A pivotal boat light moves between an open use position extending upwardly from the deck of a boat and a closed non-use position retracted below the deck of a boat. The light includes a base plate mounted within a hole in the deck, and a light insert pivotably mounted in the base plate for movement between the open and closed positions. A spring normally biases the light insert to the open position, while a pawl or lock member retains the light insert in the closed position.