, otherwise night snorkeling still gives you the same adrenalin buzz.

So why would anyone try and snorkel at night? It might seem strange and intimidating. Anybody who has tried it will tell you that there is a different world yet to be discovered.

The mystery of snorkeling at night will provide you with a new outlook on your favorite snorkeling site which may have lost its day time charm. At first you will feel slightly anxious… everybody does, its only natural, but then once you get used to it, you will automatically replace your anxiety with excitement, curiosity and a sense of adventure.

At dusk, you will encounter aquatic life that you seldom see during the day, making sight seeing different from what you would usually see during day time. At night the reefs become alive with the different fauna.

There are a number of aquatic creatures that just don’t come out in the day time. Nocturnal animals such as lobsters and shrimps become active, coral polyps open up at night to feed giving the reef a fuzzy and colorful sort of look.

You will also experience encountering luminescence microscopic plankton which generate light flashes if disturbed. Should you experience such an encounter, turn off your flashlight and wave your hands through the water. This will provide you with an unforgettable experience as you will see “sparks” igniting around you.. Its a great sensation… Try it, you will be in for a surprise.

Before entering the water – what equipment do I need?

Safe snorkeling is a must, especially when you are snorkeling at night. Therefore be sure that before conducting your night snorkel you are well equipped for the job. The difference to snorkeling during the day is that snorkeling at night requires additional equipment and more planning and preparation.

The most important piece of equipment is an underwater flashlight. The flash light will not only serve to bring out the colors and show you way during your night snorkel but will also make your position known to your snorkeling buddy.

When snorkeling at night, besides carrying a flashlight, I advise you to also consider using chemical lights. These are basically light sticks which use a chemical reaction. These type of lights serve as orientation lights for marking your own and your buddies location. It is wise to strap these lights onto your buoy flag staff. I also find these lights useful for finding my exit points. A snorkeling tip is to place them strategically at the entry points so that you will know where to exit the water. Example if you entered the water from either from land or boat, then strategically place them on the land or boat to guide you for an easy exit.

Another equipment you will find useful during you night snorkeling is a whistle. Attach this to your snorkeling vest and it will act as a signaling device to grab your buddies attentions should you be in an emergency situation. Again, it is important if all your buddies have this piece of equipment at hand.

Gear protection should also be taken into consideration. Protect yourself with an exposure suit, booties and gloves, since you are more likely to get colder due to the cool night air. Another advantage for you using protective gear is that you are also more susceptible to bump into things at night which would cause scrapes and cuts. However remember to take special care as not to damage fragile coral or other aquatic life.

This is an excerpt from an article appearing on Scuba-Snorkeling-Adventures.com. If you want to learn more on night snorkeling including planning and preparation and communication and emergency signals be sure to read the rest of our guide under the Tips and Techniques section of the site at http://Scuba-Snorkeling-Adventures.com/snorkeling-at-night.html.

Copyright (c) 2010 Scuba-Snorkeling-Adventures.com. All rights reserved.