I think many of you can relate that as a child, having your playtime interrupted by parents calling you in to supper or to finish chores. How you wished that there were more daylight hours that would allow you to play longer.

I know many snorkelers who feel the same way after a great day of snorkeling. They trudge back up the shore as the last rays of the sun dip below the horizon with that I wanna play longer look on their faces. I will let you in on a little secret though, snorkeling doesn't have to end at sunset. Night snorkeling is often times just as rewarding and fun as snorkeling during the daylight hours. The evening is when the reefs come alive, corals open up like flower gardens with shrimp scampering about them like honeybees. The night comes alive as the nocturnal marine life wakes up to pick up where the day shift reef inhabitants left off. Anybody who has snorkeled at night will tell you that it is a whole different world beneath the waves at night.

Snorkeling at night does require a little more planning and preparation than snorkeling during the daylight hours. It does require the use of a underwater flashlight which becomes a required piece of equipment rather than an optional piece. The dive light will not only bring back the colors but will also act as a signaling device as well as a communications device. Another piece of equipment needed is a whistle which acts as a signaling device.

When planning to snorkel at night one should always plan to do so in an area where they have snorkeled during the day. One reason for this is that you are already somewhat familiar with the site. Snorkeling alone at night is to be avoided for safety reasons. So make sure you have a snorkeling partner.

The aspects of snorkeling at night may be broken down into the following categories:

Preplanning could include, but is not limited to, snorkeling the site during the daylight to get the lay of the land. Take note of any prominent features that may be used as in water land marks. Examples could be unusual underwater topography such as an unusually shaped coral formation underwater or a particular building on land. Preplanning also includes letting someone know that you and your buddy are going out snorkeling. Where you are snorkeling and what time you expect to be out of the water. Make sure that you have all the required equipment as well as any incidentals that might be needed. Making sure that your equipment is is working condition should also be considered a part of preplanning.

An area orientation is gathering information about the site that you are planning to snorkel. If you already snorkeled the site during the day then you will probably already be aware of the underwater topography as well as the most suitable entry and exit locations. The best time to plan your night snorkeling adventure is during high slack tide which is the time frame between the end of high tide and the beginning of low tide. Newspapers in coastal communities often list the tide tables for a particular area. If you can't get the information from there then it is best to ask someone who would know such as any scuba facility in the area or (if where you are staying has one) a water sports coordinator at the hotel where you are staying. Don't be afraid to ask the hotel concierge or the front desk as they would be the best in directing you to the correct source for that information. Check the weather forecast and the conditions of the area where you plan on snorkeling.

Because night snorkeling is more of a specialty snorkeling experience, you will need to add a few more items to your snorkeling equipment bag. An underwater light is a requirement. The underwater light needs to be water proof and designed for in water activities. Each snorkeler needs to have their own light for both safety and enjoyment. A chemical light (where permitted) or a battery operated beacon light attached to the snorkel is highly recommended for above water visibility. Exposure protection such as skins or a light 3mm wetsuit is a practical addition as the water temperature at night will be a little cooler than it was during the daylight hours. It will also add a good measure of protection against accidental contact with marine life. A whistle, attached to your snorkeling vest, should be considered a standard piece of equipment whenever you are snorkeling.

Communications with shore, boat or buddy incorporate the use of the dive light. When communicating with your buddy using conventional one handed hand signals, you will need to shine your light on your hand as if someone were in front of you holding the light rather than illuminating the signal from your point of view. If your buddy is too far away to see the hand signals then you can draw a few with your light. Asking them if they are ok using your light is as simple as drawing the letter "O" using your dive light as the pen and the light beam as the ink. When drawing the “O”, it is important to exaggerate its size as if you were drawing it on a schoolroom chalk board. If you are giving the ok signal at the surface (to shore, buddy or boat) make sure that the "O" is drawn so that it is completely out of the water. A surface variation is to hold the light over your head pointing beam down so that you are illuminated. If you want to get your buddy’s attention (underwater) to show them something shine your light across their light beam in even back and forth motions. Do not shine a light in your buddy's eyes.

If an emergency occurs the whistle or light signals are used to communicate to your buddy, shore or boat personnel. If your light is working, a rapid back and forth horizontal light signal is used. If your light is unavailable then rapid blasts from your whistle are treated as an emergency situation.