Here we present field observations of light measurements under sea ice in the central Arctic Ocean during summer 2011. Spectral radiation measurements were performed using a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), and were co-located with physical, biological, and biogeochemical sampling of sea ice and water. Based on the results from these station measurements, we found characteristic differences in light regimes of multi- (MYI) and first-year sea ice (FYI) as well as Atlantic and Pacific water masses. Including remote sensing and re-analyses data, it was possible to extrapolate some findings to the Arctic Ocean in summer.