Table of Contents
- History, Importance, and Why Mayabunder for Advanced Diving
- Best Time to Take Advanced Courses
- Course Options and Curriculum
- Dive Sites and Conditions Around Mayabunder
- Top Things to Do Beyond the Course
- How to Reach Mayabunder
- Accommodation Options
- Estimated Costs and Sample Budget
- Nearby Attractions and Day Trips
- Local Experiences: Food, Shopping, Culture
- Tips for Different Travelers
- Responsible Diving, Permits, and Safety
- What to Pack
- FAQs
- Conclusion
Dreaming of crystal-clear waters, thriving reefs, and quiet bays while leveling up your skills? Advanced diving courses in Mayabunder, tucked in the North & Middle Andaman Islands, offer a serene alternative to busier hubs like Havelock. Expect healthy corals, fewer boats, and a back-to-nature training environment ideal for deep, navigation, drift, and night dives.
History, Importance, and Why Mayabunder for Advanced Diving
Mayabunder was long overshadowed by southern Andaman dive centers, but its reefs have stayed remarkably pristine thanks to lighter traffic. As interest in the North Andamans grew, instructors began running seasonal courses here, using sheltered reefs near Avis Island and Karmatang Bay for training and venturing into channels for advanced skills.
- Why it’s great for Advanced: Low crowds, diverse topography (slopes, bommies, sandy patches), and occasional current make it ideal for the AOW curriculum and specialties.
- Conservation value: Healthy hard and soft coral gardens with good fish biomass reinforce buoyancy control and no-touch skills.
- Real-world conditions: Gentle to moderate currents, changing visibility, and remote logistics sharpen your planning and safety mindset.
Best Time to Take Advanced Courses
- Peak dive season: December to April — calmer seas, better visibility (15–30 m), water ~27–29°C.
- Shoulder months: October–November and late April–May — good chances of clear days; occasional squalls.
- Monsoon: Late May/June to September — rough seas can limit boat access and training; plan flexibly.
- Marine life highlights: Schooling fusiliers, snappers, trevallies; macro like nudibranchs and shrimps; turtles appear around reefs.
Course Options and Curriculum
Offerings and schedules vary by season and operator. Expect the following standard pathways:
Advanced Open Water Diver (AOW)
- Duration: 2–3 days, 5 training dives.
- Prerequisite: Open Water certification; age 12+ for Junior AOW.
- Core dives: Deep (to 30 m for adults) and Underwater Navigation.
- Electives (typical in Mayabunder): Peak Performance Buoyancy, Night, Drift, Boat, Naturalist, or Digital Imaging (conditions permitting).
Specialty Courses (common availability)
- Deep Diver: 2–4 dives; enhanced planning, gas management, narcosis awareness.
- Enriched Air (Nitrox): Classroom and practical analysis; extends no-deco limits on suitable profiles.
- Drift Diver: Techniques for channel and current dives; SMB mastery.
- Navigation / Night / PPB: Precision skills ideal for local reef terrain.
Note: Availability depends on instructor presence, boats, and permits. Confirm course language, materials, and certification agency before you travel.
Dive Sites and Conditions Around Mayabunder
Operators typically use nearby, relatively sheltered reefs for training and venture into channels when conditions are right.
- Avis Island reefs: Patch reefs with sandy interludes — perfect for skills, navigation, and buoyancy work.
- Karmatang Bay: Fringing reefs with occasional gentle currents; night dives possible when seas are calm.
- Channel/strait sites (seasonal): Selected channels in the North & Middle Andamans can offer mild to moderate drift conditions for advanced practice. Access varies by weather and permits.
Typical conditions:
- Visibility: 10–25 m (better in peak season).
- Sea state: Calm to moderate; occasional surface chop.
- Currents: Mild in bays; stronger in channels — ideal for drift modules when safe.
Caution: Some protected areas require permissions, and not all sites are suitable for training year-round. Your instructor will choose the day’s sites based on conditions and safety.
Top Things to Do Beyond the Course
- Snorkel at Avis Island: Clear, shallow sections offer relaxed post-course exploration.
- Sunset at Karmatang Beach: Wide sandy arc, turtle nesting season typically peaks around winter months.
- Boat ride to Alfred Caves (tide-dependent): Limestone formations and mangrove channels (non-diving). Check local guidance.
- Birding in mangroves: Early mornings reward patient spotters near creeks.
How to Reach Mayabunder
- By air + road: Fly to Port Blair (IXZ). Drive ~240–260 km to Mayabunder via the Andaman Trunk Road (8–10 hours, depending on stops and road works). Shared jeeps, government/private buses, and hired cabs operate.
- By ferry: Government ferries link Port Blair–Rangat–Mayabunder on select days; schedules change and may be seasonal. Buy tickets in advance locally.
- From Diglipur (north): Road transfer ~3–4 hours; limited local buses and cabs.
Tip: Plan a buffer day before and after your course for weather, ferry changes, and no-fly time after diving.
Accommodation Options
- Budget (guesthouses/homestays): Simple rooms near Mayabunder town; fan/AC options; limited on-site dining.
