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Scuba Diving at Grande Island

The local dive shops in Goa use Grande Island diving sites to conduct basic scuba courses for beginners, because they can find shallow water that is clear and calm.

This section lists the best dive sites for scuba diving and snorkeling at Grande Island and which marine creatures thrive off the Mormugao Peninsula in the Arabian Sea.

Best Time to Scuba Dive the Grande Island

Even if you get the timing right, experienced divers may not consider some Goan dive sites as being 'world class diving destinations'.

Yet, there are several 'selected' spots close to the shoreline that meet the needs of the local scuba schools, including:

In general, you should expect to have good underwater visibility (up to ten metres) during the favourable months for diving. Hence, the best time to dive Goa dive sites is from October to May.

Having a 'tropical' climate means the sea temperature is warm for most of the year, averaging 28° Celsius (around 82° Fahrenheit).

Note: The climate during the first half of the year is mostly sunny and hot with calm flat seas. But, it may be best to avoid the area when the May monsoons arrive - even though diving is still available at some selected sites.

What Marine Life Can Divers See?

There are several reasons for adding Grande Island to our India diving list, including the vibrant reef gardens and a diverse variety of marine creatures.

Scuba Diving around Giant Groupers.Typical aquatic animals and marine biodiversity found in the area include:

Note: Some Goan dive sites are considered part of an emerging market for scuba diving and snorkeling. Even so, the best spots will appeal to divers with different certification and skill levels.

List of Dive Sites at Grande Island

This small island is only 2.5 km2, but it provides a unique experience for all scuba divers. In fact, first-timers, and those who make the trip for snorkeling, will appreciate the calm, clear water near the beaches.

You can find shallow, sandy bays around five (5) metres deep with calm sheltered recluses. Then, the challenging underwater reefs and pinnacles around fifteen (15) metres down cater for divers with more experience.

Situated off the coast of Vasco Da Gama city, it takes about an hour to reach Grande Island dive sites by a boat (depending on the point of embarkation).

Pro Tip: The peak season (November to February) attracts most visitors to try scuba diving lessons in the warm water and weak currents.

Devil's Canyon

Are you a qualified diver looking for a 'scuba adrenaline rush'? If so, the steep vertical drop at the Devil's Canyon dive site is one for your bucket list.

In fact, the underwater topography plunges to a depth around 40 metres (130 feet). This is a great place to catch sightings of barracuda fish and moray eels.


Suzy's Reef

Scenic and picturesque is a way to describe the dive site called Suzy's Reef. You only need to descend to around eight (8) metres to see it, so it's ideal for novices.

There is no shortage of colourful fish and coral reefs in the area. So, this is a suitable spot to learn some underwater photography techniques.


Suzy's Wreck

It's difficult to disagree with those who say Suzy's Wreck dive site is Grand Island's most popular diving destination - especially for wreck diving aficionados.

This sunken shipwreck rests on the seabed at fifteen (15) metres (50 feet). As a result, the underwater wreckage provides a safe home for lionfish, morays, and triggerfish.


Turret Rock

The dive site called Turret Rock is shallow - with maximum depths less than ten metres (30 feet). Even so, you should find different species of small colourful reef fish seeking refuge in the corals.


Related Information and Help Guides

There are more locations for divers of all certification levels to explore when scuba diving near Goa, such as:

Note: Another section explains more about passive interaction with marine animals and the importance of diving safely around hazardous sea life.

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