Scuba Diving in Andaman: Introduction
Several environmental factors affect scuba diving experiences. A destination to be identified as a suitable scuba diving site need certain pre-conditions. Some of the broad ones have been listed below.
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Environmental Factors Affecting Scuba Diving in Andaman
- Water Temperature: Cold water requires additional thermal protection (e.g., wetsuits or drysuits). Warm waters are more comfortable but can still lead to dehydration.
- Water Visibility: Visibility can vary due to currents, tides and plankton levels. Poor visibility may make navigation and communication challenging.
- Currents and Tides: Strong currents can increase physical exertion. Diving at slack tide (when water movement is minimal) is generally recommended.
- Depth: Greater depths increase nitrogen absorption, affecting bottom time and requiring careful monitoring of decompression limits.
- Weather Conditions: Wind, rain and surface waves can affect entry, exit and safety during dives. Thunderstorms may cause the cancellation of dives for safety reasons.
- Marine Life: Some species may pose risks (e.g., jellyfish, sharks or venomous organisms). Interactions with marine life should be respectful and cautious.
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The top 4 islands that offer a perfect diving experience in Andaman
- Havelock Island
- North Bay Island
- Neil Island
- Port Blair
Diving in Havelock Island
Havelock Island (now known as Swaraj Dweep) is one of the premier scuba diving destinations in the Andaman Islands, offering pristine underwater experiences. Renowned for its crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life, it is a haven for divers of all levels. Sites like Elephant Beach, The Wall and Neil’s Cove boast spectacular coral gardens teeming with schools of fish, turtles and occasional manta rays. The calm waters and excellent visibility make it ideal for beginners, while advanced divers can explore deeper sites and wrecks. With several PADI-certified diving schools, Havelock Island provides world-class diving opportunities in a tropical paradise setting.
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Best Places to Dive in Havelock Island:
Barracuda City: Barracuda City, near Swaraj Dweep (Havelock Island), is a stunning diving site in the Andaman Islands. Known for its rich biodiversity, it offers sightings of vibrant coral reefs, barracudas, reef sharks and sea turtles. With excellent visibility and a serene underwater ambiance, it’s perfect for divers seeking unique marine encounters.
Turtle Bay: Turtle Bay, situated near Havelock Island in the Andaman Islands, is a serene and beginner-friendly dive site known for its shallow depths and calm waters. True to its name, the site offers frequent sightings of sea turtles, alongside vibrant coral formations and schools of tropical fish. It’s an excellent spot for relaxed underwater exploration.
Mac Point: Mac Point, located near Havelock Island in the Andaman Islands, is a unique dive site famous for its vibrant coral reefs and sightings of dugongs, also known as sea cows. The site features clear waters, abundant marine life and colourful corals, making it an exciting destination for divers of all skill levels.
Seduction Point: Seduction Point, located near Havelock Island in the Andaman Islands, is a popular dive site characterized by its sloping rocky seabed covered with staghorn corals. The area is teeming with marine life, including napoleons, groupers and colourful reef fish. Its moderate depths and gentle currents make it suitable for both beginners and experienced divers.
The Wall: The Wall, a renowned dive site near Havelock Island in the Andaman Islands, is an impressive vertical drop that descends to about 50 meters. Covered with vibrant corals, the site is home to diverse marine life, including barracudas, snappers and reef sharks. Its dramatic underwater landscape makes it a favourite among advanced divers.
Lighthouse: Lighthouse is a popular diving site in the Andaman Islands, known for its vibrant coral reefs and abundant marine life. Located near Havelock Island, it offers divers the chance to explore crystal-clear waters, colourful fish, sea turtles and unique underwater landscapes, making it a must-visit spot for divers.
Pilot Reef: Pilot Reef, located near Havelock Island in the Andaman Sea, is a renowned diving site. It features diverse coral formations, crystal-clear waters and an array of marine life, including colourful fish, rays and turtles. The site is perfect for both beginner and experienced divers, offering an unforgettable underwater experience.
Minerva Ledge: Minerva Ledge, situated near the Andaman Islands, is a stunning dive site known for its impressive underwater topography. The site features dramatic ledges, deep drop-offs and abundant coral reefs, teeming with marine life such as barracudas, Napolean wrasse and schools of fish. It offers a thrilling dive experience for adventurous divers.
Jonny’s George: Johnny’s George, located near Havelock Island in the Andaman Sea, is a well-known dive site famous for its vibrant coral gardens and rich marine biodiversity. Divers can explore clear waters filled with schools of colourful fish, sea turtles and the occasional reef shark. The site offers an exciting and scenic underwater experience.
Whitehouse Rock: Whitehouse Rock, located off the coast of Havelock Island in the Andaman Sea, is a popular diving site known for its impressive rock formations and rich marine life. The site features clear waters, steep underwater cliffs and vibrant coral reefs, home to diverse species like sharks, rays and colourful fish, providing an exciting dive.
