Enough of land! Ditch the roads and taste some waters this time. Goa party is passe. The upcoming season calls for a dive into the turquoise and deep blue waters of the Andaman and Lakshadweep islands. Yes, you guessed it right. We are talking scuba, and obviously with a list of top spots to hit for scuba diving in India.
Zindagi Milegi Na Dobara glamorized Scuba Diving the way it should be. Quiet of the underwaters, its colorful marine life, and a soul-surfing experience, Scuba really transports you to a different world. Swimming underwater with SCUBA or Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus is fun, thrilling and experience of a lifetime. Now, non-swimmers do not get upset. Scuba diving does not require swimming competency!
About Scuba Diving In India
Scuba diving in India comes with oodles of fun and frolic. But before you go for it, here are some safety rules you must pay heed to.
- Don’t dive alone. It is always fun and safe to be with others.
- Breathe normally. No one can hold breathing.
- Start with small steps. Don’t dive too deep.
- Double check your equipment before the dive. Only God can help if you have a malfunctioning apparatus.
- You have a trainer/supervisor to obey. Just remember he is your boss.
- Don’t pollute the home of marine flora and fauna. They don’t cause any harm to your world.
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Scuba Diving In India: 14 Best Places To Dive
Excited and on your toes for an enthralling experience? So, here’s our list – the best places for scuba diving in India to come first. And if it is not here, you can give it a miss.
- Andaman: The Deep Blue Side
- Lakshadweep: Underwater Delight
- Goa: Glee! It’s Time For Scuba Diving Here
- Pondicherry: Underwater Break At Pristine Island
- Netrani Island In Karnataka: Witness The Rich Marine Life
- Tarkarli In Maharashtra: Enjoy The Colorful Corals
- Kovalam In Kerala: A Unique Experience In God’s Own Country
- Havelock Island: A World Underwater
- Neil Island: Dive In And Witness The Coral Beauty
- Cinque Island: Away From The Chaos, Amidst The Serenity
- Kadmat Islands: A Land Of Tranquility
- Dwarka: Not Just Religious, This Place Has Adventure Too
- Bangaram Island: Amidst The Crystal Clear Water
- The Aravind Wall: Dive To Enjoy A Time Like Never Before
1. Andaman: The Deep Blue Side
The vibrant under water life of the Bay of Bengal offers an ideal backdrop for scuba diving in Andaman. The amazing corals and pristine coral reefs make an ideal scenario for this fun activity and Andaman is said to be the best place for scuba diving in India. You may meet Turtles, moray eels, manta rays, trevally and batfish on your way.
Diving Spot: The Wall, Havelock and Dixon’s Pinnacle
Cost: INR 4,500 per person per dive
Scuba Diving Organisers: Barefoot, Pugmark Eco Tours and Experience Andamans.
Best Time for Diving: November to mid April. The fun diving trips are mostly during morning hours.
Good to Know: The Scuba Diving Organisers offer certified training courses for beginners, advance level, professionals and rescue divers. The professional and rescue divers are trained after sunset.
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2. Lakshadweep: Underwater Delight
For best scuba diving in India places include Lakshadweep. Scuba diving in Lakshadweep is both thrilling and daring. It is a lifetime experience to spend time in the blue transparent lagoons and coves with manta rays, turtle, vibrant fishes and shark and whale occasionally.
Diving Spot: Princess Royal, Lost Paradise, Dolphin Reef, ClassRoom, Fish Soup and Manta Point
Cost: INR 4,000-7000 per person for 25 minutes underwater experience
Scuba Diving Organisers: Lacadives, Nivalink and Planet Scuba Diving.
Best Time for Diving: October to mid May. Try to be there between December to April for the best scuba experience.
Good to Know: A war ship sank during a battle between France and England, 200 years ago near the diving spot of Princess Royal in Bangaram. Which means while enjoying Scuba, you may find traces of cannons, potteries and shipwrecks. How exciting!
