4 hrs ago
Andaman Dive Season Reopens: Havelock First-Timer Diving Guide
The monsoon makes seas around the Andaman Islands rough from June to September.
When it weakens in October, dive centres on Swaraj Dweep, also called Havelock, reopen.
Beginners can try scuba diving even if they cannot swim.
An instructor stays with them, and they first practice in shallow water.
Shore dives are shallower and closer to land, while boat dives reach nearby reefs.
Visibility is usually 15 to 30 metres during the season, and the water is warm.
A first dive costs about Rs 2,500 from shore or Rs 3,500 to Rs 6,500 by boat, before GST.
People should check age and health rules and avoid diving just before a flight.
October and November are quieter than the busiest months, so booking then may be easier.
Dive centres on Swaraj Dweep, commonly called Havelock, generally reopen in October after the southwest monsoon.
Seasonal visibility is usually 15 to 30 metres, with water temperatures between 26 and 29 degrees Celsius.
Non-swimmers can take introductory dives under continuous instructor supervision after shallow-water practice.
Shore dives at Nemo Reef reach about six metres, while beginner boat dives can reach approximately 12 metres.
Introductory dives cost about Rs 2,500 from shore or Rs 3,500 to Rs 6,500 by boat, before GST.
- Who
- First-time divers, certified divers and dive centres operating on Swaraj Dweep, commonly known as Havelock.
- What
- The island’s scuba-diving season reopens, with guidance on sites, prices, safety rules and booking.
- Where
- Swaraj Dweep in the Andaman Islands, including Govind Nagar’s Nemo Reef and nearby boat-diving sites.
- When
- The season generally runs from October through May, with peak conditions and crowds from December to March.
- Why
- The southwest monsoon recedes after September, bringing calmer seas and improved diving conditions.
Key facts
- Season
- October to May
- Peak period
- December to March
- Visibility
- Usually 15 to 30 metres
- Water temperature
- 26 to 29 degrees Celsius
- Shore dive price
- From about Rs 2,500 per person before GST
- Boat dive price
- About Rs 3,500 to Rs 6,500 per person before GST
- Flight gap
- Divers should wait at least 18 to 24 hours before flying
- Open-water course
- An entry-level RAID Open Water course takes roughly four days and costs about Rs 28,000 before GST
Quotes
Suchit
Operator of Frogman Adventures at Govind Nagar, Havelock
“Most people who come to us have never breathed underwater before, and a large number of them cannot swim. What decides whether the dive goes well is not swimming ability. It is the ratio. If one instructor is looking after one guest, that guest settles down in the first two minutes.”
thehansindia.com
“We do not. The gap before flying is a safety limit, not a scheduling preference.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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