India's best known attractions certainly include cricket and Bollywood movies.
The Taj Mahal draws countless visitors to one of the world's most populous countries each year.
But a peninsular with over 8,000 km of coastline should also be a destination for scuba diving and other related water sports.
India is fast becoming a hot-spot for scuba's traveling fraternity and most of the nation's residents are curiously heading underwater both at home and around other top dive spots in Asia.
The paradise archipelago of 572 Andaman and Nicobar Islands swathe in turquoise swimming-pool like water. The immaculate white beaches are straddled with gently swaying palms and vibrant blossoms.
This idyllic area of the Indian Ocean is a paradise that remains hidden from most of the human population. Diving and snorkeling in the islands of Andaman or Nicobar captivate the fantasy of genuine reef habitats and beauty of natural marine Eco-systems.
Diving around Goa is distinctly seasonal. During the better months through the winter of the northern hemisphere, the local dive sites are inviting and unforgettable.
The underwater clarity is generally unstable which provides a nurturing opportunity to develop varied and accomplished scuba skills. Fishes and coral patches dot the submerged pinnacles and remote islands off the coast of Goa.
Netrani is within easy reach of Goa and Mumbai for most divers. The petite heart-shaped island of Netrani is a 10 kilometers boat trip from the coast of Karnataka in the temple town of Murudeshwara.
Netrani is often called pigeon island because of the topside residents of meek goats and noisy pigeons. Submerge yourself in the nearby waters and you will find huge schools of reef fishes and fringing corals.
December and January are the months offering divers the best weather conditions and aquatic adventures.
The 36 small-size islands of Lakshadweep rest more than two hundred kilometers from the coast of Malabar. The region's attractions are the coral sands and diverse flora.
The Agatti and Bangaram Islands are open to the public for scuba diving and snorkeling activities around blue lagoons and natural reef formations within the Lakshadweep archipelago.