Scuba diving is a life-changing and exciting experience as the sea contains the power to leave you awestruck with all its magic. This time, drop your plan of a road trip and dive into the deep waters to get the taste of a never-before thrilling experience. You will see coral reefs and fascinating species existing underwater.
In order to make sure that your adrenaline rush gets a perfect settlement, here’s a list of the best Scuba diving spots in India:
Best Scuba diving in India
Havelock Islands (Andaman and Nicobar Islands)
Havelock Islands have a world underwater. Andaman is one of the marvelous creations of the Almighty. Located right in the middle of the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal, this archipelago has plenty of stunningly beautiful beaches and scuba diving spots, Havelock Islands being one of the most famous. Situated about 50 km away from Port Blair, the island has a broad range of exotic marine life like Humpback Parrotfish, Lionfish, soft corals, rare dugongs, and schools of colorful fishes. In order to get there, one can get a ferry from Port Blair which would take about 2.5 hours. There are several interesting sites upon arriving there like there is Lighthouse, Aquarium, and Mac Point, etc all with their own unique features. The hotels and resorts are too good, affordable, and up to the mark. Also yes, do not skip taking basic necessities with you like sunscreens, lotions, etc. because these items are not available there. Although the area has ATM’s it might simply be a little more advisable to take some hard cash with you.
Spots: Barefoot Scuba, Andaman Bubbles Scuba Diving, Scuba Lov in Dive Resort, Dive India, India Scuba Explorers, Ocean Dive Centre, Blue Corals Dive, Eco Diver, Dive India Outbound, Ocean Tribe Scuba
Best time to go: The site is at its best during the months between October and April, so that might simply be the time to visit it otherwise the courses are simply high, and additionally there is a factor of monsoons.
Approx Cost: Package rates are between INR 4500- INR 6000.
Booking from: You can book a package from Thrillophilia.
Neil Island (Andaman and Nicobar Islands)
Neil Islands is another part of Andaman which is quite as beautiful albeit with less hustle and bustle that encompasses the Havelock islands. Dive in and witness the coral beauty. It is a small island but a very beautiful one with its yet unexplored beaches, excellent scuba diving spots. The coral reef here is completely secure by outside factors and therefore retains its beauty owing to the rich variety of marine life. There are numerous beach spots like the Jetty area, Margherita’s Mischief, and Laxmanpur Beach.
Spots: Margherita’s Mischief, K Rock, Bus Stop, Junction
Best time to go: The best time to tour this place would be between December and May, again due to the stormy sea in the rest of the year and further due to hurricanes.
Approx Cost: Package rates are between INR 3500- INR 6000
Booking from: You can book a package from Experience Andamans.
Port Blair (Andaman and Nicobar Islands)
The capital city of the Union Territory has the deep blue side for scuba diving. The Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park in Wandoor is a bizarre place reserved to protect the marine flora and fauna. It is definitely a one-of-the-kind place in the country. Brace yourself to view some of the most beautiful sea flowers and of 50 different kinds of corals including Fungia, Pocillopora, Clown fishLeptoseris, etc. You will also see Clownfish, Butterflyfish, Parrotfish, etc.
Spots: Dive Mantra, Maruti Diving School, Experience Andaman, Lacadives
Best time to go: The best time to travel there is between December and April due to the cool seas during that time.
Approx Cost: Package rates are between INR 3500- INR 6000
Booking from: You can book a package from Thrillophilia.
North Point, Cinque Island (Andaman and Nicobar Islands)
Yet another beauty of the Andaman and Nicobar islands, away from the chaos, amidst the serenity this spot has one of the purest waters in the world. Including clarity up to 80 feet, this spot makes for one of the most amazing scuba diving places. Including a variety of corals, sponges, and the rich diversity of the bright and rich marine world, this presents a wonderful visit. The place has a kind of amazing black corals and further ferocious sharks. After arriving at Port Blair, one can go to Cinque Island via a chartered boat.
Spots: Barefoot Scuba
Best time to go: The best time is felt between December and May because the sea is mostly quiet during that time.
