The Indian Ocean around the Andaman Islands is teeming with marine life and filled with healthy, natural coral reefs. The many islands and soft sandy beaches make it a perfect tropical destination for scuba diving beginners or those looking to upgrade their certification or do some Fun Dives. Diving in Port Blair and diving in Havelock Island are the most popular, but there are also other smaller islands where a dive is a wonderful experience. The extensive marine ecosystem makes this one of the best spots for scuba diving in India.
The Andaman Islands are renowned throughout the world because of their pristine forests and sandy shores. However, thanks to the diverse and exotic marine life, they've also become one of the world's top scuba diving destinations.
The water around the islands is home to a gorgeous variety of fish species including humphead parrotfish, white-banded shrimp, peacock mantis, manta ray, clownfish, etc. Additionally, there are also immense colonies of corals that flourish on the sea bed which include some rare corals such as black coral, fire corals, gorgonians, etc.
When you go scuba diving, you have around 40-50 min before your oxygen runs out. This is more than enough time to enjoy a long dive experience, but the maximum depth will depend on your certification level and experience. If you are doing a Try Dive/Discover Dive or PADI Scuba Diver course, then the deepest you'll go is up to 40 feet. For the PADI Open Water Diver, you get to dive as deep as 60 feet, and for the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver, you can go as deep as 100 feet.
The packages start with Try Dive/Discover Scuba Dive. These are for absolute beginners who aren't sure if they want to commit to a full-time scuba diving course yet. These are single day trips that will teach you the basics of scuba diving. Some packages also offer pool training sessions to instil confidence in the divers. These packages are the perfect way to experiment with the world of scuba diving.
Once you decide to do more scuba diving, you can start with the scuba diving courses in Andamans. This starts with the basic PADI/SSI Scuba Diver course. This is a 2 day scuba diving course that offers 2 open water dives, as deep as 40 feet. Upon successfully completing the course, you're awarded with the PADI Scuba Diver certification.
However, if you have an extra day, it is recommended that you go for the PADI Open Water Diver course. This is a 3 day course which offers 4 open water dives up to a depth of 60 feet. This course is more extensive than PADI Scuba Diver course and perfect for those who are serious about scuba diving.
The next course is the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course. This course takes you as deep as 100 feet with 5 open water dives, 2 of which are specialized navigation and deep dives, and the remaining three being electives of your choice. With this certification, you are eligible to dive without an instructor, although you always have to take a dive buddy.
And finally, there are Fun Dives for divers who are already certified and just want to explore the exotic waters of the Andaman islands.
For scuba diving in the Andamans, the prices range from INR 3500 to INR 6000 for Try Dives. For Discover Scuba Diving in Andaman, the price ranges from INR 5000 to INR 10,000. The price for these day trips depend on the location of the dive site, equipment provided, type of dive (shore or boat) and if meals are included or not.
For scuba diving courses in Andamans, the price starts from INR 19000 to INR 23000 for the PADI Scuba Diver course. For PADI Open Water Diver course, the cost ranges between INR 22,000 to INR 30,000 and the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course ranges from INR 20,000 to INR 28,000.
Some of the factors that affect the scuba diving prices in Andamans are: insurance, meals that are provided, the number of dives and type of dives (shore or boat), and if pool training is provided.
When you’re not diving, there’s plenty of things to do in the Andaman. Explore beaches, go for ocean treks, go kayaking or snorkelling, or relax with a swim. Get detailed information about other adventure activities in Havelock Island here.
You can also check out glass bottom boats, sea walks, kayaking, and more in Port Blair. Find out information about adventures in Port Blair here.
Whatever you’re doing in the Andaman, you should find a comfortable place to stay. Choose from a range of accommodation options, from budget huts to luxurious air-conditioned cottages. Look for accommodation that is located on the beaches, so you can stay close to the sea at all times.
The best time for diving in Andaman is from December/January to May/mid-June, when the sea is calm and the visibility is good. Towards April and May, the weather warms up, making your experience a tropical dream.
Avoid going during the monsoon months of late June, July and August, unless you’re an experienced diver who won’t be deterred by some rough water. You can also head out after the monsoons, but you’ll be risking a few showers and altered plans.
For your trip, all you need is comfortable swimwear and a bottle of sunscreen. The operator will provide all the equipment you need. Read our blog Scuba 101 to understand what equipment you’ll be given. Carry long sleeved clothing, a pair of sunglasses and a cap for the sunny boat rides out to your dive spot.
