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Tired of land-based adventures? Skip the roads and dive into the waters this season. Goa parties are old news—it’s time to explore the stunning turquoise and deep blue waters of the Andaman and Lakshadweep islands. Yes, we’re talking about scuba diving, and we’ve got the best spots in India for you to experience.
The movie Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara beautifully captured the thrill of scuba diving. The serene underwater world, colourful marine life, and unforgettable diving experience transport you to a whole new dimension. Scuba diving, or swimming underwater with a Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA), is not only exhilarating but a truly once-in-a-lifetime adventure. And here’s some great news—you don’t need to be a swimmer to enjoy this thrilling activity!
About Scuba Diving In India
Scuba diving in India is filled with fun and adventure. However, before you take the plunge, it’s crucial to follow some key safety guidelines.
- Never dive alone. It’s not only safer but also more enjoyable when you dive with others.
- Always breathe normally. Holding your breath underwater can be dangerous.
- Start with shallow dives. Avoid going too deep right from the beginning.
- Always inspect your equipment before diving. Malfunctioning gear can pose serious risks.
- Follow your trainer’s or supervisor’s instructions—they are in charge and ensure your safety.
- Don’t pollute the underwater world. Marine life won’t harm you, so be respectful and keep the environment clean.
Scuba Diving In India: 10 Best Places To Dive
Ready for an unforgettable adventure? Explore our list of the best scuba diving spots in India. If a place isn’t on this list, it might be worth skipping.
- Andaman: The Abyss of Blue
- Lakshadweep: A Submerged Paradise
- Goa: Dive Into Fun and Adventure
- Pondicherry: Dive into the Pristine Island’s Depths
- Netrani Island, Karnataka: Explore the Vibrant Marine Life
- Tarkarli, Maharashtra: Dive into the Vibrant Coral Reefs
- Kovalam, Kerala: A One-of-a-Kind Experience in God’s Own Country
- Havelock Island: An Underwater Wonderland
- Neil Island: Immerse Yourself in the Beauty of Coral Reefs
- Cinque Island: A Peaceful Escape, Far From the Hustle
1. Andaman: The Deep Blue Side
The Andaman Islands offer an exhilarating underwater experience, making it one of the top scuba diving destinations in India. With its vibrant corals and crystal-clear waters, the area boasts some of the most spectacular reefs. While exploring, divers may come across turtles, moray eels, manta rays, trevally, and batfish.
- Diving Spots: The Wall, Havelock, and Dixon’s Pinnacle
- Price: The cost is ₹4,500 per person for each dive.
- Scuba Diving Operators: Barefoot, Pugmark Eco Tours, and Experience Andamans are popular tour operators offering incredible experiences in the Andaman Islands.
- Best Time for Diving: The ideal period for scuba diving is from November to mid-April. Most diving excursions are scheduled in the morning for the best visibility and conditions.
- Good to Know: Scuba diving organizers offer certified training courses for beginners, advanced divers, and rescue divers. Training sessions for advanced and rescue divers typically take place after sunset.
2. Lakshadweep: Underwater Delight
Lakshadweep is one of India’s premier scuba diving destinations, providing exciting and adventurous experiences. Dive into the pristine blue lagoons and hidden coves, where you can encounter manta rays, turtles, vibrant fish, and occasionally, even sharks and whales. It promises a one-of-a-kind, unforgettable adventure.
- Diving Spot: Princess Royal, Lost Paradise, Dolphin Reef, Classroom, Fish Soup, and Manta Point are some of the most popular and captivating dive sites in Lakshadweep.
- Cost: The cost of scuba diving in Lakshadweep ranges from ₹4,000 to ₹7,000 per person for a 25-minute underwater adventure.
- Scuba Diving Organisers: Lacadives, Nivalink, and Planet Scuba Diving are well-known operators offering exceptional diving experiences.
- The best time for scuba diving: The best time for scuba diving is October to mid-May, with December to April offering the most ideal conditions for an unforgettable experience.
