Scuba Dive in India – 5 Best Places to Dive
Scuba diving in India offers an incredible underwater experience with its diverse underwater marine life and crystal-clear, warm waters. With its long coastline and vibrant coral reefs, India is a top destination for both beginner and experienced scuba divers. Some popular diving spots include the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Lakshadweep Islands, and the Goa coasts. Get ready to discover a world of colorful fish, vibrant coral reefs, and mysterious shipwrecks while scuba diving in India.
1. Andaman and Nicobar Scuba Diving
Offer clear waters, diverse marine life, and beautiful coral reefs. The islands are known for their clear waters, abundant marine life, and various dive sites. Some of the most popular dive spots in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands include:
Havelock Island
is known for its beautiful coral reefs and colourful marine life. Dive sites such as Elephant Beach, Neil Island, and the famous “John Lawrence” offer an array of marine life, such as parrotfish, lionfish, and even sea turtles.
Neil Island
It is known for its fantastic coral reefs, including the “Lighthouse” and “Sitapur” reefs, which are famous for their vibrant coral and marine life, such as schools of tropical fish and sea turtles.
Barren Island
is the only active volcano in South Asia and a popular dive spot for adventure seekers. Divers can explore the volcano’s underwater hot springs and volcanic vents, home to a unique variety of marine life, including black coral and tube worms.
It’s important to note that diving in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is best done from October to May, as the monsoon season can make diving conditions difficult, similar to Similan islands diving. Also, it is recommended to check with local dive centres for dive site conditions and safety precautions. Andaman and Nicobar islands are Indian Union Territory, and foreign tourists must be permitted to visit these islands.
2. Scuba Diving in Goa
Located on the west coast of India, it is a popular destination for scuba diving. The state has a long coastline that stretches along the Arabian Sea, which offers an array of dive sites with diverse marine life. Goa’s most popular dive spots include Grande Island, Suzy’s Wreck, and Sail Rock.
Grande Island
is an uninhabited island located off the coast of Goa, and it is an excellent spot for both beginners and experienced divers. The island has several dive sites, including the famous “Shelter Cove”, a protected marine area that offers an array of marine life, such as schools of colourful fish, turtles, and even dolphins.
Suzy’s wreck
is a shipwreck lying at a depth of about 30 meters. The wreck is home to many types of marine life, such as lionfish, moray eels, and schools of fish.
Sail Rock
is another popular dive site in Goa; it is a rock formation that rises from the depths of the sea and is surrounded by a colourful coral reef. The site is home to various marine life, such as schools of fish, turtles, and even sharks. It’s important to note that diving in Goa is best done from October to May, as the monsoon season can make diving conditions difficult. Also, it is recommended to check with local dive centres for dive site conditions and safety precautions.
3. Scuba Diving in Lakshadweep Islands
Crystal clear waters, healthy coral reefs, and a wide variety of marine life. The Lakshadweep Islands, located off the west coast of India, are a group of 36 islands that offer some of the best scuba diving in India. The waters around the islands are crystal clear, with visibility often reaching over 30 meters.
The coral reefs in the area are healthy and diverse, and marine life is abundant and varied. Some popular dive sites include Bangaram Island, Kadmat Island, and Minicoy Island. These islands are famous for their various species of coral and marine life, such as sharks, manta rays, and turtles. You will also find a variety of fish species, including parrotfish, butterflyfish, and angelfish.
Bangaram Island
The diving sites around Bangaram Island offer various experiences for divers of all levels. The island’s house reef is an excellent spot for beginners, as it is shallow and provides a chance to see a variety of colourful coral and tropical fish comparable to scuba diving thailand. The reef is home to various hard and soft corals, including staghorn, brain, and table coral. Divers can also spot multiple tropical fish, such as parrotfish, butterflyfish, and angelfish.
Advanced divers can explore the deeper waters around the island, where they can encounter more significant marine life, such as tuna, barracuda, and even reef sharks. The island also offers the opportunity to dive into a shipwreck in deeper water. Bangaram Island is also known for its manta rays, which can often be seen at the dive sites around the island. These gentle giants can grow up to 7 meters in width and are a truly spectacular sight to see.
Kadmat Island
Offers a variety of dive spots, including a shipwreck and a coral garden. Some of the popular dive sites around Kadmat Island include:
4. Pondicherry Scuba Diving
Diverse marine life, and good visibility. Pondicherry, a Union Territory in southern India, is known for its beautiful beaches and rich marine life. Scuba diving is a popular activity in Pondicherry, as it offers a chance to explore the vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life in the area.
Several scuba diving operators and schools in Pondicherry provide diving courses and guided dives for both beginners and experienced divers. Some popular diving spots in Pondicherry include Paradise Beach, Serenity Beach, and Seruwady.
Paradise Beach, also known as Plage Paradiso, is a secluded beach located in the union territory of Puducherry (formerly Pondicherry) on the Bay of Bengal coast of India. It is situated on the east coast road, around 15km from the town of Puducherry. The beach is known for its serene and unspoiled beauty, clear blue waters, white sandy beaches and lush greenery.
Visitors can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing on the beach and participate in water sports such as jet skiing and parasailing. The beach also offers a variety of food and drink options. Paradise beach is perfect for a day trip, and it’s best to avoid visiting it during monsoon season.
5. Netrani Island Scuba Diving
Soft and hard coral reefs, and a massive variety of marine life. Netrani Island, also known as Pigeon Island, is a popular scuba diving destination in the Arabian Sea off Karnataka, India. Crystal clear waters and abundant marine life, including colourful coral reefs, schools of tropical fish, and sightings of larger pelagic species such as sharks and dolphins.
Divers can explore the island’s many dive sites, which range from shallow coral gardens to deeper walls and shipwrecks. Some popular dive sites include the Shark Point, Nandi Temple, and the Netrani Wreck. The Netrani Wreck is located off the coast of the Indian state of Karnataka, near the island of Netrani.
The ship is a cargo vessel that sank in the early 2000s and now lies at a depth of around 30-35 meters. The wreck has become a popular diving spot, known for its abundant marine life and the opportunity to explore its interior.
Divers can see schools of fish, moray eels and other marine creatures swimming in and out of the wreck. The wreck is considered an advanced dive site due to its depth and the strong currents that can be present. Divers are also advised to be adequately trained and equipped for diving in a shipwreck environment and to follow safe diving practices.
It is important to note that diving at Netrani Island is only recommended for experienced divers, as the currents can be strong and visibility can be limited.
Frequently Asked Questions About Scuba Diving In India
What is the best time of year to go scuba diving in India?
The ideal times to go scuba diving in India depend on where you are, but typically, the months of October through May are seen to be the greatest. These months are perfect for diving because of the clear seas and decent visibility.
Do I need to be a certified diver to go scuba diving in India?
No, you are not required to hold a diving certification to go scuba diving in India, but it is advised to take a scuba diving school to acquire the right techniques and safety precautions. Your underwater experiences begin with the open water course.
Is there an age limit for scuba diving in India?
Yes, there is an age limit for scuba diving in India. Most dive centres follow the minimum age limit of 10 years for children and junior divers, while some may have a minimum age limit of 12.
What is the depth limit for scuba diving in India?
The depth limit for scuba diving depends on the diver’s certification level and the dive centre’s policies. The maximum depth for an open-water certified person is 18 meters, and 30 meters for advanced open-water divers.
What is underwater visibility like for scuba diving in India?
Depending on the area and time of year, the visibility varies. In the open ocean, visibility often ranges from 10 to 30 metres. There may be less visibility during the monsoon season.