Scuba Diving in Goa: Top Sites, Packages & Tips

Goa isn’t just beaches and parties—it’s also home to an exciting underwater world. With warm water, abundant marine life, and dive sites accessible for all levels, it’s a thriving spot for both first-timers and certified divers.

Dive Conditions in Goa

• Visibility: Average visibility ranges from 3–10 m, depending on site and season
• Water Temperature: Ranges between 27–30 °C, keeping the experience comfortable without wetsuits
• Depth: Most dives are at 6–20 m, ideal for discovering reefs and wrecks
• Recommended Season: October to May, when seas are calm. Avoid monsoon (June–September) due to strong currents and low visibility

Top Dive Sites Around Goa

1. Grande Island (a.k.a. Grand Island)

Grande Island is the go-to destination for scuba diving in Goa. It offers a diverse underwater landscape—ranging from coral patches to sunken ships—and is suitable for everyone, from beginners to experienced divers. The water is generally warm (27–30°C), and visibility ranges between 5–10 meters depending on the season and tides.

Best Dive Sites at Grande Island

1. Suzy’s Wreck (4–15 m): This is one of Goa’s most iconic dives—a sunken British cargo ship from the 1930s. Resting in a calm bay, the wreck is encrusted with coral and home to angelfish, stonefish, snappers, and parrotfish. It’s ideal for beginner-to-intermediate divers.
2. Umma Gumma Reef (15 m): A reef lover’s paradise. Known for its hard coral formations and sightings of tuna, porcupinefish, sharks, and snappers. This spot is perfect for photographers and those seeking a classic reef dive.
3. Davy Jones Locker (15 m): A deeper wreck site—this sunken vessel is a haven for large fish like jacks, tuna, and mullets. The current is stronger here, so it’s best suited for advanced divers.
4. Sailing Rock (20 m): Challenging but rewarding, this pinnacle site teems with marine life. It’s reserved for experienced divers due to depth and current strength.

Depth: 7–20 m
Best for: Wreck diving, beginners to advanced divers
Cost: ₹2,500–₹16,000
Top Dive Sites: Suzy’s Wreck, Umma Gumma Reef, Davy Jones Locker, Sailing Rock
Best Time: October to February
Getting There: ~1-hour boat ride from Vasco da Gama or Calangute
Recommended Dive Operators at Grande Island: Aquasports Goa, Scuba Evolution, Dive Goa (SSI/PADI), Goa Safari, Atlantis Watersports

2. Pigeon Island (Netrani Island)

Pigeon Island has some excellent scuba dive sites in Goa. Located on West coast off Murudheswar, the island can be reached by taking a 1-hour boat ride from Murudeshwar in Karnataka and is 100kms away from Goa. If seen from above, the island would appear to be heart-shaped, the reason why it is fondly known as 'heart of India's diving'.

Best Diving Sites: Pebble Beach, Grand Central, The Trawler, Dive Goddess, Nursery
Best Time to Visit: October - April end
Price: Diving here would cost around INR 4990 per person which also includes the boat ride to the Island.

The Diving Operators at Pideon Island, Goa are:

1. Netrani Adventures

Location: Murdeshwar Temple Main Rd, Murdeshwar, Karnataka 581350
Packages: Starts from INR 5500
Booking: http://www.netraniadventures.com/scuba_diving.php

2. Goa Diving
Goa diving offers professional PADI courses as well.

Location: Close to John Seagull's Restaurant, Bogmalo Beach, Bimtan Bogmalo Road, Chiconla, Vasco da Gama, Goa - 403806
Packages: INR 17,000 (1 night and 4 dives; inclusive of travel from Goa to Goa, food, lodging, boat charges)
Booking: http://goadiving.com/

3. Malvan

Often compared to the beautiful island of Tahiti, Malvan is a fantastic experience for those who seek to go scuba diving in Goa, thanks to its pretty white sand beaches. A 2-hour drive from Dabolim Airport (Goa), Malvan has it all. Pristine beaches with water sports, boat rides through a rocky sea to hidden islands, a point where the river and sea meet, breathtaking mountain views in the background, mouthwatering food, warm people and gorgeous sunrises and sunsets. Malvan sets a jovial mood for scuba diving. Whether you an amateur swimmer or the next best thing after Michael Phelps, this place has something for everyone. With a depth starting from 5 meters and going till 25, and marine animals and corals of all kinds, you, my friend, are in for a treat.