- Good to Know: Around 200 years ago, a warship sank during a battle between France and England near the famous diving site of Princess Royal in Bangaram. While scuba diving, you might come across remnants of cannons, pottery, and shipwrecks—how thrilling!
3. Goa: Glee! It’s Time For Scuba Diving Here
Scuba diving in Goa is an absolute delight, featuring vibrant corals, schools of colorful fish, and a variety of fascinating marine life. The calm waters and clear visibility make Goa one of the safest places for scuba diving in India.
- Diving Spot: Suzy’s Wreck, Sail Rock, Davy Jones Locker, Grand Island, Shelter Cove, and Turbo Tunnel are some of the top diving sites in Goa, each offering unique underwater experiences.
- Cost: The cost is INR 5,000 per person, which includes training and a single dive.
- Scuba Diving Organisers: Barracuda Diving, Dive Goa, and Elan Adventures are popular operators offering unforgettable scuba diving experiences in Goa.
- Best Time for Diving: From October to mid-May, the best time for scuba diving.
- Good to Know: In Goa, the water temperature is around 28°C, with visibility ranging from 5 to 10 meters. Most diving spots are relatively shallow, with depths between 5 and 15 meters, making them ideal and safe for beginners.
4. Pondicherry: Underwater Break At Pristine Island
Pondicherry is the sole scuba diving destination on India’s eastern coast, offering a unique blend of natural coral reefs, rocky outcrops, man-made ridges, and diverse marine life such as jackfish, sea snakes, manta rays, and fan corals. This combination makes it a perfect spot for both beginners and professional divers, often regarded as one of the best places for scuba diving in India.
- Diving Spots: Cool Shark Reef, Aravind’s Wall, Temple Reef, 4 Corners, Ravines, and The Hole are some of the top diving spots in Pondicherry, offering exciting underwater adventures.
- Cost: The cost ranges from ₹6,500 to ₹8,000 per person, covering two dives in a single day.
- Scuba Diving Organisers: Underwater Break at Pristine Island offers an unforgettable diving experience.
- Temple Adventures and Elan Adventures are well-known scuba diving operators in Pondicherry, offering exceptional diving experiences.
- Best Time for Diving: Scuba diving in Pondicherry is available throughout the year, but the ideal times to dive are from February to April and September to November. It’s important to note that these months are also the peak seasons.
- Good to Know: For the introductory scuba diving sessions, swimming skills are not required. However, to become a licensed diver, you’ll need to be able to swim up to 200 meters.
5. Netrani Island In Karnataka: Witness The Rich Marine Life
Netrani Island, also called Pigeon Island, is a small, heart-shaped island located 10 kilometres from Murudeshwar along the Karnataka coast. This exceptional scuba diving destination is teeming with marine life, including a variety of fish, corals, and humpback whales, with the possibility of encountering whale sharks. One of the most popular dive spots is the Bhatkal shipwreck, situated 25 kilometres from the shore. Netrani is famous for offering some of the best underwater diving experiences in India.
- Diving Spots: Netrani Island in Karnataka – Dive into the vibrant world of rich marine life.
- Cost: ₹4,999 per person for the experience.
- Scuba Diving Organizers: Netrani Adventures offers thrilling diving experiences.
- Best Time for Diving: From mid-September to the end of May.
- Good to know: Netrani Adventures is a PADI-certified resort.
6. Tarkarli In Maharashtra: Enjoy The Colorful Corals
Tarkarli, located near Sindhudurg Fort in Maharashtra, boasts crystal-clear coastal waters teeming with vibrant corals and colourful marine life. Visitors are transported to the dive site by speedboat from Dandi Beach. Diving in Tarkarli is led by experts and offers more of a recreational experience rather than a standard scuba diving adventure.
- Diving Spots: Dive into the world of colourful corals at these remarkable diving spots.
- Cost: The cost is ₹850 per person.
- Scuba Diving Organizers: Shamika Scuba Diving offers incredible diving experiences.
