Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Best Time to Dive
- Top Cities and Dive Places
- Tourist Circuits for Divers
- Activities and Courses
- Festivals and Events
- Sample Itineraries
- Budget and Costs
- How to Reach
- Where to Stay
- Local Experiences: Food, Shopping, Culture
- Tips for Different Travelers
- Safety and Eco-Responsibility
- FAQs
- Conclusion
Introduction
Scuba diving in the Andaman Islands is about gin-clear water, thriving coral gardens, and the thrill of drifting beside pelagics on remote seamounts. From beginner-friendly reefs off Havelock to legendary advanced sites near Barren Island, this Indian Ocean archipelago offers world-class variety with warm tropical seas and relaxed island vibes.
Best Time to Dive
October to May is generally the best window, with the calmest seas and most reliable visibility from January to April.
- Peak conditions: Jan–Apr (20–40 m visibility common at exposed sites).
- Shoulder seasons: Oct–Dec and May (good diving; occasional showers or wind).
- Monsoon: Late May/June–Sept can bring rough seas; some boats/routes may be suspended.
Water temperature typically ranges 27–30°C year-round. Plan 18–24 hours no-fly time after your last dive.
Top Cities and Dive Places
Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) – The all-rounder hub
- Best for: First-timers, courses, and seasoned divers chasing pinnacles.
- Signature sites: Dixon’s Pinnacle, Johnny’s Gorge, The Wall, Lighthouse (popular as a night dive), Aquarium, Pilot Reef, Minerva Ledge.
- Who should dive: All levels; currents moderate to strong on offshore pinnacles (advanced).
- Typical viz/depth: 10–30 m; 6–30+ m depths depending on site.
Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) – Gentle reefs and glassy shallows
- Best for: Photographers, beginners, relaxed reef dives.
- Signature sites: Margherita’s Mischief, Junction, Nursery, Bus Stop.
- Who should dive: DSD/beginners to advanced; mellow conditions common.
- Typical viz/depth: 10–25 m; 5–18 m depths at many reefs.
Port Blair & Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park
- Best for: Short stays, accessible diving, combined day trips.
- Signature sites: North Bay Reef (Port Blair), Jolly Buoy & Red Skin (MG Marine National Park; seasonal access).
- Who should dive: Beginners and casual divers; great for snorkel combos.
- Typical viz/depth: 8–20 m; 5–15 m depths.
Ritchie’s Archipelago – South/Middle/North Button Islands
- Best for: Pristine coral gardens, schooling fish, turtles.
- Signature sites: South Button’s sloping reefs; Middle/North Button bommies.
- Who should dive: Certified divers; often boat-only full-day trips.
- Typical viz/depth: 15–30 m; 8–25 m depths.
Cinque Islands – Dramatic topography
- Best for: Crystal water, colourful soft corals, wide-angle vistas.
- Who should dive: Intermediate to advanced due to exposure and currents.
- Typical viz/depth: 15–30 m; 10–30 m depths.
Rutland Island – Training-friendly shallows
- Best for: Confined water sessions, easy reef dives, macro.
- Who should dive: DSD and Open Water students; macro enthusiasts.
- Typical viz/depth: 8–15 m; 3–12 m depths.
Long Island & Surrounds
- Best for: Less-visited reefs, chilled pace.
- Signature ideas: Fringing reefs and bommie fields; check locally for current site access.
- Who should dive: Certified divers seeking quieter sites.
- Typical viz/depth: 10–25 m; 8–20 m depths.
North Andaman (Rangat–Diglipur) – Wild and rewarding
- Best for: Adventurous divers; fewer crowds, big-fish possibilities.
- Signature areas: Kalipur, Ross & Smith area, North Reef.
- Who should dive: Advanced divers comfortable with currents and long boat runs.
- Typical viz/depth: 10–30 m; variable due to exposure.
Barren Island – Bucket-list volcano dives
- Best for: Dramatic drop-offs, pelagics, rays, possible sharks; unique volcanic substrate.
- Access: Weather-dependent charters/liveaboards; advanced certification and experience required.
- Typical viz/depth: 20–40 m; 15–40 m depths; currents can be strong.
