Celebrate New Year 2024 in Andaman and Nicobar

As the 2024 New Year’s Eve approaches, your inbox is bound to be inundated by emails telling you about the number of things you can do to celebrate the day. Maybe you should hit the latest club that has opened in the neighbourhood or watch that movie with your favourite actor? Sure, you can do all that, but if you are someone who loves adventure why don’t you try your hand at some adrenaline-hitting water sports at the Andaman and Nicobar Island? Now, that’s an offbeat thing you can do for the best New Year Celebration in the Andaman Islands 2024. If you wish to explore the rich marine world of the world, get ready for some scuba diving and snorkelling action. Who knows, maybe you’ll end your year with a tick on your bucket list.

Famous Water Sports in the Andaman Islands

The Andaman Islands are as famous for their water sports as they are for their stunning beaches. And what better way is there for you to spend your New Year vacation than to enjoy some fun water sports? 

Snorkelling: Come New Year’s Eve 2024 and the Andaman Islands will awake with the entry of snorkelling hoping to explore its stunning marine life. The best part about snorkelling is that you neither need to be an expert nor know how to swim. It is the best way to explore the marine life in the Andaman Sea without deep diving under the water. Elephant Island at Havelock Island, Bharatpur Beach on Neil Island, and Corbyn’s Cove in Port Blair are some of the famous snorkelling spots in the Andaman Islands. If exploring just one spot doesn’t satiate you, go on an island-hopping snorkelling trip with Andaman Islands Travels, which offers the best snorkelling packages. Snorkelling in the Andamans can cost you anywhere between INR 1000-INR 10000 for a trip. 

Jet Ski: Not every water sport has to be enjoyed under the water. You can try out jet skiing for your New Year Celebration in the Andaman Islands 2024 which will have you feel the riveting wind of the Andamans. Elephant Beach in Havelock Island is especially famous for jet skiing; imagine spending your new year listening to the sounds of the sea right after you have partied the night at the Havelock Island Beach Resort. Corbyn’s Cove in Port Blair and Bharatpur Beach in Neil Island are two other spots that are very popular for jet skiing. A ride on the ski would cost you around INR 800. 

Parasailing: Parasailing offers the most thrilling and panoramic view of the Andaman archipelago. In parasailing, you will be tethered to a parachute and harnessed securely, post which you will be gently lifted into the air. Your New Year celebration in the Andaman Islands is incomplete without a parasailing adventure. Imagine getting a panoramic view of the turquoise sea, lush greenery, and the scattered islands of the Andamans. Nothing short of mesmerising, is it? You can parasail in Elephant Beach in Havelock Island and Corbyn’s Cove in Port Blair. A single ride should cost you around INR 3500. 

Banana Boat rides: If you are travelling in a group, you have to try banana boat rides – they are a lot of fun and ensure a lot of laughs. Banana boats are like speedboats, only they are tied to one and – you guessed it – they are shaped like bananas! You can try banana boat rides in Elephant Beach in Havelock Island and at North Bay Island near Port Blair. A single ride should cost you around INR 1000. 

Scuba Dive: We all know that the Andaman Islands are famous for their beaches and lush landscape. But what it is especially special for is its rich marine biodiversity and stunning coral reefs. We are talking about giant multi-hued corals spread across the sea bed and massive shoals of the most colourful fish you will ever see. And the best way to explore this aquatic spectacle is to do scuba diving. If you think you need to be a professional diver or a fantastic swimmer to scuba dive in the Andamans, you are absolutely wrong. Barring any risky health issues, almost anyone who’s above 12 years of age can scuba dive. All you have to do is reach out to the PADI-certified instructors at Dive Andaman, who will help you through your amazing diving journey. It would feel great to gift yourself a PADI certification for scuba diving for your New Year Celebration in Andaman Islands 2024.

With an expert team of certified divers, Dive Andaman covers almost 24-25 famous diving spots across the Andaman Islands. Dive Andaman provides all the best scuba diving gear, excellent personal instructors, snacks, transportation, and even complimentary photography and videography in many cases. In fact, you should definitely get a video made of your underwater journey; after all, it is not every day that people do that to celebrate their New Year in Andaman Islands. 

Scuba Diving Courses

Whether you know how to dive or not, whether you know how to swim or not, there is a scuba diving course tailor-made for you by Dive Andaman. Not knowing how to swim can no longer be an excuse for you to not scuba dive. Discover the world of scuba diving with a slew of scuba diving experiences. You should definitely sign up for the PADI Discover Scuba Diving Program as a start irrespective of whether or not you know how to swim. There are also many speciality diving courses like rescue diving and emergency responder that you can enrol for with Dive Andaman including the PADI Dive Master course. 