- Best Time for Diving: The ideal period for scuba diving in Tarkarli is from October to April, when the waters are clear, offering perfect conditions for an unforgettable diving experience.
- Good to know: Even non-swimmers can participate in dives at Tarkarli, where divers can explore depths of up to 30 feet underwater.
7. Kovalam In Kerala: A Unique Experience In God’s Own Country
Kovalam in Kerala is rapidly becoming a popular scuba diving destination for tourists. Thanks to Bond Safari, which offers an exciting underwater scooter experience, diving is now available on Kovalam’s beaches. The crystal-clear waters provide an incredible view of diverse marine life, making Kovalam one of India’s most unique and captivating scuba diving spots.
- Diving Spots: Lighthouse Beach and Hawah Beach offer exciting underwater adventures.
- Cost: INR 4500 per person
- Scuba Diving Organizers: Bond Safari and Scuba Cochin Dive Centre offer exceptional diving experiences.
- Best Time for Diving: The ideal period for scuba diving and other water activities in Kovalam is from September to February.
- Good to Know: Kovalam is rapidly emerging as one of India’s premier scuba diving destinations.
8. Havelock Island: A World Underwater
Located 50 km from Port Blair, this stunning island is a must-visit destination in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and a popular scuba diving spot in India. It is renowned for its diverse and exotic marine life, where divers can encounter species such as Humpback Parrotfish, Lionfish, and Soft Corals underwater.
- Diving Spot: Turtle Bay offers an amazing underwater experience.
- Cost: INR 4500 – INR 6000 per person.
- Scuba Diving Organizers: Barefoot Scuba, India Scuba Explorers, Eco Diver, Dive India Outbound, and Ocean Tribe Scuba provide exceptional diving experiences.
- Best Time for Diving: From October to April.
- Good to Know: You could come across species such as Humpback Parrotfish, Lionfish, and Soft Corals during your dive.
9. Neil Island: Dive In And Witness The Coral Beauty
Neil Island, a hidden treasure in the Andaman Islands, provides a peaceful retreat away from the bustle of the main town. Famous for its untouched and secluded beaches, this island is also home to some of India’s best scuba diving spots. The pristine coral reefs here support a rich variety of marine life, making Neil Island one of India’s top destinations for underwater diving.
- Diving Spots: Dive in and explore the coral beauty at these stunning diving spots.
- Cost: INR 3500 – INR 6000 per person.
- Scuba Diving Organizers: K Rock, Bus Stop, and Margherita’s Mischief offer exceptional diving experiences.
- Best Time to Visit: From December to April.
- Good to Know: The coral reef stays pristine, preserving its vibrant and diverse beauty in both flora and fauna.
10. Cinque Island: Away From The Chaos, Amidst The Serenity
Cinque Island is another breathtaking destination in the Andaman Islands that’s a must-visit. Known for its crystal-clear waters, visibility here extends up to 80 feet, making it one of India’s premier scuba diving locations. The island boasts a rich variety of marine life, including black corals and sharks.
- Diving Spots: Escape the chaos, and immerse yourself in the serenity of this divine diving spot.
- Cost: INR 3500 – INR 5000 per person.
- Scuba Diving Organizers: Barefoot Scuba
- Best Time to Visit: December to May.
- Good to Know: The area is inhabited by diverse marine life, black corals, and fierce sharks.
Conclusion
In 2024, India presents some of the most thrilling scuba diving opportunities for divers of all skill levels. From the vibrant marine life of the Andaman Islands to the crystal-clear waters of Goa, there’s a diving destination to match every preference. Whether you’re exploring the pristine lagoons of Lakshadweep, diving into the lush coral reefs of Pondicherry, or uncovering the hidden treasures of Kovalam and Netrani Island, each location offers a one-of-a-kind underwater adventure. With the right safety protocols and certified instructors, these prime spots guarantee a memorable dive into India’s breathtaking marine world.
