Night Dives in Bahía Solano: Experience the Pacific After Dark
When the sun sets over the Chocó jungle, a completely different ocean wakes up. For certified scuba divers, a night dive in Bahía Solano is a mesmerizing, mandatory experience. The wild Pacific coast of Colombia takes on a completely new rhythm in the dark. With a narrow beam of light guiding your way, your focus narrows, your breathing slows, and the vibrant colors of the volcanic reef pop in ways you simply cannot see during the day.
Make the Ocean Your Story
From darkness comes light—experience the magic of the Pacific after sunset.
What Is A Night Dive?
Our Scuba Night Dives are specialized, single-tank boat excursions conducted just after sunset. We visit familiar rocky reefs that you may have explored during the day, but the cast of characters has entirely changed. Guided by our expert SSI professionals, you will safely navigate the calmest local coves, searching for nocturnal marine life in small, tightly managed groups to guarantee absolute safety and comfort in the dark.
What you’ll do (step‑by‑step)
- Meet & Welcome (6:00 PM): Arrive at the Ankla Azul dive center as the sun goes down. We will brief you on night diving protocols, hand signals using dive lights, and the specific nocturnal creatures we are targeting.
- The Sunset Boat Ride: Enjoy a serene boat ride out to the dive site under the twilight sky, watching the stars emerge over the pristine Chocó coastline.
- The Guided Dive: Roll backward into the dark Pacific. You will follow your SSI guide closely, using your provided primary torch to illuminate sleeping turtles, hunting rays, and colorful reef structures.
- The Bioluminescence Check: Halfway through the dive, we will safely cover our lights to experience the absolute magic of glowing, bio-reactive plankton swirling around us.
- Log & Share: Head back to the dive shop for a warm drink, log your incredible night dive, and identify the bizarre new creatures you found.
Who it’s for (requirements)
Certification Prerequisites: Must hold an Advanced Open Water Diver certification OR a Night Diving Specialty certification from a recognized agency.
Age: Minimum 12 years old.
Comfort Level: You should have good buoyancy control and feel completely comfortable in the water, as the lack of ambient light requires a calm, focused mindset.
Medical Clearance: You must be in good physical health and complete a standard medical questionnaire prior to diving.
Never dived at night? If you are Open Water certified but have never done a night dive, ask us about the Night Diving Specialty course to do this dive with an instructor as a training dive!
Price & booking
Departures: 6:00 PM (Subject to weather and ocean conditions) Options: Single Tank Night Dive (or added to the Day & Night Combo)
Boat Transport – Ride under the stars to the dive site.
Expert Local Guide (SSI Pro) – We know where the nocturnal critters hide.
Full Rental Gear – XDEEP Backplates, Regulator, Wetsuit, Fins, Mask & SMB included.
Primary Dive Light – High-power torch included.
Dive Insurance – Included for your peace of mind.
Ankla Azul Sticker – A keepsake from your adventure.
What’s included
One Dive
One Night
410.000 COP
Combo Dives
One Day & Night
690.000 COP
Next level:
Stress & Rescue
You've mastered diving in the dark—now take your confidence to the highest level. The SSI Stress & Rescue course teaches you to prevent problems before they happen and manage emergencies in any condition. It’s the most rewarding course you’ll ever take.
Frequently asked questions
Is it scary?
Not at all! The water is very calm, and our powerful dive lights make it feel like you are exploring a spotlighted aquarium. Your guide is always right next to you.
Do I need to bring a light?
No, we provide a primary dive light. If you have your own backup light, feel free to bring it!
What happens if my light goes out?
Don't worry. Your guide carries a backup light, and we dive in a group so you are never left in the dark.
Can I take photos?
Yes, but focusing at night can be tricky. We recommend bringing a focus light if you have a camera rig.
Do we see sharks?
Often! Whitetip reef sharks are more active at night and you might see them hunting along the bottom.
What Divers Say
400+ Reviews
Vinha Damanta
"I did 3 dives with the guys from Ankla Azul and all three were great... The diveshop gives much attention to safety and following the right procedures which gives you a very safe feeling. They have excellent gear almost new do they kit you out like a pro."
Magda K
"The dive center impressed us a lot – the equipment was top quality, making every dive comfortable and safe... Besides scuba diving, we had the chance to try freediving, which at the waterfall was an absolutely unique experience."
Nicole Reynolds
"I spent three days with the Ankla Azul team for scuba diving and it was an incredible experience... Ja, the main dive master and instructor, takes pride in his diving excursions and it's clear he has a huge love for Bahia Solano and the wildlife here."
Gloria Guillin Cuello
"This time, I did my first dive with Ankla Azul and three other friends. The experience was spectacular, from the beginning of the training to the practice session. Our instructor demonstrated kindness and knowledge, providing us with a safe guide."
Adèle B
Absolutely amazing experience! The dive was unforgettable, we could hear the whales singing underwater the entire time... The team at Ankla Azul is super professional, the equipment is top quality, and everything felt very safe and well-organized."
Dayana Jamaica
Excelente experiencia, Andres y Victor son unos duros, muy amables, atentos, cuidadosos, nos hicieron sentir seguras todo el tiempo y disfrutar del buceo aun nosotras sin saber nada, la pasamos muy bien, 100% recomendado
Need Help Booking Your Dive?
It’s normal to have questions before your trip. Here’s what we can help with:
Medical Questions: Not sure if a specific condition affects diving?
Scheduling: Want to check availability for specific dates?
Custom Trips: Diving with a large group?
Don't guess—just ask. Send us a message, and our instructors will put your mind at ease.
More Than Kicking Your Fins
At Ankla Azul, diving is more than kicking your fins. It's patient teaching, sharp safety, and real care for the place we call home. As an SSI Instructor Training Center and an SSI Blue Oceans Center (2025 award), we blend skill-building with ocean awareness—Fish ID, coral nursery work, community education, and rescue support—so every dive grows confidence and respect for Bahía Solano's wild Pacific.