- Government tourist lodges (if operational): Basic, functional stays sometimes near Karmatang; book early.
- Mid-range: A few boutique or beach-adjacent properties; availability fluctuates by season.
Amenities like hot water, reliable Wi‑Fi, and card payments are not universal. Carry cash/UPI backup and confirm inclusions (breakfast, transfers) before arrival.
Estimated Costs and Sample Budget
Typical per-person estimates (INR):
- AOW course fee: ₹25,000–35,000 (materials, instructor, certification; ask if gear is included)
- Gear rental (if not included): ₹0–5,000 for course duration
- Boat fuel/site logistics surcharges: ₹3,000–8,000 (varies by distance and days out)
- Specialty course (each): ₹12,000–20,000
- Permits/park fees (if applicable): ₹0–500 per day
- Accommodation: ₹1,200–2,000 (budget) or ₹3,000–6,000 (mid-range) per night
- Meals: ₹500–1,200 per day
- Transfers (Port Blair–Mayabunder roundtrip): ₹2,000–8,000 depending on mode
3–4 day course trip ballpark: ₹45,000–85,000 per person excluding flights, depending on comfort level and specialties chosen.
Nearby Attractions and Day Trips
- Rangat: Dhani Nallah mangrove boardwalk and Ambkunj Beach (south of Mayabunder).
- Interview Island (permit-dependent): Remote wildlife reserve area; tours are limited and regulated.
- Diglipur: Ross & Smith Islands sandbar; Saddle Peak trek (north of Mayabunder).
Local Experiences: Food, Shopping, Culture
- Food: Bengali-style fish curry, grilled reef fish (sustainably sourced), crab and prawn dishes; simple thalis in town eateries.
- Cafes: Limited; many lodgings offer homestyle meals — pre-order when possible.
- Shopping: Small markets for spices, coconuts, and everyday essentials. Avoid buying corals/shells; it’s illegal.
- Culture: Settler communities from mainland India create a mix of festivals and cuisines; respect local customs and dress modestly in villages.
Tips for Different Travelers
Families
- Choose sheltered training days; confirm minimum age and supervision for Junior AOW.
- Bring snacks, sun protection, and seasickness remedies for kids.
Honeymooners
- Pick quieter weekdays for private or small-group dives.
- Add a night dive and a relaxed snorkel sunset at Karmatang.
Friends/Groups
- Ask for group discounts and ensure enough sets of well-sized gear.
- Plan a rest day for exploring caves/mangroves post-course.
Packing & Safety Highlights
- Carry your own mask/snorkel and a comfortable mouthpiece; sizes may be limited.
- Dive insurance (with evacuation cover) is strongly recommended.
- Observe 18–24 hours no-fly time after your last dive.
Responsible Diving, Permits, and Safety
- Permits: General tourist travel to Mayabunder is allowed; certain protected areas require special permissions. Your operator will advise current rules.
- Environmental ethics: No touching/standing on coral, no feeding fish, no collection of shells or marine life.
- Emergency readiness: Confirm oxygen kit, first-aid, radio/phone on board, and emergency action plan. The nearest recompression chamber is in Port Blair; plan conservative profiles.
- Operator checks: Instructor-to-student ratios, boat safety, and pre-dive briefings should be clear and thorough.
What to Pack
- Certification cards and logbook
- Mask, snorkel, rash guard/3 mm shorty, reef-safe sunscreen (zinc-based)
- Safety sausage/SMB, dive computer if you have one
- Dry bag, microfiber towel, hat, polarized sunglasses
- Motion-sickness tablets, personal medications, basic first-aid
- Cash/UPI backup; connectivity can be patchy
FAQs
Q: Can I complete the full Advanced Open Water course entirely in Mayabunder?
A: Often yes during the main season, but instructor and boat availability in Mayabunder is limited. Some students do theory and initial dives elsewhere (Port Blair or Havelock) and finish modules in Mayabunder. Confirm your plan in advance.
Q: Is Nitrox available in Mayabunder?
A: Enriched Air (Nitrox) training is commonly offered, but cylinder supply and analyzers may be limited seasonally. Pre-book to ensure availability.
Q: What visibility and conditions should I expect?
A: Peak season visibility is typically 15–30 m on good days, with mild to moderate currents depending on the site. Conditions can change quickly; flexible scheduling helps.
Q: Are there strong currents suitable for drift specialties?
A: Select channels around the North & Middle Andamans can have currents appropriate for training when conditions align. Drift dives are scheduled only when safe and permitted.
Q: Do I need prior deep diving experience?
A: No. The AOW Deep dive is part of the course and introduces you to deeper profiles under direct instructor supervision. You should already be comfortable with basic buoyancy and finning from Open Water.
Conclusion
Advanced diving courses in Mayabunder combine skill-building with the calm, uncrowded charm of the North & Middle Andamans. Clearer peak-season waters, low-traffic reefs, and practical training scenarios make it a rewarding place to earn AOW and specialties. Plan for seasonal logistics, verify operator availability, and keep your schedule flexible to match conditions for a safe, memorable progression in your dive journey.
