Scuba Diving by Night

Scuba diving after dark - an unforgettable experience

Scuba diving after dark is not everyone's thing, but for divers who seek a firm dose of adrenaline and those want to do something different, night diving it is an unforgettable experience. Where to go for a night dive? Scuba Shack Diving Centre in Cape Town is one of the diving schools that organises night dives in the waters around Cape Town.

A night dive is incredibly exciting and even a bit scary at times as, apart from the beam of light from your torch, it is pitch black around you. That does not mean it is dangerous, in contrary. The underwater world by night is incredibly fascinating: while your eyes adapt themselves to the dark, you will discover more and more about the ocean by night.

Through the fluorescent plankton you will distinguish the shapes of nocturnal underwater life without actually seeing the animals. You will spot creatures that only show themselves after nightfall, as for instance several species of octopus and squid, and small and harmless sharks.

The excitement already starts at the dive centre in Cape Town, at the end of the afternoon. After filling in the necessary paper work and after getting your diving gear, it is time to go to the harbour. Before you go aboard, "glow stick" is attached to your breathing apparatus.

A glow stick is a small tube with a chemical solution that start glowing after bending the tube. This is for security, so you won't lose touch with your diving buddy.

When arriving at the harbour, the dive masters gives one more briefing about the night diving, about how to communicate with your dive buddy and about what to do in case you lose each other.

After a spectacular night dive you return to the shore, with adrenaline pumping through your veins, for a shot of Old Brown Sherry. It is tradition in the world of diving in Cape Town!

This article was written in cooperation with Scuba Shack Dive Centre in Cape Town.

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