NIGHT DIVE

After talking to some of the locals of Bonaire about night diving we decided to be a bit daring and go for it. Calvin and I were told about what the experience would be like and it definitely wasn't something a lot of people are craving to do but we thought the thrill of diving complete darkness with nothing but eachother, a small flashlight and and invisible sea life would definietly be an thrilling experience. We decided to take the plunge. It was 9pm and the only light to be seen was that of the moon and the glow from the dive shop on another dock. The air and water were both warm, meaning that we could simply jump in with our swimsuits. Without turning on the dive light, there was only inky black surrounding us. Turning on the light, all we could see was a narrow beam of light and a small area illuminated on the sandy bottom and occasional fish caught in the light's beam. The fish to be seen at night were quite different than those we had seen earlier in the day. There were many schools of smaller fish near the surface, some silver, others blue. When these ones were caught in the light, they would zigzag towards the beam, eventually hitting the front lens of the light. Moving on to the open, with deeper waters, we tried looking for other varities and were told to be aware of VERY large fish. It was very disconcerting having only a small beam of light to expose whatever lay in any direction. In fact it was somewhat uncomfortable scannning the light an offshore direction, where obviously deeper waters and larger fish no doubt lay. After Calvin's previous experience in the daytime with a large barracuda, we weren't keen on attracting any of them any more. Having heard that there are bigger fish that will eat other fish when illuminated, we decided to give it a try. Floating near an area sprinkled with smaller fish, Calvin and I quietly sat and directed the light on a medium-sized white fish. This area was a little murkier from sand or silt that had been stirred up, and it was harder to see much further than about twenty feet. Not believing the stories about the big fish, we impatiently sat, wondering if illuminating the fish was going unnoticed. Just then, out of the light's periphery, a huge beast of a fish circled by. This fish was likely 6ft long! As we shone the light towards the beast, it arched and finned into the darkness. Panning the light around, we couldn't see anything. Both Calvin and I (well especially me) made some noises through our snorkels in utter disbelief and horror. It was an extremely unnerving feeling to know that something so large was just beside us somewhere. With our arms clutching eachother, we again started to pan the light on an innocent fish. Waiting a few seconds more, we see the large silvery tarpon slither towards us from the darkness. Praying that this tarpon was only interested in the smaller fish, we quickly tried finding the smaller fish to offer, but we had lost it in watching the beast. Whenever we weren't supplying the BIG fish with small fish (using our light) we'd be confronted. The massive fish would bash into us until we shon our light on some bait for it to devour. I felt sorry in some ways for the poor innocent little fish that was just about to be swallowed but when something out of the darkness knocks into you don't feel so bad anymore. Calvin and I let ourselves go out pretty far and I was not looking forward to the swim back. If Calvin let go of my hand for even half a second I would freak out. It was quite the night!

Check out some small clips below!