Scuba Diving In India Waters
Scuba diving is perhaps the most amusing water sports of all time, offering us a way to explore the under water life of species. India is home to many amazing scuba diving sites and if you are planning a trip to one of these places you must definitely visit their diving locations too. So, if you are looking for a whole new experience filled with fun and thrill, you better start making plans to visit these destinations.
Introduction
India, as magnificent as it is, is a land of huge extremes. While on one side we have the great desert in the west, where it hardly rains at all, on the other hand, we have the North Eastern region of the country where it rains round the year. In the North, we have the mighty Himalayas, while the South region is surrounded on three sides by water. As a result, much like the Indian culture, India offers a plethora of adventure sports
like, trekking, bungee jumping, scuba diving, rafting, parasailing, wind rafting etc.
Best Places For Scuba Diving In India :
Havelock Islands (Andaman and Nicobar Islands)
Neil Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Grand Island, Goa.
Netrani Island, Karnataka.
Kovalam, Kerala.
Bangaram, Lakshadweep.
Kadmat Islands, Lakshadweep.
Coral Sharks Reef, Pondicherry.
Dive Site Information
Some of the best popular dive sites in India :
1. Havelock Islands (Andaman and Nicobar Islands)
Andaman is one of the amazing creations of the Almighty. Situated right in the middle of the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal, this archipelago has a number of stunningly beautiful beaches and scuba diving spots, Havelock Islands being one of the most popular. Located about 50 km away from Port Blair, the island has a wide range of exotic marine life like Humpback Parrotfish, Lionfish, soft corals, The rare dugongs and schools of colorful fishes. To get there, one can fetch a ferry from Port Blair which would take about 2.5 hours.
There are many interesting sites upon reaching there like there is The Wall, Lighthouse, Aquarium, and Mac Point etc each with its own unique features. The hotels and resorts are also pretty good- affordable and up to the mark. And yes, do not forget to take basic necessities with you ?like sunscreens, lotions, etc. because these things are not available there. Although the place has ATM?s it might just be a little more advisable to take some hard cash with you.
Best Time to Visit
The place is at its best during the months between Octobers and April, so that might just be the time to visit it otherwise the currents are simply too high and also there is a factor of monsoons
Popular Diving Sites :
Barefoot Scuba
Andaman Bubbles Scuba Diving
Scuba Lov in Dive Resort
Dive India
India Scuba Explorers
Ocean Dive Centre
Blue Corals Dive
Eco Diver
Dive India Outbound
Ocean Tribe Scuba
Approximate Cost
Package rates are somewhere between 4500-6000 INR. Please make sure you have a clear medical certificate form beforehand.
2. Neil Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Neil Islands is another part of Andaman which is just as beautiful albeit with less hustle and bustle that surrounds the Havelock islands. It is a tiny island but a really beautiful one with its yet unexplored beaches, great scuba diving spots. The coral reef here is quite untouched by external factors and hence retains its beauty owing to the rich variety of marine life. There are great beach spots like the Jetty area, Margherita?s Mischief and Laxmanpur Beach 1.
Best Time To Visit :
The best time to visit this place would be between December and May, again due to rough sea in the rest of the year and also due to monsoons.
Popular Diving Sites :
Margherita's Mischief
K Rock
Bus Stop
Junction
Approximate Cost
Cost per person is around 3500-6000 INR.
3. Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park (Source)
The capital city of the Union Territory has some amazing places to go to for scuba diving. The Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park in Wandoor is one of a unique place reserved to protect the marine flora and fauna. It is surely a one- of ? the- kind place in the country. Brace yourself to see some of the most beautiful sea flowers and about 50 different kinds of corals including Fungia, Pocillopora, Clown fishLeptoseris etc. You will also gClownfish, Butterfly fish, Parrot fish etc.
Best Time To Visit :
The best time to go there is between December and April due to the calm seas during that time.
Popular Diving Sites :
Dive Mantra
Maruti Diving School
Experience Andaman
Lacadives
Approximate Cost
Cost is around 3500 - 6000 INR.