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Dickson’s Pinnacle: Dickson’s Pinnacle, located near Havelock Island, is an exceptional dive site in the Andaman Sea. The site is marked by a prominent underwater pinnacle, surrounded by vibrant coral reefs and abundant marine life, including large schools of fish, rays and occasional sharks. It offers a thrilling dive for both experienced and novice divers.
Jacksons Bar: Jackson’s Bar, located near Havelock Island in the Andaman Sea, is a renowned dive site known for its shallow reefs and rich marine biodiversity. The site features clear waters with vibrant coral formations, offering divers the chance to encounter colourful fish, turtles and occasional reef sharks. It’s perfect for both beginner and experienced divers.
Broken Ledge: Broken Ledge, situated near Havelock Island in the Andaman Sea, is a captivating dive site characterized by large rock formations and vibrant coral reefs. The site features clear, calm waters that host a variety of marine life, including schools of fish, sea turtles and rays, making it a popular destination for divers of all levels.
S.S. Inchkett: S.S. Inchkett, a popular dive site in the Andaman Sea, is the wreck of a British cargo ship that sank in the 19th century. Divers can explore the remnants of the ship, now surrounded by vibrant coral reefs and teeming with marine life, such as fish, rays and occasionally, larger species like sharks. It offers a fascinating underwater exploration for both history and adventure enthusiasts.
M4: M4, located near Havelock Island in the Andaman Sea, is a popular dive site known for its clear waters and abundant marine life. The site features vibrant coral reefs, drop-offs and a wide variety of fish species, including barracudas, groupers and sea turtles. M4 is ideal for divers seeking an exciting underwater adventure with diverse marine encounters.
Red Pillar: Red Pillar, located near Havelock Island in the Andaman Sea, is a striking dive site known for its vibrant red-hued coral formations and rich marine biodiversity. The site features clear waters, with a mix of soft and hard corals and is home to diverse marine life such as colourful fish, turtles and occasional rays, making it an exciting dive spot for underwater enthusiasts.
The Slope: The Slope, located near Havelock Island in the Andaman Sea, is a popular dive site characterized by its gradual underwater incline. This site features vibrant coral gardens, clear waters and an abundance of marine life, including schools of fish, sea turtles and rays. It’s ideal for divers of all experience levels seeking a beautiful and tranquil underwater experience.
MV Mars: MV Mars, located near the Andaman Islands, is a notable wreck dive site. The remains of this sunken cargo ship are home to a rich array of marine life, including vibrant corals, schools of fish and occasional sightings of rays and sharks. The clear waters and unique wreck structure make it an exciting and immersive dive destination for experienced divers.
Purple Haze: Purple Haze, located near Havelock Island in the Andaman Sea, is a stunning dive site known for its colourful coral reefs, particularly vibrant purple-hued corals. The site features clear waters, teeming with diverse marine life, including schools of fish, sea turtles and rays. It provides a visually striking and exciting dive experience for underwater enthusiasts.
Aquarium: Aquarium, located near Havelock Island in the Andaman Sea, is a popular dive site renowned for its clear waters and diverse marine life. The site features shallow coral reefs with a variety of vibrant fish species, sea anemones and occasional sightings of larger marine creatures. It is ideal for beginner and experienced divers seeking a calm, colourful and immersive underwater experience.
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Diving in North Bay Island
North Bay Island, located near Port Blair in the Andaman Islands, is a popular spot for scuba diving, offering a delightful underwater experience for beginners and experienced divers alike. The island is renowned for its vibrant coral reefs, diverse marine life and clear waters, making it an excellent destination for exploring the underwater world. Divers can encounter species such as clownfish, angelfish, groupers and even reef sharks amidst the colourful coral gardens. The shallow waters and gentle currents make it an ideal location for first-time divers, while certified divers can explore deeper areas. North Bay’s proximity to Port Blair also makes it easily accessible, adding to its appeal as a must-visit dive destination in the Andamans.
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Diving in Neil Island
Neil Island (now known as Shaheed Dweep) is a serene and picturesque destination for scuba diving in the Andaman Islands. Known for its tranquil environment and unspoiled dive sites, it offers unique underwater landscapes featuring vibrant coral reefs, sandy bottoms and an abundance of marine life, including clownfish, parrotfish and rays. Dive sites like Margherita’s Mischief, Junction and Bus Stop are popular among divers for their clear waters and fascinating biodiversity. With fewer crowds compared to Havelock Island, Neil Island provides a peaceful and intimate diving experience, ideal for both beginners and seasoned divers seeking to explore the rich marine ecosystems of the Andamans.
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Busy Burro: Busy Burro, located near Neil Island in the Andaman Sea, is a thriving dive site known for its rich marine biodiversity and clear waters. The site features vibrant coral gardens, with abundant schools of tropical fish, sea turtles and rays, offering a dynamic and exciting dive experience for divers of all levels.
