Scuba Diving in Andaman: Best Time & Cost

The islands of Andaman and Nicobar attract travellers from across the globe for a soothing, sunny and unexplored vacation that simply mesmerizes with its natural beauty. It is also a popular honeymoon destination and you can find several Andaman tour packages to spend some quality time with your loved one. Sunny skies, golden beaches, turquoise waters, and untouched surroundings, everything you need for a relaxed and rejuvenating holiday at the Andaman islands. But it is not just the beauty of the 572 islands that make this place a heavenly abode on Earth. You can also enjoy a lot of adventure sports, water activities, activities for nature lovers, as well as sightseeing tours, to make your trip to Andaman and Nicobar memorable.

From underwater sea walking a flight in the seaplane to a fun-filled bumper or banana boat ride, a glass-bottom boat ride and a magnificent sunset at the sandy beaches, Andaman will not disappoint. You can go snorkelling in Andaman to explore the exquisite marine life and some of the rarest corals at North Bay Island or Elephant Beach at Havelock Island. You can also witness the Bioluminescence at Havelock Island where water glows as you row your boat across, making for a truly unforgettable experience. But if you want to discover the colourful corals and the enchanting water life from the deep end of the sea, then you should opt for scuba diving in Andaman and Nicobar islands.

Scuba Diving in Andaman

Scuba diving in Andaman and Nicobar islands is one of the biggest attractions, after relaxing around and tasting local seafood delicacies. This is one activity in Andaman that is operational throughout the year. One can see the amazing sea life among the world of awesome water bodies, vibrant fishes, awesome corals and seabed gardens in silent-as-night waters. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience until, of course, you do it once and then feel like doing it again and again!

There is a whole other world inside the ocean, waiting to be explored, and that’ll leave you amazed and bedazzled with its beauty. Under the protection of the Andaman Administration, the untouched corals and vibrant fishes are abundant and often enclose the diver from all directions, leaving the diver in awe and wonder. The underwater coastal belts surrounding Andaman is home to one of the densest ecosystems of coral reefs and formations. Most of the islands are enclosed by long stretches of reefs, usually several hundred meters wide and separated by the shore with shallow waters. They are also complemented by volcanic lava hills that make the experience unique and hard to find, offering the best scuba diving experience in Andaman as compared to anywhere else.

Best Time for Scuba Diving in Andaman

Beginners can take a dive in the islands of Andaman and Nicobar at any time of the year, although people sometimes try and avoid the months of June till September which see heavy rainfall and monsoon storms. The diving season in the Andaman usually starts in October or November, extending until May and this is also the best time to visit Andaman for scuba diving.

Although rains do affect visibility at shallow depths, they do not matter much when it comes to scuba diving. Andaman receives shorter, more frequent showers, as opposed to longer and extended rainfalls, which also helps with scuba diving in Andaman.

Once you descend to the dive depths, conditions aren’t affected much by rain. Tides, on the other hand, play a bigger role in affecting underwater visibility and that changes on a weekly basis, so the overall conditions of scuba diving in Andaman and Nicobar islands remains more or less the same all-year-long. Strong winds also indicate an unsuitable time to go for a dive as the seas are rough and it isn’t safe.

Cost of Scuba Diving in Andaman

Average scuba diving cost in Andaman and Nicobar islands range between INR 2000-3500 for 30-45 minutes, and accordingly more for higher durations. Beginners and first-time divers usually take up these sessions to enjoy the activity and get a feel of the ocean, without having to shell out too much.

However, for experts and skilled divers, there higher duration sessions available, to test out their skills and experience the real deal. You can choose from a range of PADI and SSI approved courses of scuba diving in Andaman, priced anywhere from INR 6000 to INR 40,000 depending on the certification and its duration.

Best Places for Scuba Diving in Andaman

Scuba diving in Andaman depends on various factors, like the water depth and clarity, water current, weather conditions and more. Considering these factors, we have prepared a list of the best places for scuba diving in Andaman.

Havelock Island

Havelock island is one of the most famous islands to explore the depths of the Indian Ocean. Scuba diving in Andaman in and around Havelock island has many unexplored diving sites, rich marine life and an abundant coral population. Its clear waters offer up-and-close encounters with numerous vibrant fishes and sea dwellers, and the low currents ensure stress-free diving.

Lighthouse

Lighthouse is popular for night diving, although only for PADI/SSI certified divers. It offers spectacular views of hard and soft corals, Humpback Parrotfish, Octopus, Fusiliers, Lobsters, and Lionfish.

North Bay Island

The island's shoreline presents crystal clear waters a rich population of corals, for a mesmerising scuba diving experience. The tiny island has no other attraction apart from diving tours.

Mac Point

Mac point is most common for its sightings of Dugongs, along with rugged hard corals, enhancing the beauty of this underwater paradise.

Barracuda City

A relatively unexplored underwater destination, Barracuda City lets you explore the deep secrets of marine wonderland, witness colourful corals and fishes, and also swim with the sea turtles.

5 Tips for First-Time Scuba Diving in Andaman

For divers, the world is twice as big as for regular people. In fact, among all the places to visit in Andaman and the activities to do on its sandy islands, scuba diving sure takes the top spot. The clear waters of Andaman and Nicobar islands host incredible marine life to be explored, and amazing memories to be made.

All this make it essential that you go through the basic course in order to learn how to properly breathe, float and control the pressure among other things, to be able to enjoy the session and have a great experience below the sea. We have gathered some basic tips that should help you with your first scuba diving session in Andaman.

Choose a good day

The weather conditions, such as wind and tidal behaviour, can affect your diving. Waves can make it difficult to reach the point of immersion and also create underwater currents. If things don’t look good, try another day.

Don´t leave any questions unanswered

Do not take a dive if you are still unsure about any small thing. Clear all your doubts, check your equipment, and always remember to follow the directions of your instructor. Communication is not easy under the water, so ensure you are clear on every topic while you are still above the water.

Breathe

This one seems like a no-brainer, but don’t forget to breathe. You have got a bottle of oxygen on your back to help you breathe normally.

Don’t touch anything

However enticing it might look, the basic rule in the sea is to look but not to touch, until asked by the instructor. The fishes and seaweed and the corals that you see might not be as harmless as you think them to be.

Rise cautiously

Do not be in a hurry to return to the surface after your dive. You can hurt your lungs if there is a sudden pressure change and it is recommended that you always rise slower than the column of bubbles being emitted with each exhaled breath.

Join the huge numbers of tourists from different parts of the world that come here to experience the times of their lives. Check out a range of Andaman tour packages from Veena world and start your scuba diving journey in Andaman.19