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Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Imagine a destination where scuba divers and snorkelers can find unique opportunities to explore and experience virtually untouched marine ecosystems.
This section explains why the dive sites near Andaman and Nicobar rank among the best diving locations in India - especially those at Havelock and Neil Island.
Why is Scuba Diving at Andaman So Good?
There are some that say the Andaman archipelago is the best diving in India. But is that true?
Well, you would need to compare it to several other scuba diving areas, such as:
Even so, you will find this group of must-dive, sun-drenched islands in the southern part of the Bay of Bengal. Yet, these popular eco dive resorts are actually closer "geographically" to Myanmar and Thailand.
Diving around Pristine Marine Ecosystems
The Andaman and Nicobar Island chain is a union territory of India. In addition, recent world tourism facts suggest that many of the 572 islands rank among the least visited places on Earth.
The tropical warm climate also provides refreshing sea-breezes and sporadic rain storms. The customary dry sunny season runs from November through to April.
Divers and snorkelers looking to explore Andaman and Nicobar should head to the south. You'll find the best sites for scuba diving and snorkeling around Havelock and Neil Island.
Put another way:
Nowadays, diving around untouched underwater topography and diverse sea life plants and animals is a rarity. In fact, you might even find an area not yet discovered by humans.
Let's look at some of the highlights when scuba diving in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Be sure to check out the dive sites at Dixon's Pinnacles and Barren Island volcano.
There will be no shortage of steep underwater cliff dives, coral reef gardens, and colourful pinnacles. In the main, you should expect to have up to forty (40) metres of water clarity.
Typical Marine Life Found in Andamans
In general, the tropical water temperature averages 28° Celsius (80 to 84° Fahrenheit). The majority of the dive sites are calm with predictable water currents. Some of the common marine life sightings you can expect to see in Andaman Islands, includes:
Angelfish (Phylum: Chordata)- Goliath grouper fish
- Manatee (dugongs)
- Manta rays
- Mollusks (e.g. sea slugs)
- Reef sharks
- Seahorses
- Stone fish
Pro Tip: Another section contains a comprehensive list of vertebrate and invertebrate animals with lots of fun and interesting facts, pictures, and videos.
Best Sites for Diving and Snorkeling
It's easy to spot the unmatched marine biodiversity at offshore dive sites around Passage and Barren Island. In fact, North Passage Island is home to some of the biggest fish species that live in the Indian Ocean.
Whereas, Barren Island is an active volcano that creates a distinctive landscape - above and below the water line. Some of the deeper sites in the abyss below tend to attract hammerhead sharks to the area.
The most popular destinations, and easily accessible dive sites for divers and snorkelers, include:
If there is a negative point to make, it would be having to travel by boat for long distances to reach the best dive sites.
Nevertheless, frontier scuba diving in the Andaman Islands is developing fast - and there has never been a better time to join the Andaman explorers.
Related Information and Help Guides
- Nemo Reef Dive Site at Havelock Island
- Where is the Best Place for Snorkeling in the Andaman Islands?
- 7 Top Destinations to Swim with Coral Reef Snakes
How to Get to Andaman and Nicobar?
The archipelago is about 150 kilometres from the north of Sumatra (separated by the Andaman Sea to the west of Thailand). You can fly to the airport at Veer Sarvarkar in Port Blair, and then take a ferry to most of the other islands.