Skills & Training
Night and limited visibility diving course: what you learn and who can join
A night diving course teaches you to dive in the dark and in poor visibility: using a torch, communicating with lights, staying close to your buddy and finding your way back. SSI Night & Limited Visibility is open from age 10 with Open Water Diver, has 2 open water sessions to a maximum of 30 m (lower junior limits) and suggests 5–10 hours. With us it usually runs over 2–3 evenings.
By 71 Guardians · Published 08 Nov 2026
Who can take a night diving course?
| SSI Night & Limited Visibility | SDI Night / Limited Visibility | PADI Night Diver | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certification needed | Open Water Diver | Open Water Scuba Diver, Junior Open Water or equivalent | We confirm the current PADI entry standard with you |
| Minimum age | 10 | Set by SDI; we confirm it with you | We confirm it with you |
| Training | 5 academic and 2 open water sessions, to 30 m, 5–10 hours | Night and low-visibility dives | Per PADI standards |
SSI's 30 m ceiling is reduced to 18 m for ages 12–14 and 12 m for ages 10–11. Your existing certification limits still apply.
What do you learn on a night diving course?
SSI lists entering and exiting the water, using specialised equipment and communicating with your buddy. In practice:
- handling a primary torch and a backup light
- light signals, and hand signals you can see in the torch beam
- staying in contact with your buddy when you can only see a few metres
- navigating back to the boat in the dark
- entries and exits from the boat at night
- using your torch without blinding other divers or disturbing marine life
Why dive at night in the Red Sea?
The reef changes after dark: many animals that hide during the day come out to hunt, and others sleep in the coral. Limited visibility skills also help on daytime dives when the water is murky or you dive inside the shade of a wreck. Our night diving tips cover what to expect on your first night dive.
How does the course run with us?
Usually over 2–3 evenings, with a maximum of 4 students per instructor. We plan the dives with you when you book, so they fit around your other dive days. Good buoyancy matters even more at night, when you can't see the bottom coming.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a course to go night diving?
Not always for a guided night dive, but the course teaches you to plan and make night dives yourself and to handle lights and signals properly.
What is the minimum age for SSI Night & Limited Visibility?
10, with Open Water Diver certification.
How deep are the training dives?
SSI lists a 30 m open-water ceiling, reduced to 18 m for ages 12–14 and 12 m for ages 10–11. Stay within your existing certification and experience limits; the specialty does not by itself grant a deeper certification.
Do I need my own torch?
No, ask us when you book and we arrange the lights for the course.
Questions before you dive with us?
Message our team on WhatsApp — we're divers in Hurghada and happy to help.
Chat with us on WhatsAppSources
- Night Diving and Limited Visibility — SSI (Scuba Schools International)
- Night/Limited Visibility Diver — SDI (Scuba Diving International)
- Night Diver course — PADI
- Training standards: junior and depth limits — SSI