4. North Point, Cinque Island, Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Another beauty of the Andaman and Nicobar islands, this spot has one of the clearest waters in the world. With clarity up to 80 feet, this place makes for one of the most amazing scuba diving places. With a variety of corals, sponges and a rich diversity of colorful and vivid marine life, this makes a wonderful visit. The place has a variety of amazing black corals and also ferocious sharks. After reaching Port Blair, one can go to Cinque Island by a chartered boat.
Best Time To Visit :
The best of the place is experienced between December and May because the sea is most calm during that time.
Popular Diving Sites :
Barefoot Scuba
Approximate Cost
Around 3500-5000 INR for a one-hour session.
5. Corruption Rock, Andaman & Nicobar Islands
This very beautiful dive point, between Chidiyatappu and Rutland Island, is a beautiful dive spot. It basically consists of a rock, approximately 30 meter in height, part of it sticking out of water. It is present in between intermediate to strong current channel which attracts a large variety of flora and fauna. There is an abundance of canyons, ridges and channels undersea which makes the place really different and adds to its unique beauty. This place also has many shipwrecks so one can imagine to be looking for a treasure underneath (although there are none!). The place is also famous for its unicorn fishes, Napoleon and Eagle rays etc. The only way of getting there is by ferries which move from Port Blair on a daily basis.
Best time to visit :
The best time to go there is between December and March, due to less rush.
Popular diving Sites :
Lacadives
Approximate Cost
3500-6000 INR.
6. Grand Island, Goa
Goa is all about beaches, party and the Sunburn festival! Is that what you think? Then I implore on you to think again, because the Grand Island is going to change your perception. The Grand Island is a popular destination for adventure junkies all over the world. Want to experience a beginner's tryst with the sea or want to push your limits in the strong currents of the sea, fret not, because the Grand Island has it all. Located few kilometers westwards of the Mormugao peninsula, this place is a haven for scuba divers. Amongst the most popular sites is the Suzy's Wreck, a British ship sunken in the 1930?s due to strong storm. The ship still remains at the bottom covered with mussels and corals, becoming a home for many fishes and crustaceans There is another shipwreck called Davy Jones Locker not far away, which is a favorite among the professional scuba divers. The sea current is quite strong here so it is advisable for only professionals and experienced scuba divers. For beginners, the Uma Gumma Reef would be a wonderful place to start with its calm waters and a range of sea creatures like needlefish, lobsters, white tip reef sharks etc. As one can notice that there are a lot of shipwrecks, the Grand Island is also a great place for treasure hunting at places like Suzy's wreck, Davy Lockers Jones, Uma Gumma Reef, Surge city, Turbo Tunnel etc. The only way to reach there is by means of a boat or ferry.
Best time to visit :
The best time would be between November and March because the temperature is just right at that time.
Popular Diving Sites :
Atlantis Watersports
Goa Diving
Approximate costs
4000 INR per person.
7. Netrani Island, Karnataka
Netrani Island, also known as Pigeon Island, is located approximately 10 nautical miles from the temple town of Mudreshwar in Bhatkal Taluk. It is a beautiful diving spot, shaped in the form of a heart, fondly known as ?The heart of India's diving?. It is a coral island and has a coral reef with varieties of coral, butterfly fish, parrot fish, eels and shrimps. If you are lucky enough, you might even see a whale or orcas. The island is mainly uninhabitated and due to the steep stones, it is advisable to do diving for a boat. The place is well connected from Goa, Mumbai, Mangalore and Bengaluru.
Best time to visit :
The best time to visit will be between December and January because the current is high in the rest of the time of the year.
Popular Diving Sites
Netrani Adventures
West Coast Adventures
Dive Netrani
Approximate Cost
5500-6000 INR per person.
