Overview
Go Key West night diving and experience nightime on the coral reef on a Key West Scuba Diving 1-Tank Key West Night SCUBA Dive. A shallow, easy night dive takes you into a strange and wonderful world where huge numbers of creatures never seen by day freely roam the nighttime waters of Key West.
Highlights
- Comfortable shallow 1-tank dive with an expert dive master
- Explore America’s only living coral reef at night
- See many types of nocturnal marine life
- Cruise the twilight waters aboard the 50' Phoenix high-speed custom dive boat
- Enjoy free dive lights, clean restrooms, and fresh water showers
Description
Key West Scuba Diving invites all divers who are Open Water Certified and above to enjoy a spectacular night dive on the Florida Coral Reef. It is a beautiful time of day for a scenic cruise offshore. You can relax in the balmy twilight air and watch the sunset colors light up the sky as you leave port aboard the dive boat M/V Phoenix.
The Phoenix is a spacious modern vessel with an expert dive boat captain at the helm. There is plenty of room to get geared-up, and the experienced dive support crew is on hand to help all divers get ready to step off the large swim platform into the darkening water. We descend with the sun so you can experience the transition to full dark below the surface.
Key West night diving takes you into a completely different world than what you will experience on a daytime dive trip. Most of the billions of tiny creatures that make up the coral reef are active at night. Corals that appear to be lifeless stones by day and various species of marine worms that live in stony tubes and hard shells suddenly sprout fantastically-shaped and wildly-varied fronds and feathers.
A surprising number of the crabs, shrimp, and other small creatures on the reef show off patches and patterns of glowing light on their bodies. This bioluminescence is everywhere, especially during the summer months, as a variety of creatures from tiny shrimp and worms to larger animals like cuttlefish and squid use chemical reactions to generate light in amazing colors and patterns.
On the bottom, biofluorescent corals give off “glow in the dark” greens, reds, and purples against the black water as they absorb your dive light and reflect back bright high-wavelength light. In some seasons, the water itself lights up as tiny plankton leave glowing trails around any object that disturbs the water. A flip of hand or fin produces incredible bursts and swirls of electric blue light.
Tiny fish often swarm like insects around the dive lights, lobsters and crabs venture out from their deep crevices, and many larger fish that you would never spot in the daytime move around fearlessly. Turtles rest on the bottom and also seem to be unconcerned with nearby divers.
No matter how many night dives you go on, each one is always a unique and unforgettable experience. If you have never been on a night dive before, it is a must-do trip, and Key West is the perfect place to enjoy a first night dive.
Awesome Key West night diving is at your fingertips right here at Key West Scuba Diving. Our convenient, secure online booking system lets you reserve a spot on the boat and get all the detailed trip information you need delivered instantly. Join us today on an amazing Key West night diving trip!
What's Included
- 1-tank reef drive
- Dive lights
- Fresh water showers
- Food and drinks (feel free to bring your own)
- Gratuities
What To Expect
The coral reef transforms at night, revealing a vibrant ecosystem in motion. Parrotfish retreat into their protective cocoons, brittle stars and lobsters emerge, squid glide through the water, and an array of nocturnal marine life comes alive.
1-Tank Dive
Night dives are scheduled every Wednesday and Saturday, with check-in times varying according to sunset. These are one-tank dives, and dive lights are provided. For the best experience, we recommend using a guide. Dive Lights Included • Guide Available
Western Dry Rocks
Explore North America’s only living coral reef, “Western Dry Rocks,” a thriving and diverse ecosystem home to colorful tropical fish, rays, sea turtles, and an array of coral species. Each day, the Captain carefully selects the ideal reef location based on current conditions to ensure optimal visibility and the best possible sea state for your dive.
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for travelers with heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Vessel has a toilet
- Near public transportation
- Paid parking nearby
- Travelers should have a moderate fitness level
- What to bringCamera, comfortable shoes, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, swimwear, towel, food and drinks, and a smile!
- This dive will have a maximum of 12 divers
Frequently Asked Questions
(13)Q: What is the maximum boat capacity?
A: Our boats are licensed for 25 but typically accommodate a maximum of 14 divers per trip, ensuring a comfortable and personalized experience. Read more Oct 2021
Additional Info
Similar Scuba Dives

Key West Morning 2-Tank Vandenberg Wreck SCUBA Dive
$99

Key West Afternoon 2-Tank Reef Scuba Dive
$99

Key West Scuba Diving Refresher Course & Dive
$225
Divers Who Booked This Key West Scuba Dive Also Booked

Key West Dive in a Day PADI® Discover Scuba Resort Course
$229

Key West Afternoon 2-Tank Reef Scuba Dive
$99

Key West Morning 2-Tank Vandenberg Wreck SCUBA Dive
$99

Key West Scuba Diving Refresher Course & Dive
$225