USVI-On-Line

The date...Monday night,23rd of July.The place...Hawksnest. As I entered the water and began to follow this shallow reef I began to think "What is it about visiting such a place at night?" And then it came to me... a haunted house! Yes, it's like visiting one! Dark,eerie,and unsure of what lies ahead. But really there's nothing for me to fear. I had a lantern on shore, my dive light in hand,and a good idea of how the reef was laid out. The sound of a night snorkel is that of being in a large bowl of Rice Krispies! You can hear the snapping sounds over and over. {Later I would discover it was that of snapping shrimp.} They had red bodies and once you put a beam of light on them their eyes glowed red! I continued, and came across a large sea slug. Shortly after, a small octopus came in to view. The creature was not pleased with the light and soon reteated under a rock. I moved on to a brittle sea star under a rock. The size may have been around 5". The hairy legs reminded me of my wife when she can't find her razor At the end of my visit, one more octopus showed up. The turquoise body soon changed to brown as it swam from one rock to another.Cool! As I left the underwater world, I walked to the jeep pleased with my discoveries. Parafins..

Ya, Hawksnest is a good night snorkel spot. I'd like to give Frank Bay a try. I want to try to fit this in on our Halloween trip.

When we used to stay at Sunset Beach on Devers Bay that was a great night snorkel. Having a house on the beach was fun. We could watch folks from the house; whenever there was something interesting all of the lights pointed at the same spot.

Cheers, RickG

Great reports parafins! What a cool experience. I'm afraid I'm too big of a chicken sh*t to ever try the night snorkeling. I like to hear about it though!

RickG wrote:Ya, Hawksnest is a good night snorkel spot. I'd like to give Frank Bay a try. I want to try to fit this in on our Halloween trip.

When we used to stay at Sunset Beach on Devers Bay that was a great night snorkel. Having a house on the beach was fun. We could watch folks from the house; whenever there was something interesting all of the lights pointed at the same spot.

Cheers, RickG

I'm looking for partner for a night snorkel on those days too Rick....we should talk.

That is so cool!

Enjoyed your reports. Two octopus - that is cool!

Rhonda

I think I would be too chicken to do a night snorkel.

It does sound like you see some amazing things though!

Very neat. I am going to do a night snorkel next trip for sure, maybe Frank Bay since we are staying at Gallows. I think getting into the water at Gallows would be too tricky in the dark.

MrB wrote: I'm looking for partner for a night snorkel on those days too Rick....we should talk.

MrB,

We'll be on STJ some of the same days as you I believe (but will have departed by the time Rick arrives).

I may be available to do a night snorkel with you. I don't know if Leslie would want to do that or not - if not maybe she and MrsB could practice mixing drinks while we snorkel!

Thanks for the snorkeling reports. I sounds very cool. I can imagine that you can see a lot of interesting things at night.

Like some of the others, I think I would feel a bit uncomfortable snorkeling at night. But I do consider trying night diving some time.

If Frank Bay is tricky try Hawksnest or Maho.I followed the edge of the reef with sand below me in case I needed a break and to avoid running into the reef.At Maho I came across the turtle in the sandy area.As for the rest of you take a fellow snorkeler with you.Then it won't be so scary Parafins...........P.S. don't forget your dive light!!

Here is my second report from last year for you future "night snorkelers"Parafins

Thanks Parafins - were there more reports?

Thanks Parafins for bringing back these reports. I have always wanted to try night snorkeling, but I'm too chicken to go alone...perhaps I can tag along with those going end of Oct/early Nov?? I think I would love it!

Here's the second installment! Parafins