Scuba Diving Activities/Packages in Havelock Island

This is perhaps one of the most commonly asked questions by anyone who wants to scuba dive. The short answer is yes, you can scuba dive even if you don’t know how to swim. Here’s a secret: in scuba diving, you do not have to swim. You will be wearing dive fins that will keep you afloat on the surface of the water and help you glide ef

Havelock Island is one of the most visited scuba diving sites in India thanks to the numerous dive sites across the island. The dive sites come with many layers of depth thus making them perfect for scuba divers of any level – beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Two of the most famous scuba diving spots in Havelock are Lighthouse and Aquarium. Both these sites are of less depth and are great for recreational divers and beginners. Jackson Bar, Johnny’s Gorge, Minerva’s Delight, Junction, and K-Rock are perfect for seasoned divers. Of course, the scuba diving sites are not just limited to those mentioned above. Havelock has the highest number of diving sites in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and you can explore any number of them.

The cost of scuba diving in Havelock depends on your intention behind the dive. All scuba divers need special gears that enable them to glide underwater and breathe as well. Given all these factors, you might think that scuba diving is very expensive. However, on the contrary, it is very reasonably priced. If you are a beginner, who may or may not know how to swim, a single dive can cost you anything between INR 3500 to 7000. This package would also include an instructor, videos, photos, and a boat ride. If you know how to swim and want to do a single-day training course for scuba certification, it can cost you anything between INR 10,000 to 15,000. You can opt for a slightly longer course if you want more advanced level training. These courses would cover more than one dive and cost you anything between INR 10,000 to INR 30,000. Those who are intermediate or advanced level divers can go for dives as less as INR 3000 to INR 30,000 or above depending on the number of days and dives they opt for.

Havelock Island is a scuba diver's paradise. People from all across the world visit the island to dive from its many sites. Most tourists make it to Havelock from October through April. This is because there is less rain during this season thus making it easier to dive. Plus, it is not possible to scuba dive during a rain or storm. Many diving centres also allow people to dive until May barring the days on which it rains or the weather is bad. The island also gets a lot of crowds from October to February, as it is the holiday season. If you want to avoid the crowd, you can visit the Andaman Islands towards March or April.

It doesn’t matter whether you know how to swim or not; the diving centres at Havelock Island are always open for you. It is a common myth that non-swimmers cannot scuba dive. While being a swimmer does make it easier to dive, you can dive under the water even if you do not know how to swim. One thing to keep in mind is that while you can dive even if you are a non-swimmer, you cannot pursue a scuba certification course.

Unfortunately, there are no direct flights to Havelock Island as the island does not have an airport. But, worry not, as there are flights that directly land at the Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair. Havelock is 70 km away from Port Blair, and the only way to reach the airport is via boat. You can take the ferry from the Phoenix Jetty which is run by the government. This is also the cheapest way to travel to Havelock. The ferries start early morning and then late afternoon and it takes around 2-3 hours to reach Havelock. You might think it’s a long time, but imagine being out there in the vast expanse of the sea. By the end of it, you’ll surely wish the ride could go on a little longer.

Anyone above the age of 10 can try scuba diving, but it depends on the diving centre with which you enrol if they would allow children to dive. As long as you have a strong respiratory system and are healthy, you can scuba dive irrespective of your age and gender.

Unfortunately, certain medical conditions may be considered risky for diving. Since scuba diving requires strong respiratory abilities, anyone with a severe respiratory system may find it difficult to dive. The same goes for heart patients. You can still consult with your doctor to see if you can still make that dive. Also, pregnant women are generally dissuaded from scuba diving.

Havelock is nothing short of heaven for water sports lovers. Diving enthusiasts can, of course, have options like scuba diving, sea walking, and snorkelling. If you are a bit scared of scuba diving, you should try snorkelling, which again, does not require you to know swimming. Those of you who want more action can try jet skiing and paragliding. If you are travelling in a group, you can also try the banana boat ride which promises to be a lot of fun.