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3. Goa: Glee! It’s Time For Scuba Diving Here
Scuba diving in Goa is sheer happiness with tiny exotic corals, flights of attractive fishes and other colourful marine animals. Lack of underwater currents and clear visibility makes water of Goa one of the safest options for scuba diving in India.
Diving Spot: Suzy’s Wreck, Sail Rock, Davy Jones Locker, Grand Island, Shelter Cove and Turbo Tunnel
Cost: INR 5000 per person, which includes training and one dive
Scuba Diving Organisers: Barracuda Diving, Dive Goa and Elan Adventures
Best Time for Diving: October to mid May
Good to Know: The temperature of the water in Goa is around 28 degrees and visibility is close to 5-10 metres. However most of the diving sites are shallow (5-15) metres depth and safe and secured for novices.
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4. Pondicherry: Underwater Break At Pristine Island
The only diving spot in India’s eastern coast is in Pondicherry. The place is characterised by natural coral reefs, rocky pop-ups, man-made ridges and large plethora of marine organisms like jack fish, sea snake, manta rays and fan corals. It is a perfect scuba destination for beginners and professionals and is said to be one of the best scuba diving in India places.
Diving Spots: Cool Shark Reef, Aravind’s Wall, Temple Reef, 4 Corners, Ravines and The Hole
Cost: INR 6500-8000 per person, which includes 2 dives in a day
Scuba Diving Organisers: Temple Adventures and Elan Adventures
Best Time for Diving: Scuba diving in Pondicherry is open throughout the year but the best months are February to April and September to November. We are afraid that’s the peak season too!
Good to Know: Swimming is not a prerequisite for induction sessions of scuba but if someone can swim up to 200m, he/she can become a licensed diver.
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5. Netrani Island In Karnataka: Witness The Rich Marine Life
Netrani, popularly known as Pigeon Island, is located 10 kms from Murudeshwar, off the coasts of Karnataka. The tiny heart shaped island is an unconventional scuba spot and enriched with bio-diverse marine creatures like fishes, corals humpbacks. Even one may be lucky enough to meet whale sharks. One of the famous diving spot of Netrani is Bhatkal shipwreck, 25 km off the shore. Netrani is known for featuring the best underwater diving in India.
Diving Spots: NA
Cost: INR 4999 for one person
Scuba Diving Organisers: Netrani Adventures
Best Time for Diving: Mid September to end of May
Good to know: Netrani Adventures is a registered PADI resort.
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6. Tarkarli In Maharashtra: Enjoy The Colorful Corals
Tarkarli is located near Sindhudurg Fort in Maharashtra. The coastal water near Tarkarli is clear and abundant with corals and colourful marine animals. Tourists are transported from Dandi beach to the diving spot in speed boats. The diving activity at Tarkarli is guided by professionals and is a recreational joy dive rather than a typical scuba.
Diving Spots: NA
Cost: INR 850 per person
Scuba Diving Organisers: Shamika scuba diving,
Best Time for Diving: October to April is the best time to visit Tarkali and so you can enjoy scuba diving too at this time as the waters are very clear
Good to know: A non-swimmer can also participate in the dives at Tarkali. The divers can go upto 30ft deep water.
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7. Kovalam In Kerala: A Unique Experience In God’s Own Country
Kovalam in Kerala is rapidly becoming famous amongst tourists for scuba diving. A company called Bond Safari that uses an underwater scooter has brought this treat to the beaches in Kovalam. The water is clean and offers a glimpse into a rich sea-life with lots of sea and creatures. Kovalam is one of the most unique scuba diving destinations in India.
