Scuba diving in Andaman runs roughly ₹3,500 for a beginner Discover Scuba Dive up to ₹28,000+ for a full PADI Open Water certification. You don’t need to know swimming or hold a certification to try it — first-timers do a guided Discover Scuba Dive, while certified divers book fun dives or advanced courses. Andaman’s reefs around Havelock (Swaraj Dweep), Neil (Shaheed Dweep) and Port Blair offer some of India’s clearest water and richest marine life. Below: what each experience costs, which one to choose, the 15 best dive sites, the best season, and the safety and eligibility rules you need to know.
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15 Best Scuba Diving Sites in Andaman
On your Andaman vacation, prepare to explore and unravel the mysterious ocean world and its vivid inhabitants. Here are the top 15 sites for scuba diving in Andaman you can map. Whether you are a beginner, an intermediate, or an expert, there is enough option for all.
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Lighthouse
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Aquarium
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Mac Point
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Barracuda City
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Seduction Point
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Margherita’s Mischief
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K Rock
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Bus Stop
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Junction
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Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Wandoor
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Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Jolly Buoy
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North Point, Cinque Island - Among The Clearest Waters In The World
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Bala Reef - The Stunning Spot In Little Andaman Island
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Fish Rock, Passage Island - Fishes Galore!
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Corruption Rock - Home To Unicornfishes & Shipwrecks
Explore Popular Destination In Andaman
Lighthouse
A large diving site, Lighthouse has its arms wide open for all kinds of divers. However, the site is famed for night diving for PADI/SSI certified divers. During this experience, you’ll come across variety of hard and soft corals, along with interesting water beings like Humpback Parrotfish, Octopus, Fusiliers, Lobsters, and Lionfish. With all this, the lighthouse ranks as one of the best place for scuba diving in Andaman.
Depth: 6-18 meters
Suitable for: All
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Aquarium
With mostly hard corals strewn throughout, Aquarium is a fringing reef spot where you can treat your eyes to colorful schools of fish. It is located in the southwest of Havelock and the currents usually are soft and can be easily predicted. The enclosed water within the coral ring where currents can be predicted makes it a much safer experience for the first timers. The spot is among the best scuba diving places in Andaman for both amateur and experienced divers.
Depth: 10-12 meters
Suitable for: Beginners
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Mac Point
Mac Point is listed as the best place for scuba diving in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, especially because one gets to spot Dugongs here, along with rugged hard corals which actually add on to the beauty of this underwater paradise. This Sirenian tusked mammal is usually found in Australia and Eastern Africa. For the best scuba diving experience and other water based activities, it is one of the must-visit places in Andaman.
Depth: 10-14 meters
Suitable for: All
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Barracuda City
Barracuda City is again an unexplored destination for scuba diving in Andaman. It is one of the deep diving destinations in Andaman where one can experience a depth of 25-30 metres under the Andaman Sea. Swim with the turtles, and explore the deep secrets of marine wonderland as you spot colorful corals and a variety of fish, including Blue spotted stingrays, Coralfish, and Surgeonfish. The highlight of this spot is that you get a chance to get close with the amazing sea turtles.
Depth: 25-30 meters
Suitable for: Intermediate and expert divers
Seduction Point
The Seduction Point is a massive rock embraced with a varied aquatic life. You’ll find numerous Staghorn corals, which are inhabited by Napoleons and other marine organisms. To make the most of your scuba diving session in Andaman Islands you must visit this spot and try diving. It is ideal for both beginners and intermediate divers.
Depth: 6-18 meters
Suitable for: Intermediate and expert divers
Margherita’s Mischief
Having a smooth current, Margherita’s Mischief is not quite a mischief. It is, in fact, a calm diving spot with crystal clear water and boulders on the soft sand where scuba diving in Andaman can be experienced. The place has a wide variety of beautiful marine life that can be spotted. Dugongs are often spotted here, and you may also get to see Batfish, Pufferfish, Blue-spotted stingrays, Angelfish, Soldierfish and Yellow Snappers.
Depth: 7-16 meters
Suitable for: All
K Rock
K Rock is perfect for all levels of divers, thanks to the easy current. As the name suggests, it is a volcanic rock that’s huge and stands on a sandy seabed. Butterflyfish, Soldierfish, Snappers, and Sweetlips are frequently seen around the K Rock, besides the great view of the volcanic rock. It is a favorite spot of many tourists from across the world because of its geographical location and is considered to be one of the best scuba diving spots in Andaman.
Depth: 12-19 meters
Suitable for: All
Bus Stop
This gently sloping seabed is located on the western ends of Neil Islands. Bus Stop has a sandy bottom with small reefs and is perfect for an exhilarating diving experience. Bus stop is one of the most famous spots for scuba diving in Andaman and you must head here soon!
