Next step
Tell us your origin city, dates, budget and pace — you get a costed Port Blair–Havelock–Neil plan you can share with your group.
Diving in the Andamans: What to expect
The water temperature is a comfortable 28°C year-round, so a 3mm shorty wetsuit is usually enough. Visibility averages 15 to 20 metres but can drop depending on the moon phase and currents.
Best dive sites: Havelock vs Neil vs Port Blair
- Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) — The hub of diving. Sites like Dixon's Pinnacle, Johnny's Gorge and The Wall offer everything from turtles to mantas. Best for both beginners and advanced divers.
- Neil (Shaheed Dweep) — Quieter, with beautiful hard coral gardens and gentle currents. Margherita's Mischief and K-Rock are fantastic for relaxed dives.
- Port Blair — Chidiya Tapu and Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park offer good diving, but visibility is often lower than the islands. Good if you are short on time.
Best season for diving
October to May is the primary season. February to May offers the calmest seas and best visibility. Monsoon diving (June to September) is possible but highly weather-dependent.
Indicative pricing
Indicative dive costs per person, including equipment
| Discover Scuba Dive | For beginners, no swimming required, ~45 mins | ₹3,500–₹4,500 |
|---|---|---|
| Fun Dive | For certified divers, single boat dive | ₹3,000–₹3,500 |
| PADI Open Water | 4-day certification course | ₹28,000–₹35,000 |
| PADI Advanced | 2-3 day advanced certification | ₹22,000–₹28,000 |
Estimates for planning. Final pricing is confirmed against live hotel, ferry and activity rates for your dates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does scuba diving cost in Andaman?
A beginner's Discover Scuba Dive (DSD) costs between ₹3,500 and ₹4,500. For certified divers, a fun dive is around ₹3,000 to ₹3,500. Certification courses like PADI Open Water cost between ₹28,000 and ₹35,000.
Do I need to know how to swim to scuba dive?
No. For a Discover Scuba Dive (DSD), swimming is not required. You will be held and guided by an instructor at all times. For certification courses (Open Water), basic swimming skills are mandatory.
Which is better for diving: Havelock or Neil?
Havelock is the primary dive hub with more dive centres and deep, action-packed sites. Neil is quieter with shallower, pristine coral gardens. Both are excellent depending on your experience level.
Can I dive if I wear glasses?
Yes. Most dive centres offer prescription masks for common magnifications, or you can wear soft contact lenses under a regular mask.
Is scuba diving safe in the Andamans?
Very safe. The established dive centres are PADI or SSI affiliated, follow strict safety protocols, and have experienced local and international instructors.
Plan your diving trip
Add scuba diving to your Andaman itinerary. Get a day-by-day plan with ferries, hotels and dive slots.