Diving Spots: Lighthouse Beach, Hawah Beach
Cost: INR 4500 per person (the rates may vary)
Scuba Diving Organisers: Bond safari, scuba cochin dive centre
Best Time for Diving: September to February is a good time to indulge in water activities like Scuba diving in Kovalam
Good to Know: Kovalam is emerging as the top places for scuba diving in India
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8. Havelock Island: A World Underwater
Image Credit: Vikramjit Kakati
This pristine island is one of the gem places to visit in Andaman and Nicobar and also known for being one of the scuba diving sites in India. Located at a distance of 50 kms away from Port Blair, this island is known for its wide variety of exotic marine life. While underwater one can witness species like Humpback Parrot Fish, Lionfish and Soft Corals.
Diving Spots: Turtle Bay
Cost: INR 4500-INR 6000
Scuba Diving Organisers: Barefoot Scuba, India Scuba Explorers, Eco Diver, Dive India Outbound, Ocean Tribe Scuba
Best Time For Diving: October-April
Good to Know: You might witness like Humpback Parrot Fish, Lionfish and Soft Corals.
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9. Neil Island: Dive In And Witness The Coral Beauty
This is another gem of Andaman which is beautiful in a subtle way and also away from the chaos of the main town. Neil island is an isolated place which is known for its unexplored and hidden beaches which also offers a great scuba diving spot. Alongside that, the coral reef is still untouched and preserves its rich and diverse beauty of flora and fauna. Neil Island is certainly amongst the best places for underwater diving in India.
Diving Spots: NA
Cost: INR 3500-INR 6000
Scuba Diving Organisers: K Rock, Bus Stop, Margherita’s Mischief
Best Time To Visit: December-April
Good to Know: The coral reef is still untouched and preserves its rich and diverse beauty of flora and fauna.
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10. Cinque Island: Away From The Chaos, Amidst The Serenity
When it comes to exploring the islands in Andaman, Cinque island is also one of the magnificent islands to visit and explore. Boasting the clearest waters in the world, one can witness at least 80 feet deep and makes one of the best scuba diving places in India. This place is home to a rich variety of marine life, black corals and ferocious sharks.
Diving Spots: NA
Cost: INR 3500-INR 5000
Scuba Diving Organisers: Barefoot Scuba
Best Time To Visit: December-May
Good to Know: The place is home to a rich variety of marine life, black corals and ferocious sharks.
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11. Kadmat Islands: A Land Of Tranquility
Also called Cardamom Islands, this is one of the coral islands which is located at the union territory of Lakshadweep. It is home to the marine turtles and marine species which are worth witnessing while diving underwater. With the turquoise waters and the white sands, this place looks like a paradise.
Diving Spots: Cardamom Islands
Cost: INR 6000
Scuba Diving Organisers: Laccadives
Best Time To Visit: November-March
Good to Know: The marine turtles and marine species which are worth witnessing
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12. Dwarka: Not Just Religious, This Place Has Adventure Too
Image Credit: Ashwin chandrasegaran
This place is famously called the abode of Lord Krishna and very few adventure junkies know that it is also one of the scuba diving spots in India. This place has recently emerged as a scuba diving spot and the divers can come across a beautiful marine ecosystem. Offering decent visibility, the marine life underwater includes dolphins, whale sharks and turtles.
Diving Spots: NA
Cost: INR 4,500 (Fun Dive), Open Water Course (INR 26,000)
Scuba Diving Organisers: DiveIndia
Best Time To Visit: October-March
Good to Know: The marine life underwater includes dolphins, whale sharks and turtles.
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13. Bangaram Island: Amidst The Crystal Clear Water
Image Credit: Lakshadweep.gov.in
This place is actually an Atoll which is surrounded by the coral reefs and looks just splendid. Often known for its surreal atmosphere, this island is part of the Lakshadweep islands. The view underwater is mesmerizing and often considered to be equally beautiful to the beaches of Maldives and Mauritius. This place also boasts one of the cleanest beaches and people can easily reach this place via aerodrome or boat.
Diving Spots: Atoll
Cost: INR 4000-INR 7000
Scuba Diving Organisers: Laccadives, Bangarram Island, Agatti Island
Best Time To Visit: October-March
Good to Know: The view underwater is mesmerizing and often considered to be equally beautiful to the beaches of Maldives and Mauritius.