Depth: 14-20 meters
Suitable for: All
Junction
Located between Neil Island and Havelock Island, Junction is a paradise for divers who seek a little adventure. One can find numerous soft corals, surrounded by Lionfishes. Marlin, Trevally and Barracudas and reef sharks are spotted too. The current of this diving spot can be strong, and thus this is not ideal for beginners and also because of the presence of dangerous creatures like Reef Shark.
Depth: 22-30 meters
Suitable for: Intermediate and experts
Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Wandoor
Scuba diving in this one-of-a-kind national park is not to be missed when you’re going scuba diving in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Prepare to witness colorful sea flowers, and corals of more than 50 kinds, such as Fungia, Pocillopora, Acropora, and Leptoseris.
Clownfish, Surgeonfish, Whitetip Shark, Parrot Shark, Butterflyfish and Angelfish are some of the marine species you’ll come across while exploring this aquatic wonderland.
Location: SH8, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Best scuba diving resorts and organizers: Port Blair never disappoints when it comes to providing options, even when it comes to scuba diving in Andaman. If you’re looking for scuba diving organizers or resorts, then go for Sinclairs Bayview Hotel (Website | Reviews) or Dive Manta(Website | Reviews). These hotels offer comfy rooms, arrangement for adventure sports, and ease of sightseeing.
Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Jolly Buoy
A rather lonely and secluded island, located in Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Jolly Buoy is a heaven for scuba divers. Explore the most intriguing and colorful underwater life in the turquoise waters of Jolly Buoy. Those who are scared of going underwater can opt for a glass bottom boat and be thrilled by the views of the clear waters
North Point, Cinque Island - Among The Clearest Waters In The World
With clarity up to 80 feet, this is one of the best places for scuba diving in Andaman and Nicobar Island. The varied diversity of fish species, and abundance of sponges and small corals make this spot a dream come true for the divers. In fact in the vicinity, there’s a kaleidoscope of marine life, including black corals and sharks.
Suitable for: Experts
How To Reach: Cinque island is visited only by the chartered boats. The boats leave from Port Blair towards the island.
Bala Reef - The Stunning Spot In Little Andaman Island
Though Bala Reef is located in Little Andaman Island, the exploration area you get is 4.5 km sq. This diving spot is perfect if you want to witness varied kinds of corals, of different hues. It indeed is much like picture-perfect down under, a rainbow of corals if you must say.
How To Reach: There are daily government ferries which connects from the Phoenix Bay and Haddo Wharf in Port Blair. It takes around 6-8 hours
Fish Rock, Passage Island - Fishes Galore!
Fish Rock is located near Passage Island and boasts of massive coral and sponge fans. Also, there are drop-offs, boulders, and rocky slopes. Many divers come here to experience this sheer beauty.
How To Reach: The best way to reach this beach is by hiring a private chartered boat which takes around 1 hour to reach from the Long Island Jetty.
Corruption Rock - Home To Unicornfishes & Shipwrecks
This beautiful diving site, the Corruption Rock, has a dazzling maze of canyons, ridges and channels. Located between Rutland Island and Chidiya Tapu, one can spot Eagle Rays, Giant Napoleon as well here.
The underwater habitat consists of canyons, gullies, channels and ridges, where dolphins and Tuna are also sighted often. You’ll also spot many shipwrecks here!
Cost of Scuba Diving in Andaman — PADI Courses & Per-Dive Prices
Lead sentence (direct answer): “Scuba diving in Andaman costs from about ₹3,500 for a beginner Discover Scuba Dive to ₹28,000 or more for a full PADI Open Water certification. What you pay depends on the experience you choose, whether it’s a shore dive or a boat dive, and the island (Havelock, Neil or Port Blair).”
Then the table (keep ≤5 visible columns on mobile):
| Experience / Course | Duration | Max depth | Cost p.p. 🔒 VERIFY WITH DATA TEAM | Best for |
| Discover Scuba Dive (DSD) — shore | Half-day, ~20–30 min underwater | ~12 m | ₹3,500 🔒 VERIFY WITH DATA TEAM | First-timers, non-swimmers — no certification needed |
| Discover Scuba Dive (DSD) — boat | Half-day | ~12 m | ₹6,500–6,799 🔒 VERIFY WITH DATA TEAM | First-timers wanting better reef & visibility |
| Certified fun dive (single) | Per dive | Up to 18–30 m | ₹2,500–6,500 🔒 VERIFY WITH DATA TEAM | Already-certified divers |
| PADI Open Water Diver course | 3 days / ~4–5 dives | Up to 18 m | ₹28,000 🔒 VERIFY WITH DATA TEAM | Getting your first certification |
| PADI Advanced Open Water | 2–3 days | Up to 30 m | ₹24,000 🔒 VERIFY WITH DATA TEAM | Deeper sites, more experience |
| Overall course range | Varies | — | ₹6,000–40,000 🔒 VERIFY WITH DATA TEAM | — |
Note under the table: “Prices vary by operator, season, and island (Havelock vs Neil vs Port Blair) — confirm the rate when you book. A guided DSD includes all equipment, a briefing and an instructor in the water with you; certification courses include training materials, pool/confined-water sessions and open-water dives.
