Diving Sites in Port Blair
Located in the magnificent Bay of Bengal, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is simply the most gorgeous destination in India. This union territory is known for its breathtaking aquatic world.
Dive Andaman is an elite PADI center based in Swaraj Dweep (previously Havelock Island) that caters to every diver’s need with professionalism and safety. It is a centrally-located dive shop with modern scuba diving equipment and expert dive masters whom you can trust.
Scuba diving in the Andamans doesn’t require you to be an expert. You can surely try your hand at this adventurous water activity irrespective of whether you know swimming or not. In short, scuba diving is for everyone. Our PADI-certified instructor will be with you at all times during your dive so that you can feel absolutely safe while having such an exhilarating experience of a lifetime! Along with try dives, there are PADI courses for beginners as well and you can choose as per your desire. Remember, exploring the underwater world and swimming with marine creatures is for everyone!
Not knowing swimming cannot stop you from exploring the gorgeous underwater world. You will be taught the basic safety guidelines and skills that are required for diving. You will be under the direct supervision of a PADI professional. You will practice a couple of more skills in shallow water to prepare yourself for an incredible adventure.
If you are already comfortable in the water, then scuba diving is probably easier for you than you think.PADI’s entry-level courses consist of pool diving, knowledge development, and open-water dives. These are performance-based which means that you progress as you learn and demonstrate skills and knowledge.
Ranging from beginner to professional, Dive Andaman India Pvt. Ltd is engaged in offering all kinds of scuba diving courses in the Andaman Islands. Pursue diving education at the best spots across the islands. And it is absolutely fine if you don’t know swimming as there are courses and scuba dives for non-swimmers as well. The most sought-after include the Open Water course, Advanced Open Water, course, Speciality Dive course, etc. An enthralling experience, scuba diving takes you deep treasures of the ocean and makes you feel those feelings you didn’t even know existed. Scuba diving evolves your mind and offers you immense peace.
If you are a water enthusiast (or not), you are going to enjoy the unbelievable marine life offered by these emerald isles. Scuba diving is an extremely thrilling and amazing activity for all water babies. You will be provided with all the necessary equipment including an oxygen cylinder, water goggles, a pair of fins, a regulator, weights (to keep you underwater), etc. To enjoy this life-changing experience, you dont need to be an experienced swimmer; a beginner can also have a truly rewarding time under the water while exploring the unknown. You cannot afford to miss a glimpse of the underwater world in the Andaman Islands. It is beyond your imagination for sure!
Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, is the hub of adventurous water activities. Whether you want to go scuba diving, snorkelling
S.no. |
Activity |
Starting price/person |
1. |
Guided Snorkelling in Port Blair |
Rs.2500 |
2. |
PADI Advanced Open Water Course in Port Blair |
Rs.25000 |
3. |
PADI Emergency First Aid Responder Course in Port Blair |
Rs.10000 |
4. |
PADI Underwater Photography Specialty Course in Port Blair |
Rs.19000 |
5. |
PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty Course in Port Blair |
Rs.14000 |
6. |
PADI Night Diver Specialty Course in Port Blair |
Rs.15000 |
7. |
Project Aware Specialty in Port Blair |
Rs.6000 |
8. |
4 Dives Scuba Diving Packages in Port Blair |
Rs.5000 |
9. |
6 Dives Scuba Diving Packages in Port Blair |
Rs.6000 |
A beach paradise in the collection of the Andaman Islands, Neil Island (renamed Shaheed Dweep in 2018) is located in the Bay of Bengal.
S.no. |
Activity |
Starting price/person |
1. |
Guided Snorkelling from Boat in Neil Island |
Rs. 4000 |
2. |
PADI Rescue Course in Neil Island |
Rs. 22000 |
3. |
PADI Dive Master Course in Neil Island |
Rs. 70000 |
4. |
12 Dives Scuba Diving Packages in Neil Island |
Rs. 8000 |
5. |
Deep Dive Specialty in Neil Island |
Rs. 12000 |
6. |
Boat Dive Specialty in Neil Island |
Rs. 10000 |
7. |
O2 Provider Specialty in Neil Island |
Rs. 10000 |
8. |
Snorkelling in Neil Island by Boat |
Rs. 3000 |
Havelock Island is the most frequented island in the Andaman Islands. It makes for a perfect beach vacation
S.no. |
Activity |
Starting price |
1 |
PADI Discover Scuba Diving Program (Boat) in Havelock Island |
7500 |
2 |
Pool DSD Confined Practice in Havelock Island |
1900 |
3 |
PADI Discover Scuba Diving Program (Shore) in Havelock Island |
4300 |
4 |
PADI Scuba Diver Course in Havelock Island |
20000 |
5 |
PADI Open Water Course in Havelock Island |
28000 |
6 |
PADI Open Water Course (Referral Diver) in Havelock Island |
16000 |
7 |
2 Dives Scuba Diving Packages in Havelock Island |
3000 |
8 |
Wreck Dive Specialty for 1 Dive in Havelock Island |
16000 |
9 |
Drift Dive Specialty for 1 Dive in Havelock Island |
