Best Urban Night Dives

Even city slickers can get excited about diving in these destinations. Explore Seattle by day and dive Pugent Sound by night? We're in!

Seattle, Washington

Seattle, Washington

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With the skyline of Seattle glowing in the background, divers doing it in the dark in Washington’s Pugent Sound will find amazing nightlife just offshore from hot spots such as Alki Beach. After the sun sets below the Pacific, giant Pacific octopuses leave their lairs to hunt in the open. Playful harbor seals become active at night and have been known to shadow divers, spotting prey illuminated by their dive lights. And for those with a keen eye, macro creatures, including nudibranchs and anemones, can be found in a variety of brilliant colors. “On almost every night dive, I am hoping see a GPO (local slang for Pacific Octopus) out feeding,” says Annie Crawley, local underwater photographer and ocean activist. “Here in the Pugent Sound during the summer months, when the bioluminescence is at its peak, I can stay underwater with my lights off and just dream of being in outer space.” And the best part: Apres-dive bars and restaurants in which to share your finds are just a short drive away in the vibrant Emerald City.

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Honolulu, Hawaii

Waikiki Beach, Honolulu

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With a variety of high-quality artificial reefs in sight of the bustle of Waikiki Beach, there are as many opportunities for awesome night diving as there are for tasty mai tais afterward.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

The Gulf Stream flows close to this vibrant section of South Florida, bringing with it a steady flow of warm, nutrient-rich water to the delight of giant sponges, goliath grouper, a variety of sharks and heaps of other marine life.

San Diego, California

San Diego, California

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Off the coast of sunny Southern California, divers can find easy access from the shore to the towering kelp forests populated by brilliant orange garibaldi and playful pinnipeds, not to mention proximity to one of the best artificial reefs in America: Yukon.