Diving Sites in Port Blair
A subset of the PADI Open Water Diver course, the Scuba Diver program is the best for you if you are short on time but really want to become a diver. This beginner-level diving course is your best bet especially if you want to go diving with a dive guide. Scuba Diver is an intermediate step for earning an Open Water Diver certification.
One must be ten years old or older in order to enroll in a PADI Scuba Diver course/ Junior Scuba Diver course. You should be in good physical health and have adequate swimming skills. You don’t need any prior experience with scuba diving. However, trying it first through the Discover Scuba Diving program would be a good idea.
The PADI Scuba Diver course comprises three main phases:
In this PADI course, you will learn to use the basic scuba gear (a mask, snorkel, fins, regulator, buoyancy control device, and a tank). The equipment you will use will vary depending on whether you are diving in cold, temperate, or tropical water. The equipment needed by you will be explained by your instructor. They may also suggest additional educational materials like a logbook.
Check with Aqua Nomad, a 5-star PADI facility to get advice about everything you need for your diving adventures.
You can get started by registering on the PADI app of PADI. There are other home study options as well such as the Open Water Diver Manual and Open Water Diver Video (a book and DVD package). You can also enroll in the course at Dive Andaman if you are vacationing in Havelock Island. Along with the dives with your PADI instructor, you will also gain knowledge about confines and open water dives.
Scuba diving is one of the most popular water activities in the world. In India, the Andaman Islands are known for having the best diving spots. Havelock Island is surrounded by underwater coastal belts, which are home to a dense ecosystem of coral reefs and formations. A good chunk of visitors are attracted to the isles owing to excellent diving opportunities, along with calm and peaceful beaches, as well as delicious seafood.
If you are a nature lover along with an adrenaline junkie as well, then you should know that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are counted among the best places for scuba diving across India. Your trip to this island would be incomplete without a dip in its serene waters that is oozing with rich marine life. Its marine life is world-famous and thus, considered perfect for scuba diving. Swimming freely in the Indian Ocean surrounded by colourful corals, sea turtles, clownfish, stingrays, and various other underwater species is something that you will not forget ever. It’s like swimming in a huge aquarium. Interesting, isn’t it! That is why, scuba diving in Swaraj Dweep is gaining so much popularity in every nook and corner of the country.
Especially for divers, the biggest reason to travel to the Andaman Islands is to witness the majestic underwater world. Scuba diving here lets you witness the miraculous world that exists under the waves. The most exciting thing to know is that the colourful corals and rich marine life are right there at your doorstep. Just take a dip with your scuba gear and you are transported into a new world within a few seconds. Life is too short to miss out on this paradise! We strongly recommend adding scuba diving in Havelock Island to your travel bucket list.
The Andaman Islands are home to some of the most gorgeous beaches in India. It has the most pristine beaches, pleasant weather, colourful corals, and so many enthralling activities. One of the top things to do here is diving. Visit Havelock Island which is the most famous island located in the Andamans. A splendid gem, it is the hub of adventurous water activities and diving is among the most popular ones.
The oceanic floor of Havelock Island is home to the most gorgeous marine life that you can experience with your own eyes if you take a plunge into it. While diving here, the most astonishing thing that you can witness is the stunning marine world. The fun never stops in the Andamans. Along with being the top destination for chilling and relaxing at a gorgeous beach or in your beachfront cottage, the archipelago is an excellent hub of water sports. Diving is something that you should definitely try here.
There are ferries plying from Port Blair that take nearly two and a half hours to reach Havelock Island. Booking in advance is not necessary. You can ask the hotel/resort receptionist to book it for you.
Located in the gorgeous Havelock Island, Dive Andaman is a PADI 5-star facility that offers scuba diving as well as diving education. Your first scuba diving experience has to be extra-special. There should not be any compromise made on that. Therefore, we will suggest you to book your diving slot with this renowned centre. Before actually going down the water, all the basic education regarding scuba diving will be imparted to you so that you can make the most of your experience.
Answer: The PADI scuba diver course is a certification program that beginners who want to learn the basics of scuba diving can take. It is an introductory scuba diving course that is designed to give individuals the necessary knowledge and skills to explore the underwater world with a certified dive professional. It is a popular choice for those who want to experience scuba diving, but do not have the time to complete a full open-water diver certification. Also, if you want an open water diving certification, doing a PADI scuba diver course is a good place to start.
Answer: Anyone who is at least 10 years old and in good physical health can take the PADI scuba diver course. However, if you have any pre-existing medical conditions or are taking medication, you should consult with a physician before participating in scuba diving activities. You should also know how to swim. Most diving centres conduct a 200-metre swimming test to check if you are eligible for the test.
Answer: There are many places in the world where you can pursue the scuba diver certification. Most places by the sea have diving centres that help people get scuba certification. If you are planning to get your PADI scuba diver certification in India, then there’s no better place than the Andamans. Several dive centres in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands offer the scuba diving courses. Some of the popular locations include Havelock Island, and Neil Island, both of which are incredibly famous for scuba diving activities. Each of these locations provides a unique diving experience with a variety of marine life and dive sites. Remember to choose a dive centre with experienced instructors, good safety records, and well-maintained equipment. Also, it doesn’t matter where you get your certification, your PADI scuba diver certification will be recognised worldwide.
Answer: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are known for their stunning underwater world and diverse marine life, making it a perfect destination for scuba diving enthusiasts. By taking the scuba diving course in the Andamans, you will gain the necessary knowledge and skills to explore the underwater world with a certified dive professional. You will be able to witness colourful corals, schools of fish, and larger marine animals such as turtles, reef sharks, and manta rays.
Answer: No, prior scuba diving experience is not necessary to take the PADI scuba diver course. The course is designed to teach you the necessary knowledge and skills to dive with a certified dive professional. What you do need to know is to swim. Having good swimming skills is important if you want to pursue any scuba diving course.
Answer: The PADI scuba diver course consists of three main parts: knowledge development, confined water dives, and open water dives. During the knowledge development phase, you'll learn the basics of scuba diving theory through PADI’s e-learning platform. You can also opt for in-person sessions from your instructor; however, the online doesn’t take a lot of time and you can do it at your own pace. The confined water dives involve practising scuba skills in a swimming pool or shallow water. Finally, the open water dives are where you'll apply your skills and explore the underwater world. The scuba diver course typically takes 2-3 days to complete. You’ll be diving to a maximum depth of 12 meters (40 feet). This depth limitation is because the course is an introductory course and is designed to provide individuals with the necessary knowledge and skills to dive with a certified dive professional.
Answer: The best time to go scuba diving in Andaman and Nicobar Island is from November to February when the weather is dry and the sea is calm. During this period, the water visibility is excellent, and divers can expect to see a variety of marine life, including colourful corals, reef sharks, turtles, and schools of fish. October, March, and April are also good months for scuba diving as the weather is still conducive to getting into the water. However, it may get a bit hot and humid outside. The monsoons start by the end of May, which means that most water activities including scuba diving will be cancelled around this time.
Answer: The cost of the PADI scuba diver course in Andaman and Nicobar Island varies depending on the dive centre, but typically ranges from INR 15,000 to INR 20,000. This cost includes all necessary scuba diving equipment, classroom sessions, pool sessions, and open-water dives. The price may also increase if you wish to increase the number of dives you wish to take or want to add any other certification to the course.
Answer: All necessary scuba diving equipment, including wetsuits, fins, masks, tanks, and regulators, will be provided by the dive centre where you take the course. The cost of using the equipment is covered in the course price by the dive centre. However, you will need to bring your swimsuit and towel.