Explore Andaman’s Top 10 Scuba Diving Destinations

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Scuba diving enthusiasts and nature lovers alike find solace in the pristine waters of the Andaman Islands, a tropical paradise nestled in the Bay of Bengal. Famous for its crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, and diverse marine life, Andaman is among the top scuba diving destinations in the world.

The pristine waters in the Andamans are a haven for scuba enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Our journey takes us through three enchanting islands that stand out as the crème de la crème of scuba destinations:

• Havelock Islands or Swaraj Dweep
• Neil Islands
• Port Blair

Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned pro, certified, or just dipping your toes, our list aims to be your ultimate guide to exploring the mesmerising waters of Andaman. In this article, we will embark on an underwater journey, exploring the top 10 scuba diving destinations that make Andaman a diver’s dream come true.

The 10 best destinations for Scuba Diving in Andaman

A. In The Havelock

Havelock Island, the largest in the Andaman archipelago, is a mecca for scuba divers. Radhanagar Beach, consistently ranked among the best beaches globally, serves as the gateway to the island’s underwater wonders. The fringing reefs around Havelock are home to an array of marine life, from colourful coral gardens to majestic sea turtles. Sites like Aquarium and Lighthouse boast diverse ecosystems, making Havelock an ideal destination for both novice and experienced divers.

Swaraj Dweep, formerly , is one of the larger islands in Ritchie’s Archipelago. It is a part of the South Andaman. The island is 41 kilometres northeast of Port Blair, the capital. It is mostly known for its pristine beaches and mangrove forests. But one should also know the following:

1 The Wall

The Wall, a captivating dive site near Havelock Island, offers a depth range from 10 to 55 meters, making it suitable for advanced divers. Starting at 10 meters and descending to the channel between Havelock and Peel Island, the site showcases breathtaking fan corals along its tapering side. At the top of the wall, an array of camouflage organisms like octopus, scorpionfish, and crocodile fish can be spotted. The tapering side of the wall is adorned with beautiful fan corals, creating a visually stunning underwater environment. Common sights include snappers and coral groupers, while larger species like Napoleon wrasse, tunas, and trevally gracefully navigate the waters. However, the changing tides create a strong current, posing a slight challenge for beginners. This unique underwater landscape also reveals hidden nudibranchs nestled in soft corals.

Depth: 10-55 meters

Level: Advance

2 Barracuda City

Situated near Havelock Island, Barracuda City offers divers the opportunity to witness impressive gatherings of barracudas in their natural habitat.

Underwater Experience: The site is characterized by strong currents that bring in nutrient-rich waters, attracting a diverse range of marine life. Divers can expect to encounter not only barracudas but also other species like giant trevallies and reef sharks.

Barracuda City is suitable for advanced divers due to its challenging conditions, including strong currents. Divers should be prepared for varying underwater currents and depths. Various dive operators around Havelock Island organise trips to Barracuda City, providing guided dives to ensure the safety and enjoyment of divers.

With the perfect balance of soft and hard coral populations, the coral belts of Barracuda City are the best diving spots for sea enthusiasts, complete with colourful fish of various types and sightings of spot roving sea turtles close to the corals if you’re lucky.

Avoid picking corals to bring home as a memento when scuba diving. It is strictly forbidden to leave used water bottles, plastic bags, or other waste along the coast. Take the trash back to the shore with you.

Depth: From 25 to 30 metres

Level: Intermediary or expert-level divers

3 Seduction Point, Havelock Island

Seduction Point in Havelock Island unveils an underwater realm reminiscent of rolling hills beneath the sea. At Seduction Point’s core is an impressive underwater rock formation surrounded by a lively array of marine life. Descend into shallow waters to encounter a flourishing community of staghorn corals, where Napoleons add grandeur to the vibrant ecosystem.

The shallow depths of Seduction Point offer a front-row seat to the bustling activity of marine life. Schools of colourful fish dart in and out of the coral formations, creating a dynamic and lively underwater spectacle. The intricate dance of smaller creatures, such as vibrant reef fish and crustaceans, adds to the overall allure of the site.

This captivating dive site accommodates divers of all levels, offering a seductive blend of natural beauty and aquatic adventure in the Andaman Sea.

Depth: 10 to 30 meters

Level: From beginners to intermediaries

B. In the Neil Island

36 km from Port Blair, Neil Islands or Shaheed Dweep is located in the Ritchie’s Archipelago, in South Andaman. It is located between the Havelock and the Rose Island. Known for its richer marine life, it is less crowded compared to the Havelock. Let’s see where you can scuba dive here:

4 Margherita’s Mischief

Explore the captivating underwaters with Margherita’s Mischief in Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep). As one of the three most popular reefs between Neil and Havelock Islands, this dive site offers an enchanting experience for divers of all levels. The underwater landscape includes a long chain of rock mounds extending southward, with a sandy bottom adorned with sea grass, attracting dugongs. Beneath the rocks, a thriving ecosystem awaits, featuring moray eels, octopus, lobsters, shrimps, juvenile pipefish, mantis shrimps, and more.

Depth: 22-52 ft

Level: Suitable for all levels

5 Jetty Channel Marker

Explore the enchanting underwater world at Jetty Channel Marker in Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep). This captivating dive site, suitable for all divers, features a stunning reef around the jetty channel marker. The top starts at 22 feet and descends to a sandy bottom around 36 feet on the sides. Beneath the waves, a concrete pillar adds an intriguing element to the underwater landscape.

The marine life at Jetty Channel Marker is diverse, offering sightings of schools of trevally, angelfish, stingrays, parrotfish, small puffers, triggerfish, juvenile batfish, and scorpionfish. To make the most of your scuba diving adventure, plan your visit from October to April when the weather is pleasant, keeping in mind that diving is subject to wind and sea conditions.