Tourist Circuits for Divers
- Classic 5–6 days: Port Blair → Havelock (3–4 nights) → Neil (1–2 nights) → Port Blair.
- North Explorer 7–9 days: Port Blair → Havelock (2–3 nights) → Rangat/Mayabunder → Diglipur (2–3 nights) → Port Blair.
- Advanced/Barren Focus 6–8 days: Port Blair staging → weather window for Barren/Cinque/Button day trips or short liveaboard, plus Havelock pinnacles.
Activities and Courses
- Discover Scuba Diving (DSD): 1 day; age 10+; shallow instructor-led dives.
- Open Water Course (SSI/PADI): 3–4 days; global certification to 18 m.
- Advanced Adventurer/Advanced Open Water: 2–3 days; skills like deep (to 30 m), navigation, night.
- Specialties: Nitrox, Deep, Drift, Photography; durations vary.
- Fun Dives: For certified divers; 1–3 dives/day; night dives often available at Lighthouse/Havelock.
- Snorkelling & Freediving: Superb on Neil, South Button, Jolly Buoy; check currents and supervision.
Festivals and Events
- Island Tourism Festival (Port Blair, typically Jan): Cultural shows, food, handicrafts.
- Local beach fairs and Subhash Mela observances occur seasonally in various islands.
- Dive community clean-ups and photography meetups happen periodically via local operators.
Sample Itineraries
3 Days – First-Time Diver
- Day 1: Arrive Port Blair; city highlights; sunset at Corbyn’s Cove.
- Day 2: Early ferry to Havelock; DSD session + reef dive; evening at beach cafes.
- Day 3: Snorkel/second DSD or beach time; ferry back to Port Blair; no-fly buffer overnight.
5 Days – Open Water Course
- Day 1: Port Blair arrival → Havelock.
- Days 2–4: Open Water academics + confined + 4 open water dives.
- Day 5: Two fun dives or a relaxed morning; return to Port Blair for flight next day.
7 Days – Certified Diver Highlights
- Days 1–3: Havelock pinnacles (Dixon’s, Johnny’s) + Lighthouse night dive.
- Days 4–5: Neil Island reefs (Margherita’s, Junction) and chill beaches.
- Days 6–7: South Button/Cinque day trip if weather allows; buffer before flying.
8–10 Days – Advanced Adventure
- Havelock staging + advanced dives → weather window for Barren Island or North Andaman expedition with an experienced operator.
Budget and Costs
Indicative per-person costs (INR) to help plan. Prices vary by season, operator, inclusions, and fuel surcharges.
- DSD (beginner experience): 3,500–7,500 (shore vs boat, photos/video extra).
- Fun dives (certified): 3,500–4,800 per dive incl. tanks/weights/gear; packages reduce cost.
- Open Water course: 20,000–28,000; Advanced: 18,000–24,000; Nitrox specialty: 8,000–15,000 (excl. fills).
- Day trips (Buttons/Cinque): 8,000–15,000 per diver depending on distance.
- Barren Island charter: Often 12,000–20,000+ per diver for day boats; multi-day liveaboards higher.
- Accommodation/night: Budget 1,000–3,000; Mid-range 3,000–8,000; Premium 9,000–25,000+.
- Meals: 300–800 per person per meal at casual spots; more at resorts.
- Ferries: Govt ferries ~150–700; private catamarans ~1,200–3,000 one way (route/season dependent).
How to Reach
- By Air: Fly to Port Blair (IXZ) from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad (direct/connecting).
- By Sea: Infrequent government passenger ships from Chennai, Kolkata, Vizag (multi-day; book well in advance).
- Inter-island: Government ferries and private catamarans (Makruzz, Green Ocean, Nautika) connect Port Blair–Havelock–Neil; schedules can change with weather.
- Permits: Indian citizens don’t need special permits for open tourist areas. Foreign nationals can visit notified open islands without a Restricted Area Permit for tourism; passport/visa required. Some islands remain restricted—always verify current rules before travel.
Where to Stay
Havelock
- Budget: Beach huts and hostels near Govind Nagar/Beach No. 2–3.
- Mid-range: Cottage resorts along Beach No. 5 (Vijaynagar) with in-house dive shops.
- Premium: Boutique and luxury resorts on Radhanagar/Vijaynagar with quiet fronts.
