Why Snorkeling at Night is so adventurous

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. 

You will discover that snorkeling at night in your favorite site location is the same as if you were to snorkel at a whole new site.

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 an 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.

Planning and preparation for snorkeling at night

Planning is key so that you may have a successful night snorkeling adventure. As a general rule, never snorkel alone at night. It is important to bring a buddy with you. It is also a good idea to bring someone who is not going to participate in the night snorkeling activity so as to help in cases of emergencies.

Another important factor to be considered is that night snorkeling should always be conducted in an area which you know well. Ideally you snorkel the site during the day just before your night snorkel so that you get accustomed to the environment. Get to know your entry and exit points.

Finally communicate and plan your snorkeling adventure with your buddies. It is important that everyone involved knows exactly what is expected from him/her. Agree upon the coordinates for where you intend to snorkel and the duration of the event. Inform someone that you will be snorkeling in the particular area and the time you are expected to be back on land.

Communication and emergency signals for night snorkeling

One thing to consider is that communication during the night is even more difficult. Grabbing your partners attention without the use of either a flashlight or a whistle is extremely difficult to say the least. Unless you take the extra effort, your hand signals will not be seen.

For this reason, it is extremely important that the flashlight and whistle are considered as standard equipment for night snorkeling. Below is a list of signals which can be used during your night snorkeling event:

• Waving you hand slowly up and down with the flashlight on is an attention signal. 
• Rapid side to side light motion is considered an emergency attention signal.
• Once you have your partner's attention you can signal by placing your hand in front of the flashlight and use your hand signals. Also consider not to shine the light directly in your buddies eyes.
• Another signal which can be used is the “Ok” signal. This is achieved by using the light itself, make a large circle “O”. Another variant for the “OK” signal is holding the light overhead so that it points down on the top of your head.
• For emergency signals, use a rapid back and forth motion to signal the emergency and use this in conjunction with rapid blows to your whistle.