Underwater Pumpkin Carving Tips, Tricks & Treats

Halloween is creeping up and it’s time for scuba divers to prepare for underwater pumpkin carving! Carving underwater is a unique challenge for all levels of divers, plus it’s a spooktacular way to celebrate Halloween.  

Here are some tips and tricks to make the carving process a bit sweeter. 

Pumpkin Prep Tips

Gut Your Pumpkins the Night Before:

To save time and avoid the mess on the day of your dive, gut your pumpkin the night before. Removing the seeds and stringy bits ahead of time makes the pumpkin easier to handle underwater and helps with post-dive clean-up. The cleaner your pumpkin, the smoother your carving will go!

Outline Your Design:

Underwater visibility can make fine details tricky, so use a black marker to sketch out your design before submerging. These colors are easier to see underwater, giving you a clear guide to follow while you carve. Remember: carving underwater comes with its own challenges, so having a pre-drawn outline will help keep things on track. 

Designs for Divers:

Whether it’s your first underwater pumpkin carving dive or you’re a seasoned pro, there’s a design style for everyone. 

Veterans: Challenge Yourself

If you’re a seasoned underwater pumpkin carver, challenge yourself and take your carving to the next level! This year, try a more detailed design or consider using things like sticks or seaweed to give your pumpkin a wacky hairstyle.

Need design ideas? View the photo gallery at the end of this blog to see some amazing pumpkins carved by divers in our Diventures scuba community.

Dive Day Tricks

Bring Extra Dive Weights:

Without the right weight, your pumpkin might float away mid-carve. Place a dive weight or two inside your pumpkin to keep it grounded and stop it from drifting toward the surface. This simple trick helps keep your pumpkin stable so you can focus on your masterpiece! 

Leave the Top on Land:

When you’re ready to dive, leave the top of your pumpkin on shore. It’s lightweight and can easily float away, adding unnecessary hassle to your dive. Plus, you’ll be able to reseal your pumpkin on dry land once it’s all carved! 

Pumpkin Carving Tools:

Dive knives are great for cutting through tangled lines and other underwater tasks, but they’re not ideal for pumpkin carving. Instead, bring along a set of pumpkin carving tools. They’re smaller, safer, and designed for precision when working with pumpkins—perfect for creating those spooky jack-o’-lantern faces! 

Bring a Dive Light:

After you’ve finished carving, shine your dive light inside the pumpkin to make your design glow beneath the surface. Whether you’re diving in low vis or wanting to capture the perfect photo of your masterpiece, a dive light will make your pumpkin shine bright.

Cut Slow and Steady:

When it comes to carving your pumpkin underwater, slow and steady wins the race. Take your time with each cut to ensure safety and accuracy. Carefully plan your cuts to avoid accidents with sharp tools. Safety comes first, and by going at a steady pace, you’ll create a better final product and enjoy the process more. Remember, once you cut off a section, it will float to the surface.

Additional Treats

Costumes are Encouraged:

Why stop at just the pumpkins? Costumes add a lot of fun to your dive, and they’ll make for some great post-dive photos! Head to a thrift store and find some creative costume pieces that you can modify to wear with your dive gear. We suggest onesies because they can easily fit over a wetsuit. 

Meet New Dive Buddies:

We understand that making new dive friends can be scary for some, but dive events like this can provide an opportunity to face your fears. This Halloween season, we challenge you to strike up a conversation with someone you’ve never dived with before. Whether you’re sharing carving tips, spooky snacks, or just a laugh, you might just end up with a new pumpkin pal for your next dive adventure! 

Photo Gallery

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