Discover: India

India’s vast coastline and far-flung archipelagos deliver a kaleidoscope of dive adventures, from emerald back-reef gardens in Lakshadweep to pelagic-patrolled drop-offs in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Having logged countless hours beneath these waters, I’ve surfaced to mangrove-lined sunsets, shared tea with local boatmen, and watched turtles nest on moon-bleached beaches. What sets India apart is the fusion of rich topside culture—think temple bells drifting across palm-fringed bays—with warm, fish-thick seas that stay a welcoming 26–30 °C (79–86 °F) most of the year.

• Shallow Reefs for Beginners — Neil Island & Bangaram Lagoon: 5–12 m (16–40 ft) coral gardens alive with anemonefish, honeycomb morays, and shy stingrays. Current is minimal, visibility 15–20 m, making buoyancy practice a breeze.
• Advanced Deep Wall Dives — Dixon’s Pinnacle & The Wall (Kadmat): Dramatic seamounts that start at 18 m (60 ft) and plunge past 35 m (115 ft). Expect swirling schools of barracuda, giant trevally on hunt patrol, and the occasional cruising manta.
• Wreck Diving Opportunities — Princess Royal (Andaman) & Suheli Parartan Wooden Wreck: Coral-encrusted ribs, easy swim-throughs, and macro critters like electric-blue nudibranchs. Depths range 18–30 m (60–100 ft); nitrox recommended for longer bottom time.
• Night Diving Spots — Jetty Channel (Pondicherry) & Lighthouse Corner (Havelock): Phosphorescent plankton turns every fin-kick into a glitter trail while cuttlefish flash color codes across the sand.

From February to April, plankton-rich currents lure manta rays and whale sharks to the open-ocean seamounts off Havelock. Winter months (November–January) bring glass-clear visibility and feverish reef-fish spawning events. Dugongs still graze the seagrass meadows of Ritchie’s Archipelago, though sightings are increasingly precious—an urgent reminder of their vulnerable conservation status. Everywhere, you’ll meet swirling anthias clouds, Napoleon wrasse, and macro delights such as ghost pipefish and ornate nudis.

Seasonality: Prime window runs October–May, sidestepping the southwest monsoon. Lakshadweep also offers a calm shoulder season in September.
Water Temperature: 26–30 °C (79–86 °F) at depth; a 3 mm suit is perfect.
Visibility: Generally 15–30 m (50–100 ft); peaks of 40 m (130 ft) after the monsoon silt settles.
Currents & Tides: Mostly gentle; spring tides around full and new moons can whip channels into sporty drifts—thrilling for advanced divers, but always time entries accordingly.

Each hub—Port Blair, Havelock, Neil, Kadmat, Agatti, Goa’s Grande Island, and Pondicherry’s offshore rigs—hosts several PADI-, SSI- or CMAS-affiliated shops. Expect full-service facilities: gear rental, multiday boat charters, nitrox fills, and instruction from Discover Scuba to technical courses. Most outfit small groups (max six divers per guide) and enforce reef-safe sunscreen policies, no-touch codes, and mandatory buoyancy checks on day one. Recompression plans and DAN O₂ kits are standard, and many centers donate to local sea-turtle or reef-restoration projects.

Andaman & Nicobar: Eco-resorts and beachfront cottages cluster around Havelock’s Radhanagar and Neil’s Bharatpur bays—an easy scooter ride to jetties.
Lakshadweep: Government-run beach huts on Agatti and Kadmat, plus mid-range dive lodges overlooking powder-white sandspits.
Goa & Karnataka Coast: From backpacker hostels in Anjuna to boutique villas near Netrani’s launch point at Murudeshwar.
Pondicherry & Chennai: Heritage guesthouses wrapped in French-quarter arcades suit culture-hungry divers. Larger chains near Chennai airport work for quick weekends.
Budget sleepers start around ₹2 000/night, while ocean-front suites peak near ₹15 000/night.

Getting There: Domestic flights connect mainland hubs to Port Blair and Agatti; ferries link Andaman islands; private speedboats serve Lakshadweep’s atolls. Goa, Mangaluru, and Chennai airports sit a short taxi ride from coastal dive boats.
Visa & Entry: Most nationals qualify for India’s 30-day e-Visa. Lakshadweep requires an additional visitor permit, typically arranged by your operator.
Local Transport: Expect tuk-tuks, rentable scooters, and shared jeeps. In the islands, pre-book inter-island ferries, especially around holidays.

Allow 7–10 days in the Andamans (weather buffers plus surface-interval island hikes) and 5–7 days in Lakshadweep. Packages often bundle 6-fun-dive blocks at discounted rates; ask about free nitrox upgrades. Solo travelers slot easily into boat groups, but buddies who charter a vessel enjoy flexible dive times and the chance to linger over manta clean-stations.

Topside, explore colonial-era cell blocks at Port Blair, kayak bioluminescent mangroves off Havelock, or day-sail to Ross Island’s crumbling barracks. Mainland detours include spice-plantation tours in Kerala, yoga retreats in Gokarna, and Pondicherry’s fusion cafés serving masala-dusted croissants. Evenings often end with beach bonfires and live tabla jams under star-strewn skies.

Emergency: The Indian Navy operates a recompression chamber in Port Blair; additional chambers are found in Mumbai, Chennai, and Kochi. Carry DAN Asia-Pacific insurance and store their hotline in your dive computer.
Navigation: Most boats run GPS/sonar; offline apps like Navionics and local chartlets keep your phone handy.
Regulations: Coral-collection is illegal; single-use plastics are banned in many marine parks; always respect marine-protected-area boundaries signposted by your operator.

Reserve peak-season spaces at least three months ahead—especially liveaboards out of Port Blair. Cancellations within 48 hours usually incur a 50 % fee, though weather-related trip shifts are commonly rescheduled without penalty. To lock in your seat, most operators ask for a 20 % deposit and confirm via email or WhatsApp.