Depth: 22-36 ft

Level: Beginner-Intermediate

6 The Junction

Junction is a captivating dive site located between Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) and Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep). This reef starts at around 72 feet and descends to nearly 98 feet, offering a mesmerising exploration of the deep sea.

Spot underwater wonders such as blue-spotted stingrays, various sea stars, and majestic Napoleon wrasses grace the shallower part of the reef. Pelagic fish, reef sharks, marlin, a large school of trevallies, and barracudas add to the vibrant marine tapestry. The Junction dive site is tailored for intermediate to advanced divers, providing an exhilarating experience amidst moderate to strong currents.

Depth: 72-98 feet

Level: Intermediate-Advanced

C. In Port Blair

Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, is a respectable location for scuba diving. Beautiful living corals that are abundant and protected are visible. Amazing views of the marine life are possible due to the clear clarity under the water’s surface. Port Blair offers scuba diving locations for both swimmers and non-swimmers. Deep-diving in Port Blair might be an excellent choice if you are a beginner. Diving here would also be affordable if you are travelling on a tight budget. Since there are no extra boat or transportation fees at Port Blair, the scuba diving cost is quite low. The best sites are as follows:

7 Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park

Experience the magic of Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park’s underwater world at a diving site called Jolly Buoy, located at Wandoor Beach, 25 km from Port Blair. For scuba divers, it is practically a heaven. over 50 types of corals like Fungia, Pocillopora, Acropora, and Leptoseris. Witness a diverse array of aquatic species, including Clownfish, Surgeonfish, Whitetip Shark, Parrot Shark, Butterflyfish, and Angelfish, transforming the underwater realm into a captivating marine wonderland. The best water sport in the world is scuba diving, and you must learn to do it here, in Port Blair. The best time to visit is from November to April.

8 Rutland Island

Rutland Island is a picturesque gem located at the southern tip of Port Blair, the farthest tip of India. As part of the South Andaman district, Rutland Island spans approximately 110 square kilometres and is renowned for its natural beauty, exciting marine life, and turtle breeding experiences. The island is home to six villages, with Dani Nallah renowned for its memorable marine encounters.

Rutland Island offers a rich representation of marine treasures, with shallow waters teeming with smaller fishes and vibrant corals. Ideal for beginners and adventure enthusiasts alike, the island serves as an excellent training ground for divers. Dive into the crystal-clear waters, reaching depths of around 39 feet, and explore a mesmerizing underwater world adorned with hard corals, sea turtles, pipefishes, eagle rays, and seaweed beds.

Depth: 39 ft

Level: Beginner

9 Corruption Rock

is situated between Chidiya Tapu and Rutland Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This dive site near Port Blair beckons adventurers with its expansive rock formations, gullies, channels, ridges, and canyons. As you explore the western side of this colossal rock descending 98 feet underwater, encounter a vibrant marine ecosystem teeming with giant napoleons, eagle rays, huge snappers, schooling fusiliers, banners, unicorn fish, and more.

Corruption Rock has a diverse aquatic life and unique underwater topography. The rock, partially emerging from the water, serves as a haven for barracuda, giant trevally, giant groupers, humphead parrotfish, green sea turtles, and a multitude of corals covering its face. The site’s strong currents make it ideal for deep dives and photography expeditions.

Depth: 98 ft

Level: Intermediate and advanced

10 Snake Island

Snake Island is a haven for marine enthusiasts with crystal-clear waters and a diverse marine ecosystem. Snake Island offers an idyllic setting for both swimmers and non-swimmers to immerse themselves in the beauty of the ocean. This uninhabited rocky islet, located off Corbyn’s Cove in Port Blair, boasts rich biodiversity and is renowned for its incredible marine life.

The best time to explore Snake Island for an amazing Andaman Islands scuba diving experience is from December to May, when the seas are calm, and visibility is optimal. Whether you’re a solo traveller, a couple, or a group of friends and family, Snake Island provides a delightful scuba diving experience in the Andaman Islands. Witness a myriad of aquatic wonders, including Pisces, Cnidarians, Molluscs, Arthropods, Corals, Triggerfish, Grunts, Goatfish, Rays, and more

Pricing:

Introductory Dives: Prices range from INR 3,000 to INR 5,000 or more for non-certified divers.

Certified Dives: Once you’ve obtained your Open Water Diver certification, you can enjoy dives without incurring additional certification costs. Diving expenses for certified divers typically range from INR 2,500 to INR 4,500 per dive, influenced by factors like the chosen dive site and equipment.

Dive Packages: Operators offer comprehensive dive packages starting from INR 10,000 to INR 20,000 or more. These packages provide cost savings for multiple dives, including perks such as guided tours and equipment discounts.

Scuba Courses: For those seeking to become certified divers, Open Water Diver courses are available, with prices ranging from INR 20,000 to INR 30,000. These courses cover theory, practical training, and essential equipment, ensuring you’re well-prepared for the exciting world of scuba diving.”

Conclusion

In the words of an ancient proverb, “You dive deep to emerge with a pearl.” The journey itself is the pearl, and the Andaman Islands offer the perfect canvas for you to paint your underwater masterpiece. So, whether you seek adventure, tranquillity, or simply the thrill of discovering the unknown, the Andaman Islands stand ready to welcome you into their enchanting waters.

As you plan your scuba diving expedition, remember that the journey is as valuable as the destination. Dive deep, explore, and let the underwater wonders of the Andaman Islands become a cherished chapter in your travel story.

Thomas Cook has thoughtfully curated Andaman tour packages, each tailored to cover the diverse diving destinations across Port Blair, Havelock, and Neil Islands. You can book one here . Book your adventure now and make this November a month to remember!

SOTC