Best Night Dive Ever

Dive 1 - Okinawa Dusk Dive 

Our adventure began with a breathtaking dive to the Okinawa Wreck, a 107-foot-long Army tug resting peacefully at 75 feet below the surface. Sunk on August 19, 2017, this vessel marks the 18th addition to the underwater museum of Shipwreck Park in Pompano Beach. As we descended, two Goliath groupers emerged from the shadows to greet us. The wreck was teeming with life—schools of vibrant fish darted around us and at the deepest point of the wreck we spotted the Florida Regal Sea Goddess nudibranch clinging to the propeller blade near the sand. We found a spotted moray eel free swimming around the outside of the wreck. Inside the wreck we found two large hermit crabs, while the wheelhouse was encrusted with orange cup corals making a brilliant display as the corals opened up like beautiful flowers as night fell. Doing this dive at sunset allowed us to enjoy the sunlight during the first part of the dive and the darkness at the end. South Florida Diving Headquarters and Black Pearl, delivered a great adventure, but the best was yet to come. 

Lucky night divers and octopus spotters (from left) John Davis, Stephen Pie, Rachel Davis, Angelica Cookson, Sheila Schlafly, Hilda Balbi, Rudy Lopez. 

Dive 2: Touchdown Reef

With warm waters at 86°F, crystal-clear visibility, and no current to speak of, conditions were perfect for a magical night dive. As we glided northward, our dive lights revealed a dreamscape of sleepy fish and curious puffers. Then, under Rudy Lopez’s beam, the first octopus appeared—graceful and mesmerizing, shifting colors and shapes to artfully mimic whatever it was next to. But the ocean had more in store: not one, but three octopuses danced for us in the dark, showing themselves as the wonderful creatures they are. We also encountered the mighty channel clinging crab—the largest native crab species in the Atlantic—and several lobsters, including one impressive female brimming with eggs. After 50 minutes of awe and wonder, we surfaced with hearts full of gratitude for an amazing dive.