With around 8000 kms of coastline, India can boast of a variety of diving experiences and scuba diving India can be a pleasant experience for all divers. This includes the pristine locations in and around its islands; both in the Andaman and Arabian Seas are on par with some of the best diving around the tropics
Countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Maldives who we share our oceans and seas with, has helped boost tourism on the back of scuba diving. Scuba diving as an industry in the world is growing at 15% per annum. India is growing at 25%.
Most Indian divers are affluent and go abroad to dive as there are a lot of restrictions and very little diving infrastructure in our country.
Countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Maldives who we share our oceans and seas with, has helped boost tourism on the back of scuba diving. Scuba diving as an industry in the world is growing at 15% per annum. India is growing at 25%.
Most Indian divers are affluent and go abroad to dive as there are a lot of restrictions and very little diving infrastructure in our country.
If you are going
to scuba dive in
India
You cannot miss Lakshwadeep, a remote archipelago off India’s southwestern coast offers colourful reefs and god marine life that will keep any diver enthralled.
On the east coast, the many dive spots around the Andaman and Nicobar islands are brimming with vibrant reef life and pristine dive conditions. In this populous country, you’ll find underwater exploration as intriguing as exploring India’s rich heritage and culture. Dive travelers are interested in sustainable destinations, with good health and safety measures.
On the east coast, the many dive spots around the Andaman and Nicobar islands are brimming with vibrant reef life and pristine dive conditions. In this populous country, you’ll find underwater exploration as intriguing as exploring India’s rich heritage and culture. Dive travelers are interested in sustainable destinations, with good health and safety measures.
They increasingly look for unique diving sites and experiences. As we have analyzed various diving data across a range of boards in India, people are now discovering diving and this growing population can become a promising target group for the Indian tourism.
Lately, road trips are also becoming a popular way to see India while diving off the coastline and islands. Both foreign and home grown adventure seekers from Mumbai and around who scuba dive in India start in Gujarat and work their way around the southern coastline, taking overnight buses through Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu, to end up in Vizag stopping on the way to enjoy dives in the morning and exploring India’s many beautiful cities in the afternoon. The dive locations are more on the west coastline with Kochi being the latest addition with a couple of dive shops opening up and bringing diving to the agenda of this tourism rich state
Lately, road trips are also becoming a popular way to see India while diving off the coastline and islands. Both foreign and home grown adventure seekers from Mumbai and around who scuba dive in India start in Gujarat and work their way around the southern coastline, taking overnight buses through Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu, to end up in Vizag stopping on the way to enjoy dives in the morning and exploring India’s many beautiful cities in the afternoon. The dive locations are more on the west coastline with Kochi being the latest addition with a couple of dive shops opening up and bringing diving to the agenda of this tourism rich state
Key areas to
dive India
Lakshadweep
Still sometimes called by their former name, Laccadive Islands, the archipelago is a part of the same underwater mountain range that forms the Maldives.
They are about an hour and a half flight time from the mainland. Tourism development, in fact all development on the islands, has been slow so that the ecological balance is not overly impacted.
Few of the islands are inhabited and those that are have a sparse population. The diving is said to be pristine and is often compared to the Maldives before it was developed. Both the Maldives and Laccadive Islands are located in the Laccadive Sea or Lakshadweep Sea.
They are about an hour and a half flight time from the mainland. Tourism development, in fact all development on the islands, has been slow so that the ecological balance is not overly impacted.
Few of the islands are inhabited and those that are have a sparse population. The diving is said to be pristine and is often compared to the Maldives before it was developed. Both the Maldives and Laccadive Islands are located in the Laccadive Sea or Lakshadweep Sea.
Andaman and
Nicobar Islands
Nicobar Islands
These islands form the boundary between the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengals. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are considered the best liveaboard diving in Thailand.
While the sea touches the coast of Thailand, the islands really belong to India.
While the sea touches the coast of Thailand, the islands really belong to India.
Goa
The south western state of Goa has a long history with westerns, being an important port in older times. It has been a tourist destination for decades. Goa has a strong dive industry with many outstanding diving sites.
Marine life is plentiful and there are good selections of wrecks. If you love rich coral gardens and pinnacles this is the place for you. Divers can also explore other dive destinations along the coast using Goa as a starting point.
Marine life is plentiful and there are good selections of wrecks. If you love rich coral gardens and pinnacles this is the place for you. Divers can also explore other dive destinations along the coast using Goa as a starting point.
Pondicherry
Pondicherry is a fairly new tourism destination and is growing an outstanding reputation for scuba diving.
New dive sites are constantly being added by the local dive operators that include previously unknown ship wrecks.
New dive sites are constantly being added by the local dive operators that include previously unknown ship wrecks.
Netrani Island
Just off the coast of Murudeshwar, Tamil Nadu, Netrani Island gives the chance to get flippers on and explore the deep blue sea and the treasures it holds.
This is one of the best places for snorkelling and scuba diving enthusiasts.
There are around seven dive sites around here and the visibility is attractive and great.
This is one of the best places for snorkelling and scuba diving enthusiasts.
There are around seven dive sites around here and the visibility is attractive and great.
Dwarka, Gujarat
Dwarka is one of seven most holy places for Hindus in India where Varanasi is considered as the holiest of the seven holy cities.
It is believed that due to damage and destruction by the sea, Dwarka has submerged six times and modern day Dwarka is therefore the seventh such city to be built in the area.
It is believed that due to damage and destruction by the sea, Dwarka has submerged six times and modern day Dwarka is therefore the seventh such city to be built in the area.
Vishakhapatnam,
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Vishakhapatnam is a beautiful port city situated alongside the Bay of Bengal. The city attracts many tourists throughout the year as it offers a place to be near nature and to indulge in various interesting activities including scuba diving.
Vishakhapatnam offers to be one of the best places to take part in it and explore the astonishing marine life. Once can witness the beauty of colourful corals, turquoise waters, and variety of fishes in the Bay of Bengal.
Vishakhapatnam offers to be one of the best places to take part in it and explore the astonishing marine life. Once can witness the beauty of colourful corals, turquoise waters, and variety of fishes in the Bay of Bengal.
Rameshvaram,
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Rameshvaram is the unique region to a wide variety of ecosystems, from lush sea grass beds to shallow coral reefs teeming with fish. The Palk Bay is a rare gem, where one can experience a multitude of ecosystems in a single dive day.
With surprising marine biodiversity, this region is a sensory pleasure to dive in.
With surprising marine biodiversity, this region is a sensory pleasure to dive in.
Kovalam Beach,
Kerala
Kerala
Kovalam is a beach nearby the Arabian Sea in Thiruvananthapuram city, Kerala, located around 16 km from the city centre. Kovalam is also one of the calm waters place loaded with several species of marine life. The visibility here is three to five metres on a good day. Kovalam has underwater pale green world full of the most wondrous sea life.
The mysterious world beneath the mighty Arabian Sea would reveal itself to the seeker who dares to take a plunge in it with Scuba set.
The mysterious world beneath the mighty Arabian Sea would reveal itself to the seeker who dares to take a plunge in it with Scuba set.
Scuba Diving
conditions
Lakshadweep and
the Andaman
archipelagos generally have visibility ranging from 10-45 meters/30-150 feet with water temperatures averaging 27-28°C/80-82°F.
Goa
has similar water temperatures but visibility is less, often in the 5-11 meters/15-35 feet range.
Pondicherry
water temperatures range from 26-30°C/78-84°F and visibility of 5-20 meters/15-70 feet range.