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Scuba Diving at Pebble Beach Dive Site
The name of this dive site is a little misleading because large rocky boulders cluster the shoreline - not shingle and gravel.
This guide contains information about the unique underwater topography and fish life found in the clear water near the coastline of Karnataka.
When's the Best Time to Dive Pebble Beach
Netrani is a heart-shaped coral island. You'll find it situated around ten (10) nautical miles from Murudeshwara.
The location is popular for divers who make the south-westerly journey from the Indian district of Karnataka.
It's also called Pigeon Island by the locals on the mainland - due to the abundant presence of wild grey birds living on the rock.
The dive sites around Netrani Island rank among the best available for scuba divers who travel offshore. Plus, it's within easy reach from Goa, Bangalore, Pune, and the capital city of Mumbai.
In all fairness, access to clear water diving is quite limited in this part of the Arabian Sea. Nonetheless, underwater visibility can be around twenty (20) metres in some sheltered spots.
Generally, the Netrani Island diving season begins in October and runs through to May. Even during these months, you should expect to have water temperatures around 27° Celsius (80° Fahrenheit).
But wait - there's more:
Because of the local hazards, the authorities discourage divers from stepping foot on the rocky island. So, it's best to consider it as being off limits because of the steep cliffs and craggy rocks close to the shoreline.
Netrani Island dive sites have their fair share of coral reefs, rocky pinnacles, and a few shipwrecks. In fact, during the peak season, it's one of the best scuba destinations for beginners to learn how to dive or to become one of the snorkeling bloggers that help to make this area popular.
Being cordiform in shape means the island's fringing coral reef systems create natural habitats in shallow water for all sorts of diverse marine life, including:
- Butterfly fish
Crustaceans- Lobsters
- Marine mollusks
- Morays eels
- Parrot fish
- Porcupinefish
- Puffer fish
- Sand eel
- Schooling bannerfish
- Shrimps
- Turtles
- Wrasses (e.g. Napoleon wrasse)
Pro Tip: December through to February are the optimum months for diving Netrani. Make sure you get permission before you visit the island by boat. The sea conditions deteriorate from June until October (e.g. for the south-west monsoon season).
Underwater Topography at Pebble Beach
The dive site called Pebble Beach is good for scuba beginners because it starts off in shallow water. But, there are several places where it suddenly drops to around thirty (30) metres.
Large mushroom corals litter the seafloor at a depth of twelve (12) metres. Go a little deeper and you should see rotting wooden fishing trawlers partially buried at 26 metres.
Novice divers should be cautious of strong currents, especially when the tide swings. But, keep an eye out for giant grouper fish roaming around searching for their preferred food - octopi.
Related Information and Help Guides
- Bomb Rock Dive Spot at Netrani
- Diving and Snorkeling at Nursery
- Grand Central Station Dive Site
- T55 Dive Site Facts and Information
- Where are the Best Dive Sites around Goa?
Pro Tip: The main section contains extra information about the top scuba diving spots in India and why it's becoming a hot-spot for undersea explorers.