16000 |
10 |
Underwater Naturalist Specialty for 1 Dive in Havelock Island |
14000 |
11 |
Underwater Navigation Specialty for 1 Dive in Havelock Island |
14000 |
12 |
Scuba Dive in Havelock Island - Shore Dive (Try Dive) |
3500 |
13 |
Shore Dive (DSD - Discover Scuba Dive, PADI Program) |
5000 |
14 |
Boat Dive (Try Dive) |
5500 |
15 |
Shore Dive (Try Dive) |
3500 |
16 |
Boat Scuba Dive (Try Dive) |
6000 |
17 |
Boat Dive (DSD - Discover Scuba Dive, PADI Program) |
7500 |
18 |
Boat Diving At Turtle Beach (Try Dive) |
8500 |
19 |
Boat Diving At Turtle Beach (DSD - Discover Scuba Dive, PADI Program) |
9500 |
20 |
Snorkelling At North Bay Island (Port Blair) At Shore |
3500 |
21 |
Snorkelling At Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) By Boat |
4000 |
22 |
Snorkelling At Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) At Shore |
3000 |
23 |
Island Hopping – Boat Snorkelling To Turtle Beach |
21500 |
24 |
Island Hopping – Boat Snorkelling Trip To Turtle Beach |
10000 |
25 |
Deep Sea Snorkelling At Elephant Beach (Swaraj Dweep) At Shore |
3500 |
26 |
Charter Boat Trip To Turtle Beach For Snorkelling And Picnic |
12500 |
27 |
Snorkelling And Picnic Trip To Turtle Beach On Sharing Basis |
6000 |
28 |
Snorkelling At Nemo Beach (Swaraj Dweep) At Shore |
2000 |
29 |
Snorkelling At Tribe Gate (Swaraj Dweep) By Boat |
4000 |
The Bay of Bengal offers a vibrant underwater world to scuba divers in the Andaman Islands. This union territory is the topmost dive location in India. Picturesque coral reefs and corals create amazingly beautiful views under the water here. One can spot turtles, moray eels, manta rays, trevally, and batfish in its crystal-clear waters! One can go for shallow as well as deep diving in the Andamans. Whether you are an experienced swimmer or a non-swimmer, a pro diver with hundreds of dives or a newbie seeking their first experience–scuba diving on this island is out of the world for sure!
If you are new to scuba diving, then choosing to dive in Port Blair would be a great decision. Its waters are home to amazing marine life and are waiting for you to explore! If you are on a budget trip to the isles, then diving here would be economical as well. The prices for a complete scuba diving experience are fairly low in Port Blair as there aren’t any additional transportation and boat charges.
Havelock Island has some of the best scuba diving sites across Southeast Asia. The best part is that all of them are easily accessible. You will be taken to a site depending on your training and experience level. Even if you are a beginner, you will have multiple choices when it comes to diving sites. For an advanced certified scuba diver, Johnny’s Gorge, Dickson’s Pinnacles, and Jackson’s Bar are the most popular sites. If you are taking the PADI Open Water course, then The Wall, Whitehouse Rock, and Inchket Wreck are your best bet. The most sought-after sites for a one-time scuba diving experience are Tribe Gate, Red Pillar, The Slope, Turtle Beach, and Nemo Reef.
Neil Island, officially known as Shaheed Dweep now, is known for its rich marine life across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Compared to the popular Havelock Island, it is less crowded and thus, you can explore the underwater world in a relaxed manner. Its thriving biodiversity, unexploited coral reefs, white sandy beaches, adventurous experiences, a notable population of birds and animal life, etc. are a few reasons why you should pick this island to spend a few days of your life here. Please note that off-shore sites have more big-fish action and clearer waters.
Age Criteria | Restrictions |
---|---|
12 Years and above till 50 Years old | Can Dive without medical certificate, Provided Medically Fit for scuba diving |
51 Years old to 60 Years Old | Cannot Scuba Dive unless medical fitness certificate is provided |
Above 60 Years Old | Not Allowed for Scuba Diving |
The short answer to this is No. You don’t exactly need how to swim to be able to scuba dive. But it does help to know swim. Since you are trained in swimming, you’d be able to better control the air pressure while diving as you’ll have good control over your breath. You’ll also be able to glide underwater effortlessly. Nonetheless, it doesn’t matter how expert a swimmer you are, if you are a beginner in scuba diving, you still need a guide to help you explore the underwater world. Scuba diving is different from swimming, and you’d need a guide to help you understand the techniques.
Unless you are an expert scuba diver, you always need training before you scuba dive. Anyone other than a professional diver needs a guide to dive underwater since you’d be going deep into the water. Most training sessions for scuba diving last up to 2 hours. You must choose a good diving centre to help with your training. You’ll mostly get tips and tricks to control your breath under the water. You’ll also receive instructions about the various things you should or should not do once inside. For example, you should not touch any fauna or coral reefs when you are scuba diving. You should also always be close to the instructor once inside the water.
