A freediver has shared some of his most exhilarating encounters during recent night dives off the coast of Falmouth.
“It’s a whole different world down there at night,” says wildlife filmmaker and ecologist Adam Radage on Instagram. “Lately, night diving has been stealing the top spot as my favourite time to free dive.”
Radage freedives regularly in Falmouth Bay during the daytime but this summer he was won over by “the thrill of diving at night,” he tells BBC Countryfile.
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Night diving isn’t for everyone. For a start, getting into the water while it’s still dark involves a very early wake up time. “Dragging yourself out of bed at 3am to squeeze into an already cold and damp wetsuit is not the most inviting of activities,” he says.
But, for Radage, the chance to see animals acting totally differently than they do in the daytime – and even spot new species he’s spent hours scouring the seabed for – is worth it. “Much like the land, the sea has its own cast of nocturnal characters, and some of them are among the most fascinating creatures I’ve ever encountered,” he says.
Among his favourites to see are cephalopods (octopus, squid and cuttlefish). “Cuttlefish, often shy and tucked away during the day, boldly patrol the kelp at night in search of prey,” he says. “European squid, which usually remain in deep waters beyond 50 metres, rise into the shallows to hunt in the kelp, occasionally investigating our torches with curiosity. Bobtail squid were also out in force – tiny and endearing but full of attitude.”
He also saw several juvenile blonde rays, which he’d never managed to see during the daytime.
Of all the critters he met during his witching hour adventures, his favourite to see is the John Dory fish. “We watched one individual pursue sand eels just metres from the beach, striking so fast that the only trace of success was an explosion of fish scales shimmering in our torchlight,” he recalls.
Night diving is both eerie and exciting, Radage says: “You never quite knew what was going to come out the gloomy depths to greet you.”
It’s also incredibly important to take safety precautions, including never diving alone. Experiencing the spooky but spectacular waters with his friends, Gio Prince and Jacob Rheams, made the experience even more special, he says, crediting the camaraderie of his dive buddies with giving him “courage to brave the dark waters.”
As winter draws in, Radage hopes to enjoy more night dives with his friends – and perhaps see even more new species.
Image and video credit: Adam Radage / @adamradage_wild
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