Neil
- Budget–Mid: Small resorts/cabanas near Bharatpur/Laxmanpur beaches.
- Premium: Seafront villas with reef access; limited inventory—book early in peak months.
Port Blair
- Convenient stays for late arrivals/early ferries; options from city hotels to seaside properties near Aberdeen Bazaar and Marina Park.
Local Experiences: Food, Shopping, Culture
- Food: Fresh seafood thalis, tandoori fish, South Indian staples, Bengali sweets; beachside cafes in Havelock and Neil serve global fare.
- Cafes: Post-dive brunch spots around Beach No. 5 (Havelock) and Bharatpur (Neil).
- Shopping: Aberdeen Bazaar (Port Blair) for spices, local art, and handicrafts.
- Responsible souvenirs: Avoid corals, shells, turtle products—collection/trade is illegal. Choose textiles, spices, carved wood, and packaged treats.
- Culture: A diverse settler community coexists with protected Indigenous tribes. Do not attempt visits or photography of tribal reserves; respect all restrictions.
Tips for Different Travelers
Families
- Minimum age for DSD is typically 10; snorkelling available for younger kids with vests.
- Choose shorter boat rides and calm sites (Neil, sheltered Havelock reefs).
- Pack reef-safe sunscreen, rash guards, motion-sickness meds, and snacks.
Honeymooners
- Opt for boutique stays and sunset beaches (Radhanagar, Laxmanpur).
- Book private dive guides or couple DSD sessions; consider a night dive if certified.
- Plan a buffer day for relaxation before flights.
Friends/Groups
- Save with multi-dive packages and shared transfers.
- Mix advanced pinnacles (Dixon’s/Johnny’s) with a chill Buttons/Cinque day.
- Nightlife is low-key; lean into beach bonfires and stargazing.
Packing & Practicalities
- Essentials: Certification card/logbook, dive computer, reusable bottle, dry bag, microfiber towel.
- Connectivity: 4G has improved but can be patchy; download e-tickets offline.
- Money: ATMs limited; carry cash alongside UPI/cards. Some remote trips are cash-preferred.
Safety and Eco-Responsibility
- Health: Disclose medical conditions; get fit-to-dive clearance if indicated. Hydrate well.
- Briefings: Listen to your dive pro; practice equalization; maintain buoyancy to protect reefs.
- No-touch: Do not touch or stand on coral; keep distance from turtles/sharks; avoid feeding wildlife.
- Sunscreen: Use reef-safe, mineral-based products; apply 20+ minutes before water entry.
- No-fly: Observe 18–24 hours no-fly after diving; avoid high-altitude travel during this time.
- Insurance: Consider dive insurance (e.g., providers offering hyperbaric coverage).
- Emergency: Hyperbaric facilities are available in Port Blair; operators coordinate in emergencies.
- Weather: Itineraries may shift with wind/sea state—stay flexible.
FAQs
Q: I’ve never dived before. Is Andaman good for beginners?
A: Yes. Havelock and Neil offer calm, shallow reefs perfect for Discover Scuba and Open Water courses, with clear water and abundant marine life.
Q: What certification do I need for Barren Island?
A: Advanced certification with recent logged dives, strong buoyancy, and comfort in currents is typically required. Operators may ask for minimum dive counts.
Q: Can I dive during monsoon?
A: Some sheltered sites may operate in shoulder monsoon, but rough seas and reduced visibility are common. Many long-range trips pause—check conditions with local operators.
Q: How many days do I need for an Open Water course?
A: Usually 3–4 days, including theory, confined practice, and four open water dives. Pre-completing eLearning can save time on island.
Q: Are night dives available?
A: Yes, commonly around Havelock (e.g., Lighthouse) for certified divers, subject to weather and operator policy.
Conclusion
The Andaman Islands blend warm seas, healthy coral, and a spectrum of dives from beginner-friendly reefs to advanced volcanic walls. With reliable conditions between October and May, accessible hubs like Havelock and Neil, and ambitious day trips to Buttons, Cinque, or Barren, the archipelago suits every diver’s wishlist. Plan with weather in mind, respect local regulations and marine life, and allow no-fly buffers for a smooth, memorable dive holiday.