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14. The Aravind Wall: Dive To Enjoy A Time Like Never Before
Image Credit: AshwiniShinde for Wikipedia
Note: This image is used just for visual representation
Considered to be one of the scuba diving spots in India, this place is located at a distance of 15 kms offshore. While here one can witness a wide array of sea creatures like the Lionfish, butterfly fish and also various kinds of sea snakes. And on the rare sightings, one can also come across the honeycomb Moray Eel in the wall.
Diving Spots: NA
Cost: INR 3500-INR 6000
Scuba Diving Organisers: Temple Adventures
Best Time To Visit: December-March
Good to Know: One can witness the honeycomb Moray Eel in the wall during rare sightings
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Things To Carry While Scuba Diving
- Sunblock
- Diving mask
- Rehydrating Salt
- Dive Logbook
- Dry Bag
- A Good Quality Wetsuit
- Depth Gauge, Compass, Submersible Pressure Gauge
- Quality Diving Footwear
Tips For Scuba Diving In India
Scuba diving undoubtedly iss one of the most interesting and fun activities that one could try. However, even the thought of breathing underwater can be scary to some and therefore here are some useful tips for you to bear in mind.
- Safety should be your topmost concern and its better to learn from a proffesional before diving right in.
- Practice underwater swimming and yoga for a few months before actually taking the leap and be confident about it.
- Take a medical examination and make sure you are fit to indulge in scuba diving.
- Do what the instructor tells you to. Listen to your instructor and plan the route you will be taking and inform your guide.
- Buy the right equipment and check your gear while you are heading to your dive sit. If you are uncertain about things ask your guide for help.
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One doesn’t need to travel overseas to do something as surreal and interesting as scuba. One can relish the amusement in various places of India only. So, what are you thinking about? Plan a trip to India holiday right now and choose your favourite place to go scuba diving in India!
Happy Diving!
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Please Note: Any information published by TravelTriangle in any form of content is not intended to be a substitute for any kind of medical advice, and one must not take any action before consulting a professional medical expert of their own choice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Scuba Diving In India
Which is the best place for scuba diving in India?
Andaman, Goa, Kerala, Pondicherry and Lakshadweep are some of the best places for scuba diving in India. The mentioned places are home to the most amazing diving spots. Is scuba diving worth in Pondicherry?
Yes, Pondicherry is known as one of the best places for indulging in scuba diving in India. It is safe to dive there and enjoy the thrilling activity. The vibrant marine life of Pondicherry is worth a dive! Is Scuba diving safe in India?
Yes, scuba diving is absolutely safe in India. There are many experts who will help you with any issue. If you are unsure then you must surely go for a 3-days or 5-days basic session for the best experience. Can I scuba dive without knowing swimming?
Yes, you can scuba dive without knowing how to swim. However, you will need an expert with you to indulge in the sport. Make sure that you are going for a session under the supervision of reputed and experienced divers. What is the cost of scuba diving in Andaman?
The cost of a scuba diving in Andaman ranges between INR 3500 to INR 5000 depending on the place and the organizers. Which is the best beach for scuba diving in India?
Havelock island beach is one of the best beaches for scuba diving in India. Other popular places are Swaraj Dweep, Malvan, Tarkarli, etc. How much scuba diving costs in Goa?
The cost of scuba diving in Goa begins from INR 3000 and varies at different islands. It depends on the diving site and the organizer with whom you have booked a session. How much does a scuba certification cost?
A scuba diving certification starts from INR 15000.
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A book lover and fun-loving, overtly emotional mom with a wanderlust soul, Sukanya has completed her Master Degree in Geography and currently perusing her passion for writing as a profession. Nothing detoxes her more than trying new recipes and travelling to offbeat places is ultimate Therapy for her.
