Scuba Diving for Beginners Swimmers in Andaman Islands

Answer: Imagine this: it has just been a few weeks that you started learning how to swim and suddenly your friends decide to make a vacation plan to the Andaman Islands? If you are worried that your lack of training in swimming may hinder your scuba diving dreams, let them to rest. Even non-swimmers can scuba dive, so, you with your few skills in swimming, will definitely be able scuba dive without a question. When you go for a dive, you’ll be strapped with scuba glider and a scuba jacket; these will help you glide effortlessly under the water. You don’t need any swimming skills to make a dive, but it definitely helps to know swimming.

Answer: Yes, there will be training before you take your leap of faith under the water. There is a basic training program for those of you who just want to try scuba diving. The training will last for 1-2 hours and cover all the rules you’d have to follow under the water. You’ll also be taught some techniques you can use while diving. Note that this training is different from the one you can take for scuba certification.

Answer: While anybody can scuba dive, only those who know swimming can take pursue a scuba certification course. Since you know the basics of swimming, you diving centre will allow to take a scuba certification course. You essentially need to know how to float on water and tread along for at least minutes. If you can swim at least 200 metres unaided, congratulations, you can now enrol for a PADI scuba certification course. You can always continue to enhance your swimming skills while you train to be a scuba diver.

Answer: The Andaman Islands boasts of a lot of diving spots that you can explore along with your friends. Aquarium and Lighthouse are two very popular sites for scuba divers, especially, for those that are starting their scuba diving journey. You should definitely try Margherita’s Mischief and K-Rock in Neil Island, and the Nemo Reef in Govind Nagar where the dives are not too deep and good for beginners. Among the islands, Havelock has the most number dive spots. Since you have just started learning swimming and are beginning to learn scuba diving, you should try the spots with less depth like South Pilot Reef, Elephant beach, Mac Point, Bob’s Backyard, Nursery, Pilot Reef, and I-95.

Answer: If you wear prescription glasses, you should know that you cannot wear them while you have a scuba mask on. Having a poor eyesight while scuba diving means not being able to see the gorgeous flora and fauna of the underwater world. Now, you are not going all the way to the Andaman Islands to scuba dive and not be able to see anything, correct? Here’s you solution: contact lens. Yes, you can still wear disposable contact lens for the duration of your dive. If you are uncomfortable wearing contact lens, you should contact the diving centre you have booked for your dive. Some scuba masks also come with prescription power that can match your power. If you diving centre has one, you can wear that. The cost of the dive may go up a little bit because of that, of course. Some experienced scuba divers also get their own scuba masks made with the correct prescription, which they wear for all their dives.

Answer: The short answer is Yes. While anyone above the age of 10 can scuba dive, certain medical conditions make it difficult for you to dive. For instance, since diving involves regulating your breath continuously under water anyone with a weak respiratory system should avoid the activity unless your doctor specifically tells you that you can dive. The same rule applies to the heart patients and pregnant women.

Answer: It can cost you anything between INR 4000 to INR 7000 to scuba dive in the Andaman Islands. The price is usually for a package that includes a training, a boat ride to the dive spot, an instructor, and photos and videos of your scuba journey. If you enrol in a scuba course, with a little bit more training and money, you can get a PADI scuba certification course.

Answer: Scuba diving is definitely not the same as snorkelling. Snorkelling swim near the surface of the water while in scuba you dive deep into the water. Snorkelling offers a panoramic view of the sea world. Both, of course, provide excellent views of the underwater world. Just like scuba, you can snorkel even if you just started learning swimming.

Answer: A vacation in the Andamans promises to be a lot of fun. Surrounded by water everywhere, there’s no limit to the water sport activities that you can enjoy in the various islands. Scuba diving is, of course, the king of all water activities, but if you want to explore what else the islands have to offer try snorkelling and sea walking. Both are fun-filled and exciting water activities that gives you access to the underwater world. You can also try Jet skiing and Parasailing, if what you need is a lot of speed.

Answer: The Andaman Islands are synonymous with beaches. There are so many beaches to explore in the Union Territory, that you’ll not be able to cover all of them, or just a few of them, in just one visit. The most famous beaches are the Radhanagar beach and the Elephant beach. Radhanagar is one of the best beaches in Asia and known for its eco-friendly environment. You can also kayak deep into the watery mangrove alleys of Havelock and explore the rich biodiversity of the Andamans at the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park.