Gold Coast Seaway is after dark underwater wonderland for divers

PLUNGING into the otherworldly darkness of the Gold Coast Seaway at night reveals an abundance of marine life not visible during daylight hours.

An eel in the Seaway at night. Photo: C Level Media

PLUNGING into the otherworldly darkness of the Gold Coast Seaway at night reveals an abundance of marine life not visible during daylight hours.

With so many creatures to be spotted, night diving is becoming increasingly pop-ular, according to former navy clearance diver and owner of Gold Coast Divers David Wyatt.

When an incoming high tide created safe conditions at the Seaway for night dives Mr Wyatt said he had to turn away people who had travelled from as far as the Sunshine Coast.

A flatworm in the Seaway at night. Photo: C Level Media

“I won’t take more than 14 people to keep it safe,” Mr Wyatt said.

“At the weekend we had a 12-year-old come along with us. All the marine life tends to come alive at night.

“During the day you lose a lot of colour, so when we go down at night with torches it’s really spectacular,” said the Gold Coaster who served in South-East Asia among other places.

Gold Coast divers enjoying the underwater world at the newly upgraded Seaway area named Moondarewa. Picture: Loren Mathew Mariani

He said at night the schools of trevally, dolphins, rays and all manner of odd marine invertebrates became bolder.

“They don’t seem as timid at night,” he said.

A pipefish in the Seaway at night. Photo: C Level Media

Mr Wyatt, a former Sydney-based clearance diver who learnt to dive without the use of a torch, said it was surprising how much the moon and city lights illuminated the underwater world.

“Because we were doing tactical stuff, we couldn’t give away our position by using a torch,” he said.

“You would be surprised how much light makes it through the water.

A turle in the Seaway at night. Photo: C Level Media

“On the west bank (at The Spit) the city lights help with the visibility as well – it’s a nice, safe dive.”

Underwater photographer Loren Mariani said although it could be a little nerve-racking it was worth taking the plunge.

Pods of dolphins came in to feed on the bait fish attracted by the torches, Mr Mariani said.

A squid gets up close and personal with divers in the Seaway. Photo: C Level Media

“We don’t like to talk about sharks because it can scare people away but we have seen schools of smaller spinner sharks,” he said.

The Seaway at night. Photo: C Level Media