Rocky’s: Rocky’s, located near Neil Island in the Andaman Sea, is a popular dive site known for its rocky formations and vibrant coral reefs. The site offers clear waters and a variety of marine life, including schools of fish, sea turtles and occasional rays. It’s an exciting spot for both novice and experienced divers.
Margarita: Margarita, located near Neil Island in the Andaman Sea, is a captivating dive site renowned for its vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life. The site features clear waters and a variety of fish species, including groupers, snappers and schools of colourful reef fish. It offers an exciting and visually stunning underwater experience for divers of all levels.
Junction: Junction, located near Neil Island in the Andaman Sea, is a popular dive site known for its diverse underwater topography. It features a mix of coral reefs, drop-offs and rocky formations, home to a wide variety of marine life, including schools of fish, rays and sea turtles. It’s ideal for divers seeking an exciting, varied and rich underwater experience.
Manta Point/Robin’s Bay: Manta Point, also known as Robin’s Bay, is a renowned dive site near Neil Island in the Andaman Sea. Famous for its seasonal sightings of majestic manta rays, the site also boasts vibrant coral reefs and abundant marine life, including schools of fish, turtles and rays. The clear waters and diverse underwater landscape make it an unforgettable dive destination.
Nursery or One Bottle: Nursery, also known as One Bottle, is a well-loved dive site near Neil Island in the Andaman Sea. It is named for its shallow, calm waters, perfect for underwater exploration. The site features vibrant coral gardens and a variety of marine life, including schools of colourful fish, juvenile rays and sea turtles, making it ideal for divers of all experience levels.
Bus Stop: Bus Stop, located near Havelock Island in the Andaman Sea, is a popular dive site known for its shallow waters and rich marine life. The site features coral gardens, vibrant fish species and occasional sightings of sea turtles and rays. It’s a great spot for beginner to intermediate divers seeking a colourful and serene underwater experience.
Aquarium or Neil Garden: Aquarium, also known as Neil Garden, located near Neil Island in the Andaman Sea, is a stunning dive site famous for its clear waters and vibrant coral reefs. The site features an abundance of tropical fish, sea anemones and occasional sightings of sea turtles and rays. It’s an ideal location for divers of all experience levels seeking an immersive underwater adventure.
Lighthouse: Lighthouse, located near Havelock Island in the Andaman Sea, is a well-known diving site celebrated for its crystal-clear waters and vibrant coral reefs. The site features diverse marine life, including colourful fish, sea turtles and rays. It is popular among divers for its relatively shallow depth and calm conditions, making it ideal for both beginners and experienced divers.
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Diving in Port Blair
Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, offers excellent scuba diving opportunities with its unique underwater ecosystems and historical dive sites. While not as renowned as Havelock or Neil Island, Port Blair provides access to several intriguing spots such as North Bay Island and Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park. These locations feature vibrant coral reefs, schools of tropical fish and occasional sightings of turtles and rays. The wreck of the MV Inchkeith is a fascinating site for experienced divers, offering a glimpse of history amid thriving marine life. With several dive schools and relatively easy access from the mainland, Port Blair serves as a convenient and rewarding diving destination for enthusiasts of all levels.
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Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park: Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, located near Wandoor in the Andaman Islands, is a protected area known for its rich marine biodiversity and pristine coral reefs. The park encompasses several islands, offering a range of dive sites with clear waters, vibrant marine life, including sea turtles, fish and rays. It’s a fantastic destination for diving, snorkelling and eco-tourism enthusiasts, offering a serene and unspoiled underwater environment.
Corruption Rock: Corruption Rock, located near Havelock Island in the Andaman Sea, is an exciting dive site known for its unique underwater rock formations and rich marine life. The site features clear waters, vibrant coral reefs and an abundance of fish species, rays and occasionally sharks. Its rugged topography offers divers a thrilling and scenic underwater adventure.
Rutland Island: Rutland Island, located south of Havelock in the Andaman Sea, is a serene and less-explored destination known for its pristine beaches and rich marine life. The surrounding waters offer excellent diving opportunities, with vibrant coral reefs, clear visibility and diverse marine species such as rays, turtles and tropical fish. It’s an ideal spot for divers seeking a quieter, more untouched environment.
Snake Island: Snake Island, located near the southern tip of the Andaman Islands, is known for its unique and slightly eerie charm. The island is famous for its diverse marine life and surrounding coral reefs, making it a popular dive site. Divers can explore vibrant coral gardens, along with sightings of various fish species, rays and sometimes sea snakes. The waters are clear, offering an exciting and thrilling underwater experience for divers.
Diving in Barren Island:
Diving in Barren Island, the only active volcano in the Andaman Sea, offers a unique and thrilling underwater experience. The island is surrounded by pristine coral reefs, vibrant marine life and clear waters, making it a top dive site. Divers can explore volcanic formations, dramatic underwater topography and encounter diverse marine species like barracudas, rays and reef sharks. The combination of volcanic activity and rich biodiversity makes Barren Island a rare and exciting dive destination, attracting adventure seekers and experienced divers alike.
