Night Diving - updated

[ctkell]

Finally went night diving and have mixed feelings. I enjoyed searching for different sea life with the dive light, especiallly enjoyed watching the eel poke his head out in reaction to the light. Also went with about 10 divers, and partnered up with two underwater. We three stuck together and seemed to make a good combo as far as exploring but staying close enough to see each other. The vis was pretty poor unfortunately, 10-15 ft at most even before it got dark. Now, the exit didn't go so well. I obviously need to get a compass and learn my way around the bay better, ended up not hitting the exit channel through the rocks quite right (understatement). The surf was higher than we expected, definitely higher than it looked before we went in. Lets just say after I was able to get away from the rocks and then a dive buddy helped me find the correct path to get out, thanks Jay!
Anyway, I have always heard not to judge viving off of one dive, so I will check this one up as a learning experience. The next night dive I do will be from a BOAT!.

 

[Divmstr223]

Where is that you did the dive? I see your profile says Hawaii...

And you said just right, it's a learning experience. We all have those types of dives where perhaps we are just a little out of our comfort zone, but it's all part of the learning process.

Glad you had a great time and I hope you will go out and do that night dive again, you'll feel more comfortable the next time for sure...

 

[TSandM]

Night dive, poor viz AND navigation . . . if you're only ambivalent about the experience, I think you had a good time!

 

[DiverBAS]

CtKell, I was out there for that dive and it was indeed the worst night dive I've ever been on. Our group did one dive and left. On the bright side, your night diving experiences will only get better from here on out! (Here comes some hindsight) It might be possible to hang some chemlights from that buoy that marks the break in the reef, both above and below the water. Although viz was so bad you probably wouldn't have seen the lights underwater until you bumped into the mooring chain. But you could pop your head up and be able to find the buoy.

That was my first scuba dive in Hanauma Bay. It will also be my last (been there, done that, you can keep the T shirt).

A much better night dive site is Angler's Reef in Maunalua Bay, which is on the other side of the peninsula where Hanauma Bay is. Captain Joe will take you there in Nori Z... but that's a whole 'nother type of Oahu Diving Adventure. The site is easily navigable and the reef comes alive after sundown. My wife compares it to a nightclub: dead in the day, hopping at night. There are always good critters there, including night octopus.

So chock this one up to experience and try another site. Night diving is a lot of fun and you see so much more than in daylight. Besides, you've already invested in a dive light!
Cheers!
Bruce