What type of lighting is best to avoid startling marine life?

Using low-area illumination lights is ideal for minimizing disturbances to marine life during night dives. These lights provide a soft, diffused glow that gently illuminates the surroundings without creating harsh or intense lighting conditions. This type of lighting allows divers to see their environment adequately while maintaining a lower profile, thus reducing the likelihood of startling or scaring marine creatures.

In contrast, high-beam spotlights can produce an intense and focused beam, which can be overwhelming or alarming to marine animals. Flashing strobe lights may create erratic patterns that can stress out marine life or confuse them, while colorful ambient lights, although visually appealing, may not always be suitable for certain species that are sensitive to light changes. Together, this makes low-area illumination lights the best option for a more respectful interaction with the underwater ecosystem during night dives.