Marine Ecology Experience - 2 Day & 1 Night Dive

No, this is an immersive learning experience. The official SSI Marine Ecology certification does not require diving, but this program allows you to apply marine ecology concepts in real-world conditions.

Yes, all scuba gear is provided, including BCD, regulator, wetsuit, mask, fins, snorkel, weights, and tanks.

No, as long as you have an Open Water Certification, you can participate in the night dive. A briefing and black lights will be provided.

The night dive typically lasts 45-60 minutes, depending on air consumption and conditions.

Yes, if you have a UV dive light, you’re welcome to bring it. However, black lights will be provided for all participants.

Yes, underwater photos are included at no extra cost.

No we don't, please have your own transportation from the shop to the dive site.

The underwater life here is nothing short of incredible. You might spot majestic sea turtles, nurse sharks resting under ledges, or eagle rays cruising by in the blue. The reefs are alive with parrotfish, angelfish, trumpetfish, spotted drum fish, and octopus hiding among coral heads and lava rock crevices. In the Isabela area, you’ll find unique topography like underwater caves and deep reef slopes—accessible during the right seasonal conditions.

Night diving in Aguadilla reveals a whole new cast of characters that typically remain hidden during the day. As the sun sets and the reef quiets down, nocturnal marine life emerges, creating an entirely different underwater experience.

Here are some of the fascinating creatures you might encounter:

• Octopuses – Masters of camouflage, these intelligent cephalopods come out to hunt at night. Watch them change color and texture as they stalk prey across the reef.
• Spiny lobsters – Often tucked into crevices by day, lobsters wander the reef after dark, their long antennae sweeping the sand for food.
• Moray eels – More active at night, eels emerge from their rocky dens to hunt and glide through the reef’s nooks and crannies.
• Stingrays – Southern stingrays and other species may be seen resting or slowly cruising along the sandy bottom.
• Bioluminescent plankton – Move your hand through the water and watch tiny particles light up like stars. This natural glow is one of night diving’s most magical features. Nurse sharks – These gentle bottom-dwellers are often spotted resting or foraging along the reef at night.
• Crabs and shrimp – Aguadilla’s reefs come alive with scuttling activity after dark as invertebrates emerge in search of food.
• Sleeping parrotfish – You may even spot parrotfish wrapped in mucus cocoons, their nighttime defense against predators.

Every night dive is different, and part of the magic is never knowing exactly what you’ll see. The experienced local guides know where to look and how to gently illuminate the reef without disturbing its natural rhythm.

Night diving offers a completely different underwater experience—even if you've dived the same site during the day, it will feel like an entirely new world at night. Here's what makes it so special:

• See rare marine life – Many creatures are strictly nocturnal, and you won’t encounter them during daylight hours. Night diving gives you the chance to witness octopuses hunting, lobsters roaming, and reef fish behaving in ways you’ve never seen before.
• Bioluminescence – One of the most unforgettable aspects of diving in Puerto Rico at night is the glowing plankton. Stir the water with your hand or fin, and it will light up like underwater fireflies—no flashlight required.
• Focus and calm – With a limited field of vision from your dive light, you become more tuned in to small details—like the movement of a shrimp or the shimmer of an eel’s skin. Many divers find night diving more meditative and immersive than daytime dives.
• Unique photography opportunities – For underwater photographers, night diving offers dramatic lighting and rare subjects that create striking images.
• Develops your diving skills – Night dives help improve buoyancy control, situational awareness, and dive planning. They’re a fun way to challenge yourself and grow as a diver.

In Aguadilla, the warm water, gentle shore entry, and calm conditions make it one of the best places in Puerto Rico to try night diving—especially at Crashboat Beach, where reef life thrives just a short swim from shore.

Diving in Puerto Rico is great year-round, with warm water and excellent visibility no matter the season. December to April typically offers the clearest visibility, while May to November brings warmer water temperatures, often reaching 84°F (29°C). There’s always amazing marine life to see, making any time a great time to dive!

Flying directly after scuba diving is incredibly dangerous and could result in a life-threatening illness called the Bends/Decompression Sickness. The Divers Alert Network (DAN) guidelines for flying after diving include:

• A single no-decompression dive, a minimum preflight surface or any driving to above 1000 ft (305 m) interval of 12 hours suggested.
• Multiple dives per day or multiple days of diving, a minimum preflight surface or any driving to above 1000ft (305m) interval of 18 hours is suggested.
• Dives requiring decompression stops are recommended to have longer than 18 hours.

Please discuss with your dive guide ahead of time what is suggested!

Any activity that brings you above 1000 ft (305 m) can trigger the Bends/Decompression Sickness. Please check your hike elevation to ensure that at no time you will be going up in elevation. If the hike does go to elevation, you must treat it like a preflight interval as listed above in the flying FAQ.

Common sunscreens contain chemicals that can harm coral reefs, as the particles are small enough to be absorbed by corals, causing toxicity and coral bleaching. Reef-friendly sunscreens are formulated without these harmful chemicals. Reef-SAFE sunscreens go a step further by using non-nano particles, which are too large for corals to ingest, helping to preserve marine ecosystems. 

Please avoid sunscreens with oxybenzone, octinoxate, and parabens. Consider wearing sun-protective clothing, like long-sleeve rash guards, as an alternative to sunscreen. If you choose a mineral-based sunscreen, ensure it is labeled ‘non-nano.’

You can dive with a beard or mustache but it can prevent a tight seal between the mask and your face, which may cause water to leak in. It is often recommended to shave at least your mustache before diving. If you’d prefer not to shave your mustache, please bring petroleum jelly or chapstick with you. If you coat your mustache in that chapstick or jelly, it may be able to seal and prevent water from getting in.

Glasses cannot be worn while diving, but contacts are perfectly fine and recommended for the best experience. Prescription masks are not available for rent, but you are welcome to bring your own.

Additionally, there is an automatic correction effect that occurs underwater due to light refraction, making things appear clearer, but contacts or a personal prescription mask will provide the best visibility.