Price: The cost of scuba diving is only INR 2500 and is cheaper than other places in Goa
Best time to Visit: October - April end

The Diving Operators at Malvan, Goa are:

1. Scuba Diving Goa

Timings: Open 24 Hours
Location: Calangute Car Parking, Umta Vaddo, Near Hotel Embassy Suites, Calangute, Goa - 403516
Packages: Starts at INR 1800
Booking: https://goaadventure.in/

2. Sea Watersports

Timings: 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Location: 101, Angelos Guest House, Near PR Enterprise, Saunta Vaddo Next to Britto's, Baga Beach, Bardez, Goa- 403516
Packages: Begin at INR 2500
Booking: https://www.seawatersports.com/

3. Goa Darshan Tours and Travels

Timings: 9:00 AM to 11:30 PM
Location: Opp Meera Hotel, Next to Citrus Hotel Just Near, Calangute - Baga Road, Calangute, Goa - 403516
Packages: Starts at INR 1699
Booking: http://www.goadarshan.net/

4. Atlantis Watersports

Timings:7:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Location: Shop No 12, Simplex Chamber, Umta Waddo, Near Baga Circle, Next To RBL Bank, Calangute, Goa - 403516
Packages: Start at INR 1999
Booking: https://atlantiswatersports.com/

5. Goa Safari

Timings: 8:30 AM to 11:30 PM
Location: Cabin no. A-7, Maddo Vaddo, Calangute, Goa - 403516
Packages: Begin at INR 2199
Booking: https://www.goasafari.com/

4. Sao Gorge Island

Located just 25 km from Goa, this exotic Island can be reached within one and a half hours by boat. If this is your first time, Gorge Island is the ideal place for you as the dives here are all shallow, ranging from 4 meters - 15 meters. This ultimate diving destination is majestic, intriguing. Want to overcome the fear of water? This is the place to be. Blessed with an abundant underwater world of hard corals and numerous fishes, you can enjoy a very relaxing dive. The visibility around the Island varies from 10 meters to few feet.

Best Dive Sites: The dive sites have different names, but are all located on these islands
Best time to Visit: October - May
Price: The pricing starts from as low as INR 3500

The Diving Operators at Sao Gorge Island, Goa are:

1. Goa Diving
Goa diving offers professional PADI courses as well.

Location: Close to John Seagull's Restaurant, Bogmalo Beach, Bimtan Bogmalo Road, Chiconla, Vasco da Gama, Goa - 403806
Packages: INR 5000 (for beginners)
Booking: http://goadiving.com/

2. Tours of Goa

Timings: 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Location: Tours of Goa, Sautavaddoo Calangute Bardez Goa, Goa 403516.
Packages: Start at INR 2500
Booking: https://goatoursplanner.com/goa-day-trips/scuba-diving-goa/

5. Nagoa, Goa

This delightful scuba diving in Nagoa is designed keeping first-timers in mind. Just beyond the shore lie cold, azure waters, beautiful coves, and millions of fish. The visibility in the water is pretty good so plan an adventure packed diving trip with your loved ones here. Nagoa is located approximately 11 km north of the South Goa district headquarters Margão, 17 km south-east of Vasco da Gama and 22 km south-east of the state capital Panjim.

Best Time to Visit: October- May
Price: The pricing starts at INR 5000

The Diving Operators at Nagoa, Goa are:

1. Flying Fish Scuba Diving Resort

Timings: Open 24 hours
Location: GTDC Calangute residency goa, Goa 403516
Packages: Starts at INR 4000
Booking: https://www.flyingfish.in/

Choosing a Dive Operator

Go with PADI or SSI-certified dive centers—e.g., Dive Goa, Ocean Blue, Scuba Evolution—for safety and quality .
Ensure they provide:
-A pre-dive briefing and confined water practice
-Well-maintained gear, certified instructors
-Boat transfers, insurance, and first aid

So, now that you know about the best places for scuba diving in Goa pack your swimsuit, sunglasses and lots of sunscreen because its time to head to Goa and tick scuba diving off your bucket list.