Absolutely, yes. There are various scuba certifications you can get if you know how to swim. Training for scuba certifications takes at least 2-4 days depending on your level and the place. Many diving centres offer scuba diving certifications. The cost of training will be separate from the diving itself. With scuba diving certifications, you can explore many unexplored underwater territories in the world. Plus, wouldn’t it be great to show off your scuba diving skills to your friends?
While there are many places in India like Kerala and Goa where you can scuba dive, the Andaman Islands are the best place to dive mainly. Because the water is so clear, you can explore many massive coral reefs and a variety of fauna in the Andamans. Lighthouse and Aquarium are two very popular sites to dive in the Andaman Islands. Wouldn’t you love to swim side by side with rays and sea turtles? Around the world, many famous as well as hidden places are perfect for a dive. Bali, Belize, Sipadan Island, Galapagos, the Simiran and Surin Islands in Thailand, Australia, the Philippines, Maldives, and are some places in the world with the best diving spots.
Scuba diving is a very exciting water sport and attracts a lot of people worldwide. However, scuba diving cost in Andaman is still not very high. It could cost you anything between INR 2500 to INR 6500 to scuba dive in Andaman, India. Of course, that depends on the diving center, the spot, and the gear you will be using. One of the most important factors may be the timing of your dive. The cost of many water sports activities is usually low during the off season as many diving centers offer discounts.
Each scuba diving session lasts for around 30 to 45 minutes. This timeframe applies to everyone irrespective of whether you are a trained or beginner diver. The air pressure under the water and a limit to how much oxygen you can carry in your tank restrict the time to 45 minutes for everyone.
While scuba diving is open for everyone, people with severe respiratory issues like Asthma or heart patients are usually advised not to scuba dive. If you have any of these issues, you can speak to your doctor and ask them if you are cleared for a dive. Pregnant women also cannot scuba dive. Scuba diving, however, has no age limit. Anyone from the age of 10 to their 70s can dive. Of course, this also depends on whether the diving centre you have chosen allows for it.
Do not give up on scuba diving just because you have poor eyesight. The problem with poor eyesight is that you cannot wear your regular prescription glasses underwater, and without your glasses how will you see the incredibly beautiful world of water? Don’t worry, there’s a solution for everything. You can either wear a contact lens or get a powered prescription scuba mask. You’d have to speak to the instructors of the diving centre beforehand for the prescription mask.
While you can take flights before and after a flight, you should always keep a gap of 18-24 hours after scuba diving. This is because the air pressure inside an aircraft decreases as the altitude increases. The nitrogen bubbles formed after diving need to decompress slowly; however, flying can make the process faster. This may be painful for your body and in certain cases even be fatal. Not just flying, you should even do high-altitude trekking right after diving.
While the rules for scuba diving are relaxed, there are certain things you should keep in mind to ensure that you have a good diving experience. For instance, you should not have a heavy meal right before diving. You should avoid alcohol before diving. Another important rule is that you should not dive if you have a cold or fever. While you will not exactly be barred from diving if you have a cold, the air pressure under water may block your sinuses and you face difficulty in equalising air pressure. This may result in a lot of pain in your ear.
Answer: Some of the best spots for scuba diving in Andaman Islands, India are as follows:
Answer: Scuba Diving in the Andamans is absolutely safe for everyone, including beginners. Whether you are a kid or an adult, anybody can enjoy snorkeling by exploring the underwater world of the island. There will be trained professionals to take care of you at every step.
Answer: Yes, snorkeling is safe for you even if you don’t know swimming. An instructor will be there with you with whom you will be learning the basics. Anyone can go for this enthralling activity when in the Andamans.
Answer: Mask, snorkel, and fins are the essentials for this exciting water activity. You can bring your own gear for a proper and comfortable fit. However, you can take these on rent as well. If you want to capture the serendipitous moments of your underwater adventure, then don’t forget to bring an underwater camera. Also, if you decide to stay in the water for a longer period of time, then you will need to wear a wet suit.
Answer: This typically depends on the area. There are some places that have a reef right off the beach. So you don’t have to travel far to reach the snorkel site. A land-based trip will suffice in case you only want to get to a specific snorkeling location. However, there are many areas that are so spread out and vast that you will be requiring a boat to reach there.
Answer: The Andaman Islands is a year-round destination. However, the winter season, i.e., from November to May, is considered the best time to go scuba diving. It is the ideal time for sightseeing and indulging in exciting water sports as the temperature during these months ranges between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius.
Answer: Some of the tips for snorkelling are explained below:
Answer: Snorkeling is an adventurous water activity that lets you explore the lovely underwater world. The best thing is that it can be performed by non-swimmers as well. Whether you want to do it alone or with friends and family members, it is an amazing way to spend some quality time in the Andaman Islands with your near and dear ones. You need to get into the water and go inside to observe the fascinating marine life and corals of the island. Just wear fins, a mask, and a snorkel. Wear a protective suit in case you want to swim closer to the ocean floor.
Snorkeling in the Andaman Islands is going to be a mesmerizing experience for you if you have the right equipment. As soon as you get into the water, you can start snorkelling. An additional benefit is that this water activity lets you burn your calories as well. It is a great experience for your island vacation and you are going to cherish it for the rest of your life.