Which Scuba Experience Should You Choose?
“If you’ve never dived before, start with a Discover Scuba Dive — no swimming or certification needed. If you want to dive independently in future, do the PADI Open Water course. If you’re already certified, book fun dives or step up to Advanced Open Water.”
| You are… | Choose | Why |
| Trying scuba for the first time / a non-swimmer | Discover Scuba Dive (DSD) | Guided by an instructor the whole time; no certification or swimming skill required. Boat DSD gives better reefs than shore. |
| Want to dive again independently after this trip | PADI Open Water course | A globally recognised certification that lets you dive without an instructor, anywhere, to ~18 m. |
| Already PADI/SSI certified | Fun dives or Advanced Open Water | Skip the basics — book single fun dives, or take Advanced for deeper sites (to ~30 m) and skills like night/deep diving. |
Add a one-line shore-vs-boat note: “Shore dives are cheaper and calmer (good for first nerves); boat dives reach the better reefs and clearer water — most of Andaman’s signature sites are boat dives.
Best Time for Scuba Diving in Andaman
The best time to scuba diving in Andaman is October to May, when the sea is calm and underwater visibility is at its best (roughly 15–30 m) . The monsoon months June to September bring rough seas, and many operators suspend boat dives during this window.
- Peak — Oct to May: calmest sea, clearest water, best for first-timers and photography. Morning dives generally have the best visibility.
- Shoulder — early Oct / late May: good conditions, fewer crowds.
- Monsoon — Jun to Sep: rough seas; boat dives often suspended; some shore DSD may continue weather-permitting — confirm with the operator before travelling.
Safety, Eligibility & Health
“Scuba diving in Andaman is safe for healthy beginners when done with a licensed operator and a certified instructor, but it has medical and age rules you should know before you book.”
- Age: typically ~10 to 60 years for a Discover Scuba Dive .
- Swimming: non-swimmers CAN do a guided Discover Scuba Dive — the instructor stays with you and controls buoyancy. Certification courses require basic water comfort/swim ability.
- Medical fitness: operators commonly ask divers over ~45 for a medical/fitness declaration or certificate.
- Who should NOT dive: people who are pregnant, or who have heart, respiratory (asthma), ear/sinus or recent-surgery conditions should consult a doctor and usually avoid diving.
- After diving: do not fly for ~18–24 hours after your last dive.
- Operator: always dive with a PADI/SSI-licensed operator and a certified instructor; check that equipment is serviced and that a safety briefing is given.
What to Pack / What’s Provided
Your operator provides all the technical gear — you only need to bring a few personal items.”
- Provided by the operator: wetsuit, mask, fins, snorkel, BCD, regulator, weights and air tank, plus an instructor for DSD.
- Bring yourself: swimwear (worn under the wetsuit), a towel, reef-safe sunscreen, a change of clothes, and any prescription dive-mask if you need one. Leave valuables on shore.
- Optional: a GoPro/underwater camera (many operators also sell photo/video of your dive and motion-sickness tablets for boat dives.
Conclusion
Andaman is one of the best places in India to scuba dive — clear water, healthy reefs, and 15 dive sites across Havelock, Neil and Port Blair for every level. Whether you’re trying a first Discover Scuba Dive or earning your PADI certification, plan for October–May and book with a licensed operator. Ready to dive in? Compare guided dives and certification Packages and start planning your Andaman scuba trip
FAQs
October to May is the best time, with calm seas and the clearest underwater visibility (roughly 15–30 m). During the monsoon (June to September) seas are rough and many operators suspend boat dives, so plan a peak-season trip if diving is the main goal. Morning dives usually have the best visibility.
No — non-swimmers can do a guided Discover Scuba Dive, where a certified instructor stays with you and manages your buoyancy and depth the whole time. You only need basic swimming ability if you take a full certification course like the PADI Open Water, which includes swim-skill assessments.
Discover Scuba Dives are usually open to ages ~10 to 60. Divers over about 45 are often asked for a medical fitness declarationl: over-45 + any YES health flag needs physician sign-off — padi.com Diver Medical Form). People who are pregnant or who have heart, respiratory (e.g. asthma), ear/sinus or recent-surgery conditions should consult a doctor and generally avoid diving. Always dive with a licensed operator.
Some of the best things to do in the Andaman Islands are: 1. Snorkeling at North Bay And Elephant Beach 2. Banana Boat Ride 3. Take The Glass Bottom Boat Ride 4. Parasailing 5. Trek To Madhuban
Yes. Scuba diving is absolutely safe even for first-timers provided you get a proper PDAI certification before going underwater.
Certification is not mandatory for diving in the Andaman Islands, but you will have to have proper knowledge of scuba diving and must be good at swimming.
For noncertified divers, one dive would cost you INR 4500 for one dive while a certified diver has to pay INR 4500 for two dives.
Havelock Island is known to be the best for scuba diving in Andaman for all the right reasons.