Approx Cost: Package rates are between INR 3500- INR 5000
Booking from: You can book a package from India Mart.
Corruption Rock (Andaman and Nicobar Islands)
This really beautiful dive point, between Chidiyatappu and Rutland Island, is a superb dive spot. It primarily consists of rock, about 30 meters in elevation, a bit of it sticking out of water. It is present in between medium to strong current channels which attracts a large variety of flora and fauna. There is an excess of canyons, ridges, and channels undersea which gives the place really different and appends to its unique beauty. This place additionally has many shipwrecks so one can imagine being looking for a treasure underneath. The place is also popular for its unicorn fishes, Napoleon and Eagle rays, etc. The single way of getting there is by ferries that run from Port Blair on a daily basis.
Spots: Lacadives
Best time to go: The best time to travel there is between December and March, due to the more limited rush.
Approx Cost: Package rates are between INR 3500- INR 6000
Booking from: You can book a package from Eternal Andaman.
Grand Island (Goa)
Glee! It’s time for Scuba Diving in Goa. Grand Island in Goa is going to develop your perception of Goa. The Grand Island is a favorite destination for adventure junkies all over the world. Need to experience a beginner’s tryst with the sea or want to push your limits in the strong currents of the sea, worry not, because the Grand Island holds it all. Found few kilometers westwards of the Mormugao peninsula, this place is a refuge for scuba divers. Amongst the most famous sites is Suzy’s Wreck, a British ship sunken in the 1930s due to a strong storm. The ship yet remains at the bottom covered with mussels and corals, growing home for many fishes and crustaceans There is a different shipwreck called Davy Jones Locker not far away, which is a preference among the professional scuba divers. The sea current is very strong here so it is advisable for only professionals and experienced scuba divers. For newcomers, the Uma Gumma Reef would be a fine place to start with its calm waters and a chain of sea creatures like needlefish, lobsters, white tip reef sharks, etc. While one can notice that there are a lot of shipwrecks, the Grand Island is additionally a great place for treasure hunting at places like Suzy’s wreck, Davy Lockers Jones, Uma Gumma Reef, Surge City, Turbo Tunnel, etc. The single way to reach there is by means of a boat or ferry.
Spots: Atlantis Watersports, Goa Diving
Best time to go: The best time would be in November and March because the heat is just right at that time.
Approx Cost: INR 4000 per person
Booking from: You can book a package from Thrillophilia.
Netrani Island (Karnataka)
Witness the rich marine life in Netrani Island, also recognized as Pigeon Island, is found approximately 10 nautical miles from the temple town of Mudreshwar in Bhatkal Taluk. It is a wonderful diving spot, developed in the form of a heart, fondly known as ‘The heart of India’s diving’. It is a coral island and has a coral reef with types of coral, butterflyfish, parrotfish, eels, and shrimps. If you are fortunate enough, you might even notice a whale or orcas. The island is largely uninhabited and due to the perpendicular stones, it is desirable to do diving for a boat. The place is well attached to Goa, Mumbai, Mangalore, and Bengaluru.
Spots: Netrani Adventures, West Coast Adventures, Dive Netrani
Best time to go: The best time to tour will be between December and January because the tide is high in the rest of the time of the year.
Approx Cost: INR 5500- INR 6000 per person
Booking from: You can book a package from Karnataka Tourism.
Kovalam (Kerala)
Kovalam is located in Kerala, at a distance of about 16 km from Thiruvananthapuram. A beach area essentially, it is gradually developing into a famous scuba diving locale since the Bond Safari Kovalam has come there. Rather than using the traditional scuba gear, the firm makes use of what is known as a ‘bond’ submarine, which is essentially an underwater scooter. Moreover, the waters here are very calm, including shoals of anchovy and silver moony, Bluefin trevally, the odd Moray eel, pufferfish, groupers, boxfish, sergeants, pipefish, etc.
