If you are an adventure junkie, we are sure that scuba diving is on your bucket list. The life beneath the sea is enchanting, beautiful, and unbelievable. It is the best way to get into the depths of the sea and explore the diverse marine life. But where? Well, choosing the right spot for scuba diving is very necessary, keeping safety, environment, and experience in mind. So here is a list of the best places to do scuba diving in India. Check it out!
7 Best Scuba Diving Places In India
1. Havelock Island, Andaman
Havelock Island is one of the best scuba diving destinations in India. It is suitable for all scuba diving enthusiasts and is known to offer maximum scuba diving sites in India as compared to other destinations in India.
The best sites include Turtle Beach, Nemo Reef, Red Pillar, Dickson’s Pinnacle, Whitehouse Rock, and Tribe Gate. It has a diverse range of marine life, including turtles, octopus, Nemo Fish, manta rays, and reef sharks. The island is very popular for its transparent water, tropical rainforests, and virgin beaches, making it a good vacation spot.
Best Diving Season: October To April
2. Netrani Island, Karnataka
Pigeon island or Netrani island in Karnataka is a beautiful small island located in the Arabian Sea. It is just a few kilometres away from the western coast of Karnataka and you need to get down at Murudeshwar to reach this island.
The island is known for its fabulous species of coral formations, diverse marine life and unique heart shape. It is one of the most renowned islands for deep sea diving in India. The fact that this island is away from the coastline, it offers crystal clear waters to dive in. Butterflyfish, parrotfish, barracudas, groupers, moray eels, and triggerfish are commonly seen underwater marine beauty here.
Best Diving Season: September To April
Also Read: The Complete Guide To Scuba Diving Certification In The Andamans
3. Bangaram Islands, Lakshadweep
Located on Lakshadweep Island, Bangaram islands is one of the best islands for scuba diving in India. It is known as the pinnacle of international grade scuba diving in India. The spot is loved for having a marine life that is equally rich like Mauritius and Maldives.
This tear-drop island offers exceptional underwater visibility up to 30 metres. It is unique because it is also surrounded by a continuous shallow lagoon. You will surely get to see green sea turtles, eagle rays, manta rays, and white-tip reef sharks around you. At night the shorelines shine in the dark due to bioluminescent plankton.
Best Diving Season: October To March
4. Tarkarli, Maharashtra
Located near Sindhudurg Fort in Maharashtra, Tarkarli is a coastal village which is known to offer economical scuba diving and water sports. It is known for its transparent waters and rich marine life.
This place actually focuses on shallow-water near historical landmarks making it the best for first-time divers and non-swimmers. It has healthy patches of sea plants and soft corals. You can easily spot clownfish, butterflyfish, sargassum, and parrotfish here. If you are lucky enough you will also get to spot dolphins here from the boat especially during early morning transits.
Best Diving Season: October To April
Also Read: 10 Scuba Diving Safety Tips
5. Kovalam, Kerala
Known as a famous beach town in Kerala near Thiruvananthapuram, Kovalam is slowly emerging as one of the top-tier locations for scuba diving. It has crystal clear waters, with vibrant coral reefs, rocky ridges and sandy stretches.
Kovalam is well-suited for professional, international-grade safety training. Non-swimmers can easily get into the introductory experiences offered here. You can occasionally also spot cuttlefish, octopuses, and sea turtles. The visibility averages between 5 to 15 meters depending on the day and the currents.
Best Diving Season: December To March
6. Dwarka, Gujarat
Dwarka is known as a very popular spot for Lord Krishna devotees but little did you know that it is also a great place for scuba diving activities. Located on the western tip of Gujarat, this place offers a unique mix of marine biodiversity and mythological allure.
You get to explore the coral reefs with a visibility that ranges between 5 to 8 metres during peak conditions. The Shivrajpur beach and Beyt Dwarka are the two spots here which are known for scuba diving activities. This area is universally famous for its marine archaeology and is perfect for absolute beginners and non-swimmers.
Best Diving Season: December To March
Also Read: Experiencing Scuba Diving In The Andamans
7. Aravind Wall, Pondicherry
Aravin Wall is known as one of the most thrilling deep diving destinations in India located about 15 kilometres away from the coastline. There is no literal wall here but does have a massive 2.5-kilometer-long rocky ridge. It is known to start at the depth of 30 metres and later drop to 40 metres. It is a loved spot for technical and advanced divers with strong, sweeping open currents. This spot is also known as the best one for drift diving in the region. It is one of the rare mainland locations that offer the sightings of manta rays and whale sharks.
Best Diving Season: February to April and September to November
Summing Up
Scuba diving is surely one of the best watersports which everyone must try at least once in their lifetime. These destinations in India are some of the best destinations which are suitable for both beginners and advanced divers. So if you wish to try scuba diving or want to explore new posts, this list is all you need, so save it now!
FAQs
Where Is The Best Scuba Diving In India?
Dwarka, Bangaram Islands, Havelock Islands and Tarkarli are some of the best scuba diving spots in India.
Which Islands Are Best For Scuba Diving In India?
Havelock islands, Netrani Island and Bangaram islands are some of the best scuba diving islands in India.
Can Beginners Do Scuba Diving In India?
Yes, beginners can easily try scuba diving in India.
Which Place Has The Clearest Water For Scuba Diving In India?
Havelock island is said to have the clearest water for scuba diving in India.
Is Scuba Diving In India Affordable?
Yes, scuba diving in India is quite affordable in India as compared to international destinations.
What Is The Best Time For Scuba Diving In India?
October to May is the best time for scuba diving in India.
Which Are The Safest Scuba Diving Destinations In India?
Netrani, Havelock, Tarkarli are some of the safest scuba diving destinations in India.
Can Non Swimmers Do Scuba Diving In India?
Yes, non swimmers can undoubtedly do scuba diving in India.
