Proper docking after sunset requires more than just a good spotlight. Underwater boat lights illuminate the water around your vessel, creating a safer environment by revealing pilings, dock lines, and potential hazards. They also add a stunning aesthetic, turning your boat into a beacon of color and attracting marine life for evening viewing.
Choosing the right light depends on your boat type, desired brightness, and installation preference. From simple strip kits to high-lumen professional fixtures, the market offers solutions for every need and budget. This roundup highlights eight of the best options available to enhance your nighttime boating experience.
Our Top Picks for Underwater Boat Lighting
- Partsam 4pcs 6″ Blue LED Utility Strip Lights
- Green Blob Outdoors Blue Pontoon Boat Deck Lighting Kit
- Jiawill 60W Surface Mount Underwater Boat Lights
- T-H Marine Underwater Boat Lights – Green
- Attwood Lightarmor Ultra-Bright 6-LED Underwater Light
- Hella Marine Apelo A2 Blue White Underwater Light
- Lumitec SeaBlaze X2 Underwater LED Light
- OceanLED X-Series 2 Underwater Light
Partsam 4pcs 6″ Blue LED Utility Strip Lights
This four-pack of slim LED strips offers a versatile and economical way to add functional lighting to various parts of your boat. Designed as utility lights, they are suitable for cockpit lighting, step illumination, or as subtle underwater markers. Their compact 6-inch profile allows for flexible placement where larger fixtures won’t fit.
Each light features a clear lens with blue illumination from 12 bright LEDs. The circuit board is sealed in epoxy, providing strong resistance against water, corrosion, and the constant vibration experienced on boats. The kit includes all necessary stainless steel screws and rubber gaskets for a secure, waterproof installation on a 12V system.
Green Blob Outdoors Blue Pontoon Boat Deck Lighting Kit
This comprehensive DIY kit is specifically tailored for pontoon boat owners looking to create a dramatic under-deck lighting effect. It provides everything needed for a full installation, making your pontoon stand out at the dock. The included red and green LED strips also allow for proper navigation light setup, adding to the kit’s value.
The core of the kit is two 5-meter rolls of extremely bright, IP68-rated LED strips. This rating confirms they are fully submersible and waterproof for reliable underwater use. The package is completed with a waterproof switch, power wire, installation channels, and all necessary connectors for a clean and professional-looking result.
Jiawill 60W Surface Mount Underwater Boat Lights
For those seeking powerful, single-point illumination, the Jiawill 60W light is a robust contender. Its housing is constructed from 316 marine-grade stainless steel, offering superior corrosion resistance in saltwater environments. The shatterproof polycarbonate lens adds durability against impacts.
This light integrates its driver internally, accepting a wide 9-32V DC range without needing an external box. This simplifies installation and reduces potential failure points. It also features over-temperature protection, safeguarding the electronics during extended use. Available in multiple colors, it uses high-performance Cree LEDs for intense, vibrant light output.
T-H Marine Underwater Boat Lights – Green
T-H Marine provides a reliable and straightforward surface-mount lighting solution. With six high-intensity LEDs producing 180 lumens, it creates a pleasant green glow that is effective for both aesthetics and practical area illumination around the boat. Its simple design makes it a popular choice for many boaters.
The housing is completely waterproof and rated for use both above and below the waterline. This versatility opens up numerous mounting possibilities, including on the transom, swim platform, hull, or within the cockpit. Its low power draw and easy installation process make it a good entry point for adding underwater lighting.
Attwood Lightarmor Ultra-Bright 6-LED Underwater Light
Attwood’s Lightarmor series is known for its rugged construction and powerful output. This model delivers an impressive 1,350 lumens from its six LEDs, generating a brilliant sapphire blue beam that cuts through the water with exceptional clarity. It’s designed for boaters who prioritize maximum brightness.
The “Lightarmor” name refers to its tough, fully-sealed housing that protects the waterproof electronics from the harsh marine environment. This high-output light is ideal for larger vessels or for anyone who wants to make a vivid statement and ensure their docking area is thoroughly illuminated.
Hella Marine Apelo A2 Blue White Underwater Light
Hella Marine brings its automotive lighting expertise to the water with the Apelo A2. This light produces a substantial 3000 lumens, making it one of the brightest options in this roundup. Its unique charcoal lens with edge lighting creates a distinctive and modern look.
The combination of blue and white LEDs offers a crisp, cool illumination that enhances visibility and adds a sophisticated touch to any boat’s profile. Built with Hella’s quality standards, it is designed for durable, long-term performance in marine applications, providing reliable light where it’s needed most.
Lumitec SeaBlaze X2 Underwater LED Light
The Lumitec SeaBlaze X2 is a premium choice recognized for its exceptional build quality and performance. Emitting a cool white light, it is engineered to provide excellent color rendering, making objects in the water appear more natural. This is particularly useful for divers or for simply appreciating the underwater environment.
