Scuba Diving in India

About Scuba Diving

The discovery of a colorful underwater is the most rewarding experience of an Andaman / Nicobar Island holiday. The blue green, turquoise, and aquamarine waters are home for the magical and mysterious underwater world coral reefs, shells and a fantastic variety of marine life. The Andaman Beach resort at Corbyn's Cove offers excellent arrangements for scuba diving expeditions.

Tips About Scuba Diving

While diving there divers should always keep certain safety options in mind. Always dive with a partner, never dive alone, this ensures you that the help is nearby whenever you face danger. Always display a "Diver Below" flags to advise boat drivers and jet skis of your presence. Diving should be done in proper health, so get indulges in this sport only when you are totally fit.

Before planning your diving trip think about all the safety precautions too. The coral areas and lagoons of Andaman / Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands are protected regions. Try not to damage plants, disturb the wildlife and do not leave any garbage behind.

Instructors and experts are present at the dive sites and reserve the right to refrain any participant from undertaking the adventure. A doctor's certificate is required if participants have a heart disease, respiratory or sinus related problems. Minimum age for diving in India is 12 years and will be only at instructor's discretion.

Permits

Most of the islands in Andaman and Lakshadweep are inaccessible and foreign tourists require special permits to enter these islands. It is advisable to carry a few extra passport photographs and copies of your passport, as you would need to submit these to the tourist authorities on arrival, for your permit to visit the islands.

Scuba Diving Gears

The basic diving gears are Masks, Fins, Snorkels and Fins. For enhanced visibility especially under deep water and around corals and comfort, single, two, three and four window masks are the best option. Slip on Fins is ideal for warm water diving, as these fins allow more water to flow over the blade for increased thrust. For a better performance go for strap fins, as they allow a smoother and more powerful kick with less effort.

Scuba Diving Regions in India

Diving is sport that's usually done in the regions, which are least explored and least known. The more secluded a diving destination is, the more adventurous it becomes, as said by the professional divers. The scuba diving and snorkeling adventure in India involves two Tropical Island destinations of the country - Andaman / Nicobar and Lakshwadeep, which have caught the attention of divers from around the world for their remoteness and rich bio-diversity.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Located at the Bay of Bengal which is extended from north to south over an area of more than 700 km. with its 36 inhabited islands. They are a cluster of more than 572 islands, many of which are still uninhabited. The white sand beaches, turquoise waters, coral reefs with lot of marine life including dolphins, turtles and very large fish makes this places one of the exciting holiday destination for water sports lovers. Andaman & Nicobar enjoy the magnificent tropical vegetation flourish with evergreen dense forests of tropical trees and mangrove marshland on the water's edge. Its pristine shimmering water offers its visitors an excellent water sports adventure such as scuba diving, yatching, Snorkeling, Surfing, Island Camping and many more. Not only the water sports, its the best spot to have sight of some rare aves.

Scuba Diving IndiaAE Travels have tried to summerize few of the exciting destinations of Andaman and NIcobar Island for different water sports and other adventerous activities:-
More Details for Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Neil Island

situated at approx 36 kms east of Port Blair with lush green forest and sandy beaches, Neil Island provide an ideal holiday for tourists and water sports junkies. One can also put up camps on the beach. There is excellent snorkeling and scuba diving opportunity to see beautiful corals & exotic marine life.

Havelock Island.

Havelock Island situated about 54 Kms North East of Port Blair is one of the finest Islands in Andamans which commands beautiful sandy beaches, lush green forest and abundant under water coral life. Havelock Island is the best place for scuba diving and snorkelling and provides many options and reason for an eco traveler to stay.

Viper Island

Scuba Diving IndiaThe Viper Island, near Haddo Wharf, is at the mouth of Port Blair harbour is on 69 acres crescent shaped place. Once a full-fledged prison for local and mainland convicts, the Island had a gallows on top of a hillock. The Jail was abandoned after commissioning of cellular Jail. The island serves as a tourist attraction.

Ross Island

Ross Island was the capital of the islands during the British regime. This is situated very close to Port Blair and accessible by boat (15 minutes journey). The island at present houses the ruins of old buildings like Church, Cemetery, Subordinate Club, Farzand Ali store, Hospital, Bakery, Press, Swimming Pool and Water Treatment Plant, all reminiscent of the old British regime. The ruins are being restored now.

Scuba Diving in Goa

Third major scuba diving destination is Goa, sport lovers would be amazed to see a similar kind of marine life that is also found in the islands of Maldives. Another adventure grabbing attention of this destination is the presence of wrecks of Spanish and Portuguese galleons and World War II ships. Grande Island near Goa is a major diving site and for some interesting shallow diving you can check out Malvan Shoal.
More Details for Goa

Scuba Diving in Devbagh, Karwar Beach

A noteworthy beach resort diving site is Devbagh near Karwar Beach in Karnataka, which is having eight dive sites on its islands like Kumaragarh, Anjudeep and Sannyasi that surround Devbagh. Also available over here are advanced scuba diving courses that are run by trainers affiliated to PADI, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors, USA.
More Details for Devbagh