Day 1: Check-in at the campsite
You have to report at the dive centre at 08:00 hrs, where you'll collect your gear then you'll be transferred to the dive site by a boat. There, you'll engage in two open water dives. Upon completion, you'll return to the dive centre. The trip ends here.
Transfer by boat to dive site| One 20-25 minute shallow water training session with underwater breathing exercises | Two Discover Scuba Dives of 45-50 mins duration each | Dive instructor | Certificate for your Discover Scuba Dive upon successful completion | All scuba diving equipment | Photos/videos of your scuba dive | All applicable taxes
Any food or beverages | Accommodation of any kind | Insurance | Personal expenses | Any additional expenses incurred due to illness, injury, medical emergency evacuations, weather emergencies | Anything not mentioned in the inclusions
Winter and summer season is the best time to go scuba diving in Andaman. During the winter months, the weather is cool and breezy, and during summer months, the weather warms up and the place transforms into a tropical paradise. During these two seasons, the waters are generally calm with good visibility. During the monsoon season, the seas can get a bit rough so this season is only recommended for experienced divers.
You don’t need to know how to swim for a Try Dive, but if you want to do a PADI or SSI course, it is a requirement. You’ll need to pass a swimming test of 200 metres, and 10 minutes floating.
27-03-2020
The coordinators are extremely helpful. They go to extra lengths for helping you in figuring out where do you want to go and will be there with you at every step whenever you need them. Amazing service, I wanted to book a last minute ticket, I didn't think I'd get any good treks, but they sorted me out. Highly recommended.
27-03-2020
The team is great. They properly guide you so that you can make the most out of your trip. They are very helpful and quick in resolving any of your queries. And the trip was amazing too. The way it was all planned was great. We didn't have to worry about anything. The guides with us on the trek were also very cooperative. The team makes sure that you have everything you need. Recommended 10/10 ❤️
27-03-2020
Trekking on new year's eve was an amazing experience. Adding to that thanks to the great next for making the overall experience wonderful. Supportive staff, good guides and the facilities were also nice. Keep up the good work
27-03-2020
On trek best arrangement what can be offered.
07-01-2121
We recently did the night kayaking trip with Tanaz in Havelock and I have no words to describe the experience.. Happened to randomly click a link which led me to the Great Next and boy am I glad it did! I was always obsessed with watching bioluminscent plankton and had done lots of research on it before going to Maldives but people said it was too rare a phenomenon to be confirmed. However, here maybe thanks to the mangroves or Tanaz's love for the bioluminescence, we found them here in abundance.. I was so skeptical at first when they said you will most definitely see it coz I had heard such opposite feedback from other places in the past, but they are absolutely right.. We saw the bioluminescence throughout our kayaking trip and it was definitely one of our best experiences in life! Please trust the Great Next and Tanaz blindly in organising this trip for you and I assure you you will not be disappointed.. Tanaz only plans this trip during specific time periods to make sure everyone sees this magical phenomenon so be sure to trust her dates and just go with it!
07-01-2121
The coordinators are extremely helpful. They go to extra lengths for helping you in figuring out where do you want to go and will be there with you at every step whenever you need them. Amazing service, I wanted to book a last minute ticket, I didn't think I'd get any good treks, but they sorted me out. Highly recommended.
07-01-2121
The team is great. They properly guide you so that you can make the most out of your trip. They are very helpful and quick in resolving any of your queries. And the trip was amazing too. The way it was all planned was great. We didn't have to worry about anything. The guides with us on the trek were also very cooperative. The team makes sure that you have everything you need. Recommended 10/10 ❤️
07-01-2121
Trekking on new year's eve was an amazing experience. Adding to that thanks to the great next for making the overall experience wonderful. Supportive staff, good guides and the facilities were also nice. Keep up the good work
07-01-2121
On trek best arrangement what can be offered.
The easiest way to travel to Andaman is by flight. There is an airport at Port Blair which is connected to major cities of India like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Chennai, etc. Regular flights fly to Port Blair from these cities.
The operator will provide you with the scuba suit but you'll need to wear a swimsuit/bikini/swimming trunks under the wetsuit. While you're not diving, you can wear comfortable beachwear and sandals.
For scuba diving in Andaman, the tour operator will provide all the scuba diving equipment including a diving suit. All you need to carry is swimwear and sunscreen
You need basic fitness for scuba diving in Andaman. If you're going for a try dive/discover dive, then you don't even need to know swimming. However, if you're opting for a PADI/SSI scuba diving course in Andamans, then you need to pass a swimming test of 200 meters and 10 min floating to be eligible for the course.