8. Kovalam, Kerala
Kovalam is situated in Kerala, at a distance of about 16 km from Thiruvananthapuram. A beach area mainly, it is slowly developing into a popular scuba diving locale since the Bond Safari Kovalam has come there. Instead of using the traditional scuba gear, the company makes use of what is known as 'bond' submarine, which is basically an underwater scooter. So, that's quite interesting, isn't it? Moreover the waters here are really calm, with shoals of anchovy and silver moony, Bluefin trevaly, the odd Moray eel, puffer fish, groupers, box fish, sergeants, pipe fish etc. The place is well connected by railways and airports.
Best time to visit :
The best time to visit the place would definitely be between December and January because the temperature and humidity is just right then.
Popular Diving Sites :
Bond Safari scuba diving
Scuba cochin dive centre
scuba diving kovalam
Approximate cost
Costs upward of 20000 INR.
9. Bangaram, Lakshadweep
Okay, so this one is an atoll. It basically has coral reefs surrounding the entire island. The place is known for its serene and calm atmosphere. The place is located in the union territory of Lakshadweep islands. The underwater scenic beauty is simply stunning with the continuous coral reef and also has been considered at par with popular beach country like Maldives and Mauritius. One also gets to see a lot of barracudas. The fact that it is one of the cleanest beaches really elevates its standard. The connectivity is good and one can reach the island by taking a boat from Agatti (Agatti has an aerodrome too).
Best time to visit :
The best time to visit Bangaram Islands is between October and March due to calm seas. Just make sure to carry your passport wherever you go.
Popular Diving Sites :
Laccadives
Aggati Island
Bangarram Island
Approximate Cost
Ranges from 4000-7000 INR.
10. Kadmat Islands, Lakshadweep
Also known as Cardamom Islands, it is a coral island belonging to the union territory of Lakshadweep. It is a home to the marine turtles and other exotic marine species. There are also various species of live coral. Turquoise waters and white sands really make this place look ethereal. The place is open for foreign tourists, one just needs to keep his/her passport handy.
This place is worth a visit for its beautiful fauna and live corals.
Best time to visit :
The best time to visit is from November to March due to the calm sea at that time.
Popular diving schools and
Lacca dives
Approximate cost
6000 INR.
11. Coral Sharks Reef, Pondicherry
One of the most flexible scuba diving spots of Pondicherry is the cool sharks? reef. This is so named because it has a depth of the sea that varies from 5m to 23m which enables both the beginners as well as the experts to enjoy the beautiful sites. Plus the sea floor is sandy in nature and the coral reefs are gorgeous.
Best time to visit :
The best time to visit this place is perhaps during March and October when the waters are calm and cool.
Popular Diving Sites :
Cool Shark Reef
Temple Reef
The Hole
4 Corners
Approximate Cost
Ranges from 3500-6000 INR for non-swimmers/fun swimming.
12. The Aravind Wall, Pondicherry
One of the most famous scuba diving sites, The Aravind Wall is located 15 km offshore. One can see a number of different and unique sea creatures like lion fish, butterfly fish and also a variety of sea snakes. If one is lucky, one can also see the Honeycomb Moray Eel in the Wall. The place is conveniently connected to airways.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit this place is between December and March when the temperature is appropriate and seas are calm.
Popular Diving Sites :
Temple Adventures
Approximate Cost :
3500-6000 INR non-swimmers/fun swimming.
13. 4 corners, Pondicherry
One of the traditional dive sites, this place is ideal for open water divers. Covered by palm trees, the area has a large number of different marine species. The depth of the place can go up to 18 m which allows deep sea diving too. It has got various species like lion fishes, dolphins etc.
Best time to visit :
The best time to visit this place would be during October and March due to rush in the rest of the seasons.
Popular Diving Sites :
Temple Adventures for all the PADI certified courses
Approximate Cost
Ranges from 3500-6000 INR for non-swimmers /fun swimming.
14. The Hole, Pondicherry
The hole is one of those places where only the hardcore scuba diving enthusiasts would dare going. To start with, the depth is almost 30m in the central area that is almost twice as deep as the other diving sites, the there is the spooky darkness taking care of which one has got to take a torch or some lighting equipment with them. So if you are one of those fearless advanced divers, this place is a haven for you. One might even spot some rare unknown creature.