One of the top things you should do in Havelock Island is to visit the iconic Rdhanagar Beach. This beach was ranked 7th in Asia by Time magazine in 2004 and is the most beautiful and clean beach you’ll ever see. There are many other beaches in Havelock like Vijaynagar beach and the popular Elephant beach. You can take a ride in a glass bottom boat to explore the marine life of the Andamans. Since Havelock has a rich mangrove forest, you should also take a quick and quiet ride through the mangrove alleys.

Havelock is one of the most tourist destinations in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The island is known for its eco-tourism. As such, there are many small and big hotels and resorts where you can stay while you are on Havelock Island. The best part is that Havelock has resorts that fit into anyone’s budget – big or small. Whether you choose to live in a luxurious place or an affordable place, the view promises to be stunning everywhere.

Have you ever watched the movie, Finding Nemo, and wanted to see a Nemo in real life? Well, at Havelock Island, you have that chance. You can swim with Nemos and explore a massive coral reef. Also, you don’t have to be lucky to spot a variety of colourful fish like parrot fish and butterfly fish. However, if you are lucky, you will be able to swim with manta rays and even sea turtles.

Answer: Scuba Diving in the Andamans is absolutely safe for everyone, including beginners. Whether you are a kid or an adult, anybody can enjoy snorkeling by exploring the underwater world of the island. There will be trained professionals to take care of you at every step.

Answer: Yes, snorkeling is safe for you even if you don’t know swimming. An instructor will be there with you with whom you will be learning the basics. Anyone can go for this enthralling activity when in the Andamans.

Answer: Mask, snorkel, and fins are the essentials for this exciting water activity. You can bring your own gear for a proper and comfortable fit. However, you can take these on rent as well. If you want to capture the serendipitous moments of your underwater adventure, then don’t forget to bring an underwater camera. Also, if you decide to stay in the water for a longer period of time, then you will need to wear a wet suit.

Answer: This typically depends on the area. There are some places that have a reef right off the beach. So you don’t have to travel far to reach the snorkel site. A land-based trip will suffice in case you only want to get to a specific snorkeling location. However, there are many areas that are so spread out and vast that you will be requiring a boat to reach there.

Answer: The Andaman Islands is a year-round destination. However, the winter season, i.e., from November to May, is considered the best time to go scuba diving. It is the ideal time for sightseeing and indulging in exciting water sports as the temperature during these months ranges between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius.

Answer: Havelock Island is home to rich marine life that includes wonderful creatures and colourful corals. Among all the places, the best place to experience scuba diving on the island is Elephant Beach. Some of the other places for trying your hand at scuba diving in Andamans are mentioned below:

• Red Skin Island
• North Bay Island
• South Button
• Kalipur
• Neil Island
• Henry Lawrence Island
• Tamarind Camp
• Jolly Buoy Island

Answer: Some of the tips for snorkelling are explained below:

• Ensure that you book your slot for snorkelling well in advance with a trustworthy diving centre in order to avoid any last-minute hassle. Located in Havelock Island, Dive Andaman is a reliable name across the island and it will make all your bookings. 
• Before going into the water, check your snorkelling equipment property. Change it immediately if it is not comfortable even a little bit. Otherwise, it may cause you trouble and you may panic under the water. 
• Learn all the methods and gestures properly in your training session. Make sure that you learn about the usage of the equipment. 
• Make sure that you have not eaten anything for the last four hours in order to avoid underwater sickness.
• A number of snorkelling packages are available as per your budget and requirements. Select the one suiting your convenience.

Answer: Snorkeling is an adventurous water activity that lets you explore the lovely underwater world. The best thing is that it can be performed by non-swimmers as well. Whether you want to do it alone or with friends and family members, it is an amazing way to spend some quality time in the Andaman Islands with your near and dear ones. You need to get into the water and go inside to observe the fascinating marine life and corals of the island. Just wear fins, a mask, and a snorkel. Wear a protective suit in case you want to swim closer to the ocean floor.

Snorkeling in the Andaman Islands is going to be a mesmerizing experience for you if you have the right equipment. As soon as you get into the water, you can start snorkelling. An additional benefit is that this water activity lets you burn your calories as well. It is a great experience for your island vacation and you are going to cherish it for the rest of your life.