Lumitec fixtures are known for their robust sealing and advanced thermal management, ensuring consistent output and long life. The SeaBlaze X2 is a favorite among professional boat builders and discerning boaters who are willing to invest in top-tier marine lighting for their vessel.
OceanLED X-Series 2 Underwater Light
For the ultimate in customizable ambiance, the OceanLED X-Series 2 offers full RGB color-changing capabilities. You can select from a spectrum of static colors or set it to a dynamic color-changing mode, allowing you to match the mood or occasion directly from a remote control.
OceanLED is a pioneer in underwater lighting, and the X-Series 2 represents their advanced technology with high output and superior reliability. This light is for the boater who views underwater lighting as a central feature for entertainment and personalization, wanting the ability to change its look at will.
How to Choose the Best Underwater Boat Lights for Docking
Picking the right underwater boat lights for docking isn’t just about brightness; it’s about finding a reliable tool that makes your life easier and safer on the water. I’ve installed and tested a lot of these over the years, and I can tell you that focusing on a few key features will save you money and headaches in the long run. Let’s talk about what really matters.
First, you need to decide on the type of light. LED is the only way to go now. They’re energy-efficient, last forever, and don’t heat up like old halogen bulbs. For docking, you want a good spread of light to illuminate the water around your boat, not just a piercing beam. Look for lights described as having a wide or multi-angle beam pattern. This helps you see pilings, docks, and anything in the water clearly when you’re maneuvering at night.
Next, consider brightness and color. Brightness is measured in lumens. For docking purposes, I find lights in the 1,000 to 3,000 lumens range per light are usually perfect. They provide plenty of visibility without being blinding to others. Color is a personal choice. Cool white (around 6,000K-7,000K) offers the best clarity and visibility, similar to daylight. Blue or green lights look amazing and attract fish, but they don’t illuminate objects as clearly for docking tasks. I usually recommend starting with white if your primary goal is functionality.
Construction and installation are huge. The housing must be solid corrosion-resistant metal, like 316-grade stainless steel or high-quality anodized aluminum. The lens should be thick, durable polycarbonate. Check the Ingress Protection (IP) rating; you want at least IP68, which means it’s fully dust-tight and can handle continuous submersion. Think about how you’ll wire them. Some lights require drilling a large hole for the cable (thru-hull), while others mount completely inside the hull (in-hull). Thru-hull lights are generally brighter but installation is more involved. In-hull lights are easier to install but can lose some light transmission through the hull.
Finally, don’t forget about the little things. Can you easily replace the LED module if it fails, or do you have to buy a whole new unit? Are the included seals and gaskets high-quality? A good warranty from a reputable brand is a sign of confidence. By weighing these factors—light type, brightness, build quality, and install method—you’ll be well on your way to choosing from the 8 best underwater boat lights for docking that perfectly fit your boat and your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How difficult is it to install underwater boat lights myself?
Installation difficulty really depends on the type of light and your comfort level with basic tools and wiring. In-hull lights are the simplest DIY project. They mount inside your boat’s hull with adhesive, so there’s no drilling through the hull. You just need to run wires to your power source. Thru-hull lights require drilling a large, precise hole in your boat’s hull below the waterline. This is a more permanent and high-stakes job. If you’re not 100% confident in sealing that hole perfectly, I strongly recommend hiring a professional marine technician. A leak is the last thing you want.
Can I use my underwater lights while the boat is moving?
You can, but you need to check your local regulations first. In many places, it’s illegal to have certain colored lights (especially blue and red) on while underway, as they can be confused with navigation or emergency service vessels. Even white lights can be distracting to other boaters at speed. Their primary design is for stationary use, like docking, swimming, or fishing at anchor. Running them while on plane can also put tremendous stress on the housing due to water pressure.
Do underwater lights drain my boat’s battery quickly?
Modern LED lights are incredibly efficient, so the drain is much less than you might think. For example, a set of two 10-watt LED lights drawing 20 watts total would take over 24 hours of continuous use to drain a typical 100Ah marine battery. For occasional docking and evening use at anchor, the impact is minimal. However, I always recommend connecting them to a dedicated circuit with a fuse and a switch, so you have full control and can easily turn them off when not needed.
What is the difference between a “spreader” light and a “docking” light?
This is a common point of confusion. Spreader lights are mounted up high on your boat’s T-top or towers and cast light down onto your deck and the surrounding water from above. They’re great for general area lighting. True underwater docking lights are mounted on the transom or hull below the waterline. They illuminate the water from within, which drastically reduces surface glare and allows you to see into the water with much better clarity. This is key for spotting obstacles, dock pilings, and wildlife right around your boat.
How long do quality underwater LED lights typically last?
A well-made LED light from a reputable brand should last for thousands of hours. We’re often talking about 30,000 to 50,000 hours of rated life. In practical terms, if you used them for 5 hours every single night, they could theoretically last for over 15 years. The failure point is rarely the LED diode itself. More often, issues arise from seal failure (leading to water intrusion), corrosion on the housing or connectors, or problems with the power supply. This is why build quality and proper installation are so critical for longevity.