Helicopter over water flight at night.

[HVHmt]

VFR at night over water, first thing on my mind is how many lights (boats) out there, because preception would be a factor. Unlike night VFR over a built up area the ocean, desert and arctic can play with some very serious illusions if one has not had the necessary experience and training, not to mention proper equipment.
I am a firm believer that a well almost anyone can fly over water (or any other dark, "black hole" area (VFR flying farmers have been flying over unlight dark prairies for years), to operate (take off, land) is a different story especially if it is a small limited lighted pad.