Spots: Bond Safari Scuba Diving, Scuba Cochin Dive Centre, Scuba Diving Kovalam
Best time to go: The best time to tour the place would definitely be between December and January because the heat and humidity are just right then.
Approx Cost: Costs higher of INR 20000.
Booking from: You can book a package from Bond Safari Kovalam.
Bangaram (Lakshadweep)
Amidst the crystal clear water, Bangaram is recognized for its serene and peaceful atmosphere. The place is found in the union territory of Lakshadweep islands. The underwater spectacular beauty is just stunning with the continuous coral reef and further has been recognized at par with popular beach countries like Maldives and Mauritius. One also goes to see a lot of barracudas. The evidence that it is one of the cleanest beaches truly elevates its standard. The connectivity is great and one can reach the island by renting a boat from Agatti.
Spots: Laccadives, Aggati Island. Bangarram Island
Best time to go: The best time to tour Bangaram Islands is between October and March due to the calm seas. Simply make sure to carry your passport wherever you travel.
Approx Cost: Ranges from INR 4000- INR 7000.
Booking from: You can book a package from Planet Scuba India.
Kadmat Islands (Lakshadweep)
Kadmat Islands, also known as Cardamom Islands, is a land of tranquility belonging to the union territory of Lakshadweep. It is home to marine turtles and other fascinating marine species. There are additionally different species of live coral. Turquoise waters and white sands actually give this place look heavenly. The place is welcoming for foreign tourists, one simply requires to keep his/her passport handy.
Spots: Laccadives
Best time to go: The best time to tour is from November to March due to the calm sea at that time.
Approx Cost: Ranges from INR 6000.
Booking from: You can book a package from Kadmat.
Coral Sharks Reef (Puducherry)
Coral Sharks Reef is so named because it has a depth of the sea that ranges from 5m to 23m which allows both beginners as well as experts to experience the beautiful sites. Plus the seafloor is porous in nature and the coral reefs are beautiful.
Spots: Cool Shark Reef, Temple Reef, The Hole, 4 Corners
Best time to go: The best time to tour this place is perhaps during March and October when the waters are calm and cool.
Approx Cost: Ranges from INR 3500- INR 6000.
Booking from: You can book a package from Avathi.
The Aravind Wall (Puducherry)
The Aravind Wall is located 15 km offshore. One can view a number of different and different sea creatures like lionfish, butterflyfish, and including a diversity of sea snakes. If one is lucky, one can likewise observe the Honeycomb Moray Eel in the Wall. The place is conveniently attached to airways.
Spots: Temple Adventures
Best time to go: The best time to tour this place is between December and March when the temperature is appropriate and the seas are calm.
Approx Cost: Ranges from INR 3500- INR 6000.
Booking from: You can book a package from Dive.Site.
4 Corners (Puducherry)
4 Corners is ideal for open water divers. Sheltered by palm trees, the area has a great number of different marine species. The depth of the place can reach up to 18 m which allows deep-sea diving too. It has got different species like lionfishes, dolphins, etc.
Spots: Temple Adventures
Best time to go: The best time to tour this place would be during October and March due to the rush in the rest of the seasons.
Approx Cost: Ranges from INR 3500- INR 6000.
Booking from: You can book a package from Avathi.
The Hole (Puducherry)
The hole is one of those places where only the hardcore scuba diving fans would dare go. To begin with, the depth is about 30m in the central space that is almost twice as deep as the other diving sites, then there is the spooky darkness taking care of which one has got to take a flashlight or any lighting equipment with them. So if you are one of those fearlessly advanced divers, this place is a refuge for you. One might also spot some rare unknown creature.
Spots: Temple Adventures
Best time to go: The place is open in the months of December and March due to temperature issues and the currents being too high.
Approx Cost: Ranges from INR 3500- INR 6000.
Booking from: You can book a package from Avathi.
Scuba diving in India surely is one of the most interesting and enjoyable activities that one could try. But, despite the thought of breathing underwater can be scary to some, and be sure to keep your safety in mind. You can also check out some of the most beautiful train routes in India by clicking here.