Best time to visit :
The place is accessible in the months of December and March due to temperature issues and the currents being too high.
Popular Diving Sites :
Temple Adventures is responsible for all the PADI certified courses
Approximate Cost :
Ranging from 3500-6000 INR for non-swimmers/fun swimming.
What's Included
Onboard shower and toilet
Tanks, weights and weight belt
Water, tea and coffee
Light snack after the first dive
Soft dive gear (full foot fins, wetsuit and mask) – requested sizes subject to availability.
What's Excluded
• Equipment rental
• Marine park fee
• 4 x AA sized batteries (if required for night dive)
• Airfare (if any)
• Taxes and fuel surcharges,
• Personal expenses (includes drinks, bills and tips),
• Travel insurance (proof of insurance required),
• Visa application and fees (if applicable),
• Gratitude for the Boat Crew / Guide
Dive Trip Requirements
• Valid passport and Visa (if applicable)
• Cash in Singapore or local currency (Malaysian Ringgit; RM)
• Personal Medication
• Travel Insurance (recommended)
• Able to snorkel/swim in the sea
• Minimum of PADI Open Water Diver Certification or equivalent (for leisure diver)
Equipment needed for the excursion:
Sun cream, hat, flip flop or sandals, swimming suit, beach wear, towel, camera
How to Get There
• By Air, Land and Sea
Payment Terms
SGD 100 deposit required upon confirmation of booking of accommodation and dive trip.
Payment payable once upon confirmation of booking of accommodation and or with dive trip package/s.
Equipment Rental
Rates (SGD)/ Per Day
Dive Torch : SGD 10
Dive Computer : SGD 15
Dive Computer - D4i : SGD 30
Camera : SGD 35
Disclaimer
Estimated rates for booking, Exact cost of dive trip booking depends on each dive itinerary and arrangement package. Invoice on the payment details will be sent to your personal email account upon booking.
Includes Boat transport, and for each pax meal - Breakfast, Lunch and transport back and forth to your hotel or resort or hostel accomodation.
If you will like to book for the accomodation for a stay for 1 Night or more for yourself and family members or for a tour group etc. , please indicate for your accomodation booking, for the number of days/nights of stay here in India, and we will arrange for you.
Subjective to availability.
An invoice will be sent to you via email on the separate payment charges for accomodation stay.
Applicable to local and foreign visitors :
• The arrangement of the sequence of the itinerary is subject to change with/without prior notice.
• In the event that the venue of attraction is closed to visitors, it will be replaced with an alternative venue if possible.
• May request for travel itinerary from us via email.
• During trade fairs or the peak season, accommodation stay may not be inclusive.
All dive trip/s are subjected to the weather conditions and change in itinerary.
If the dive trip unfortunately has to postpone or cancelled, there can be a request for arrangement for another dive trip. Subjected to approval and availability of boat charters.
Cancellation Policy
Any change in trip dates after booking confirmation will be subjected to SGD 100 administrative fees per change/s. Full fees will be charges for packages cancelled or postponed with less than 28 days notice.
If you cancel less than 28 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, full payment will be non-refundable. If more than 28 days, 50% of the package price will be forfeited with an administrative charge of SGD 50 Payable to the dive shop.
If you cancel at least 7 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee.
If you cancel between 3 and 6 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 50 percent cancellation fee.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.
* The timings are as estimated proposed. Diving trip is subjected to road/traffic/tide/weather conditions on the day of trip.
Additional Information
Additional Information
Confirmation will be received at time of booking.
All dive trip/s are subjected to the weather conditions and change in itinerary.
If the dive trip unfortunately has to postpone or cancelled, there can be a request for arrangement for another dive trip.
Subjected to approval and availability of boat charters.
Passport & Visa Requirements
Please check you have the required travel documents before booking your dive trip.
Ensure that your passport has at least 6 months validity from your time of entry into India.
