Blackwater dives take place in the dark of night. Diving photojournalist Doug Perrine took these incredible images during a dive off Kailua Kona on the coast of Hawaii's "big island."
Underwater 'Twilight Zone' —
Blackwater dives take place in the dark of night. Diving photojournalist Doug Perrine took these incredible images during a dive off Kailua Kona on the coast of Hawaii's "big island."
Doug Perrine
"There's something really special about being out there and knowing that there's a whole world of animals below you that nobody's ever seen," says diving expert Jeff Milisen.
Unseen animals —
"There's something really special about being out there and knowing that there's a whole world of animals below you that nobody's ever seen," says diving expert Jeff Milisen.
Doug Perrine
"This is the world's largest migration," says marine biologist Sarah Matye, "and it happens every night. These animals are coming up from the mesopelagic zone."
Mesopelagic zone —
"This is the world's largest migration," says marine biologist Sarah Matye, "and it happens every night. These animals are coming up from the mesopelagic zone."
Doug Perrine
Jeff Milisen says the appeal for some is the dives' "Star Trek" aspect. "For others, it's the phenomenal feeling of discovery and exploration."
Sci-fi scenes —
Jeff Milisen says the appeal for some is the dives' "Star Trek" aspect. "For others, it's the phenomenal feeling of discovery and exploration."
Doug Perrine
"This is the most unique dive you will ever do," Sarah Matye says. "Often times we are seeing things that are totally new to science."
Unique experience —
"This is the most unique dive you will ever do," Sarah Matye says. "Often times we are seeing things that are totally new to science."
Doug Perrine
Matye and Milisen are in constant communication with scientists who study the sorts of gelatinous plankton, juvenile fish and invertebrates that float about in Kona's surface waters at night.
Gelatinous —
Matye and Milisen are in constant communication with scientists who study the sorts of gelatinous plankton, juvenile fish and invertebrates that float about in Kona's surface waters at night.
Doug Perrine
Mayte and Milisen say they've photographed and collected several species that have never been recorded before.
New finds —
Mayte and Milisen say they've photographed and collected several species that have never been recorded before.
Doug Perrine
Vacationing divers pay top dollar for the night dives -- between $150 to $200 per dive.
Exclusive excursions —
Vacationing divers pay top dollar for the night dives -- between $150 to $200 per dive.
Doug Perrine
Off Kailua Kona, the dives involve trips out into the deep ocean. Divers are shackled to a free-drifting boat for safety.
Deep ocean —
Off Kailua Kona, the dives involve trips out into the deep ocean. Divers are shackled to a free-drifting boat for safety.
Doug Perrine
For divers, the blackwater experience can be one of traveling through a limitless cosmos, as miniature moons, galaxies, and alien creatures drift past.
Sub aquatic cosmos —
For divers, the blackwater experience can be one of traveling through a limitless cosmos, as miniature moons, galaxies, and alien creatures drift past.
Doug Perrine