FREEPORT SCUBA FIELD GUIDE
Under the Full Moon at Stetson Bank: A night‑dive chase for Madracis coral spawn, morays and sharks
A focused scuba itinerary to Stetson Bank that centers on a full‑moon night dive to witness Madracis coral spawning and the bank’s famously sharky, eel‑filled pinnacles.
Under the Full Moon at Stetson Bank: A night‑dive chase for Madracis coral spawn, morays and sharks.
Stetson Bank rises as a salt dome to within 70 feet of the surface, its striated rock pinnacles and cooler waters creating an exposed, blue‑water environment where corals are sparse, predators are abundant and night dives become theater. This trip centers on those elements: world‑class diving on the Stetson pinnacles, an evening dive timed to the full moon to watch Madracis corals release gametes, and repeated opportunities to encounter moray eels and sharks that use the banks’ many cracks and ledges.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Full‑moon Madracis spawning — a night dive spectacle
The itinerary is timed to the full moon to catch Madracis corals releasing their gametes into the currents — a rare, bioluminescent‑tinged night spectacle and one of the trip’s prime attractions.
Sharky pinnacles and guaranteed morays
Stetson is famously sharky and a reliable place to find moray eels; the striated rocks provide hideouts and protection for a rich assemblage of animals — though note there is also a healthy population of fire coral.
A salt‑dome bank that reaches close to the surface
Geological uplift has pushed Stetson to within about 70 feet of the sea surface; slightly cooler water here means the coral cover differs from neighboring banks, leaving exposed rock and crevices where life concentrates and encounters are frequent.
What the day feels like
How the trip feels
This is a concentrated diving outing at a single, dramatic offshore feature: repeated dives at Stetson Bank — including a standout night dive timed for coral spawning — with abundant blue‑water life and close encounters around exposed rock pinnacles that make every descent feel purposeful and wildlife‑rich.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this trip suits — and who should think twice.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Bring all personal dive gear, weights, wetsuit, a primary dive light and a reliable back‑up light, tank light, surface marker buoy, a couple of towels, personal medications and sea‑sickness remedies, plus toiletries. Gratuities are not included; plan to tip the crew at trip’s end.
The operator provides AL 80 cf tanks and 27–32% Nitrox as well as meals and snacks; the package includes seven dives as outlined in the itinerary.
Expect an evening boarding on the first day, an early wake for morning dives, and return to Freeport in the late afternoon on the final day; follow the operator’s schedule for exact times.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How many dives are included?
Seven dives are included in the itinerary.
What is the minimum age to participate?
Divers must be at least 10 years old to join the trip.
Are meals provided on the trip?
All meals and snacks are included in the trip package.
What breathing gas options are available?
27–32% Nitrox is provided for diving.
What tanks are supplied?
AL 80 cubic‑foot tanks are supplied as part of the trip.
Are gratuities included in the booking?
No — gratuities are not included; the crew works for tips and guests are asked to remember them at the end of the trip.