Okay, so does anybody remember the scene from the movie? Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara? , where Hritik Roshan has just come out of the sea after a scuba diving experience and he is literally stunned beyond any reaction? Or the look on Louisa's face when she discovered the joys of scuba diving and exclaiming? Why didn't you make me do this before?? That, my friends, is exactly the power of the sea- it stuns you into speechlessness, allowing you to absorb its fantastic glory, leaving you astounded in drinking its tremendous magnificence. Of course, it is a lifetime experience, to see the inside of a sea with all its colourful fishes waddling away, the beauty of the coral reef and what not! 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 around 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. This blog will be about scuba diving, one of the most loved adventure sports for those adrenaline junkies. India, being surrounded on three sides by water sure has some amazing scuba diving spots, ranging from popular to some not-so-popular-yet-unexplored, with the ability to make anyone fall in love with them. In this blog, we are going to talk about the same. So here it goes: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 colourful 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 monsoonsPopular 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 INR 4500- INR 6000. 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 the 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 INR 3500- INR 6000.3. Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar Islands
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 Clownfish,Butterflyfish, 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 INR 3500 - INR 60004. 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 INR 3500- INR 5000 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
INR 3500- INR 60006. Grand Island, Goa
Underwater fun with beautiful fishesGoa 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 Cost
INR 4000 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
INR 5500- INR 6000 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 INR 20000.9. 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 INR 4000- INR 7000.10. 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 School
- Laccadives
Approximate Cost
INR 600011. 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 INR 3500- INR 6000 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 AdventuresApproximate Cost
INR 3500- INR 6000 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 lionfishes, 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 coursesApproximate Cost
Ranges from INR 3500- INR 6000 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 coursesApproximate Cost
Ranging from INR 3500- INR 6000 for non-swimmers/fun swimming.15. Scuba Diving in Dwarka
Best Time To Visit
Post-Monsoon from October - MarchPopular Dive Operators
DiveIndia offers PADI certified coursesApproximate Cost
Fun Dive/Discover Scuba: INR 4,500 + 18% GSTOpen Water Course (3 Days) : Rs 26,000 + 18% GST
We have listed a number of possible scuba diving holidays options that you can plan out and the only thing that remains now is for you to pack your bags, make some reservations, buy some tickets and go on to have a time of your life. And yeah, just make sure that you don't forget your passport and medical certificate. It's time to tick scuba diving off your bucket list!