NOTE: This event is closed for registrations as the pool session is mandatory to attend the ocean night dive. The registration function is still on for those volunteering as mentors or shore support. If you would like to volunteer, please contact training@unidive.org before registering.

Diving at night is one of the most exhilarating types of diving and opens up a completely different experience at familiar dive sites. As the sun sets, nocturnal marine life emerges from hiding, predators begin hunting, and bioluminescent organisms can often be seen glowing in the water.

This workshop introduces the skills and procedures needed to dive safely and confidently at night. You’ll learn how standard diving practices change in low light, including communication, navigation, and safety procedures such as the lost buddy procedure. We will also focus on light handling, situational awareness, and maintaining strong buoyancy control in reduced visibility.

Course Schedule

Pool Session
26 March | 6:00pm – late
Arrive at 6:00pm so we can be in the water by 7:00pm. This session will act as a check-out dive to ensure everyone is comfortable with buoyancy and control before the night dive. We will also practice key skills such as DSMB deployment.

Night Gear & Dive Briefing
Thursday 16 April | 6:00pm – late
We will run through the dive plan, navigation strategy, safety procedures, and expectations for the ocean dive as well as arrange carpooling. Those that need Unidive loan equipment may collect this from the loans volunteer. Please note that the cost of the loan gear for the ocean dive is not included in the workshop registration fee. 

Ocean Night Dive
Saturday 18 April
Final details will be confirmed during the briefing. High tide is 9:00pm, so this will be a late evening dive, with an expected return around midnight. We may organise a group dinner beforehand.

Mentors

New night divers will be paired with an experienced mentor during the ocean dive (approximately 3 new divers per mentor). Mentors will help guide the dive and support newer divers as they gain confidence in night diving.

All divers remain responsible for their own navigation, safety, and dive planning, but mentors are there to provide guidance, demonstrate key skills, and help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

Prerequisites & Readiness

To join this workshop, you must hold at least an Open Water Diver certification (or equivalent).

Although a night diving qualification is not required to participate, night diving is considered an advanced type of diving and is generally not suitable for divers straight out of their Open Water course.

Night diving is best suited to divers who feel comfortable and confident with daytime diving and have solid buoyancy control. You should feel relaxed underwater, with basic scuba skills and breathing underwater starting to feel like second nature. For some divers this may be after around 10 dives post-Open Water, while for others it may take closer to 50 dives.

Night diving also requires a higher level of independence and awareness. Divers should be confident managing their own buoyancy, navigation, and safety without relying on a paid guide or significantly more experienced buddy.

Key indicators of readiness include:

• Comfort & Experience: You are comfortable with core scuba skills and have some daylight diving experience.

• Buoyancy Control: You can maintain neutral buoyancy confidently to avoid damaging the reef or stirring up silt in low visibility.

• Mental Preparedness: You feel ready to manage the psychological challenge of diving in the dark, often described as the “fear of the unknown”.

Required Equipment 

Each diver must bring:

• DSMB and reel

• Cutting tool (knife or line cutter)

• Two dive torches (primary and backup)

• Mask, snorkel, and fins

• BCD, regs, and wetsuit (The cost to loan this equipment from the club is included for the pool night, as it’s an opening training night, but not for the ocean dive).