If you’d rather try your hand at diving without aiming for certification, Dive Andaman offers a Try Boat Dive, which is an awesome way to introduce yourself to the world of diving. Most dives last between 30 minutes to 45 minutes; however, you may have to dedicate more than a day depending on the course you are taking. 

Price for Entry-level Scuba Courses

S.no.	Details	Cost (in Rs.)
1.	PADI Discover Scuba Diving (Compact Program/Mini DSD) Shore dive Boat dive	4,500 5,500
2.	PADI Discover Scuba Diving Shore dive Boat dive Extra dive (same day)	6,000 7,500 3,500
3.	PADI Open Water Diver Course (Basic- 4 days) (Premium- 5 days, private training, 2 extra dives, photos, videos)	29,000 58,000
4.	PADI Scuba Diver Course (2.5 days)	19,400

Prices for Continuing Education Courses

S.no.	Details	Cost (in Rs.)
1.	PADI Adventure Diver (1-2 days, 3 Dives)	16,600
2.	PADI Advanced Open Water Diver (2- 3 days, 5 Dives) Basic Premium (3 days, private training, 5 course dives + Extra Dive, photos, videos)	24,500 45,000
3.	PADI Rescue Diver (2-3 days)	24,500
4.	Emergency First Responder	14,000
5.	PADI Speciality Course with 2 dives	13,900
6.	PADI Speciality Course with 3 dives	16,200
7.	PADI Speciality Course with 4 dives	19,700
8.	PADI Enriched Air Diver - Nitrox (theory only)	9,900

Scuba Diving with Fun Dives 

Not every scuba diving experience has to be getting a PADI certificate. Since you are here for your New Year celebration in Andaman Islands 2024, you may just want to dive for the fun of it! Given the number of diving spots around the Andaman Islands, you should definitely try a fun dive. Don’t worry, Dive Andaman will help you with your fun journey. The best part about fun dives is that you can do multiple dives in a day and at different spots, ensuring that you cover as many marine hotspots as possible. 

Prices for Fun Dives 

S.no.	Details	Cost (in Rs.)
1.	1 day / 2 dives	7,000
2.	2 days / 4 dives	14,000
3.	3 days / 6 dives	20,500
4.	4 days / 8 dives	27,000
5.	5 days / 10 dives	33,500
6.	6 days / 12 dives	40,000
7.	7th day onwards / 2 dives	5,000 each day
8.	Night dive	4,500

Best Scuba Diving Spots in Andaman Islands

It goes without saying that the Andaman Islands is a scuba diver’s paradise. The archipelago boasts many diving spots that cater to the different demands of a diver. You can explore an ancient wreck or massive never-seen-before coral reefs. Wherever you go, you are assured to find the most vibrant and colourful fish you may have never set your eyes on before. Doesn’t that sound like the perfect way to enjoy your New Year 2024 celebration in Andaman Islands? 

Diving in Havelock Island

Trust us – the moment you set foot on Havelock Island you’ll feel its majestic underwater world calling out to you. Havelock Island is one of the main hubs for scuba diving in the Andamans and boasts some world-class dive sites. What makes it so attractive for divers is that it offers a variety of dive sites, each with its unique experiences. It is also a great place for you if you want to start your scuba diving journey. Here are some amazing dive sites in Havelock Island: 

Aquarium: Located on the southwest side of Havelock Island, the Aquarium dive site is perhaps one of the most popular dive sites in the Island and the whole of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It boasts of great visibility, and you can explore up to a depth of 10-12 metres, making it perfect if you are new to scuba diving. The dive site is around 3 km away from the island; Dive Andaman usually arranges boat rides to the diving spot from Elephant Beach. 

Best for: Both beginners and experienced divers

What can you see: Aquarium is famous for massive fish like the giant trevally, coral trout, blue fin trevally, etc.

Lighthouse: If you want to spot octopuses, Lighthouse is the place for you to dive. Defined by a circular reef that has formed around an actual lighthouse, this diving spot is not too far from Havelock Island – about 1 km. Among experienced divers, Lighthouse is also popular for night diving as the water is very clear here. Since its depth starts at 6 metres (and goes up to 20), it is a great place for new divers as well. 

Best For: Both beginners and experienced divers

What to spot: Hard and soft corals, Giant clams, sea turtles, reef fish, octopuses, etc. 

Nemo Reef: Another great spot for you to try your hand at scuba diving is Nemo Reef. The shallow reef, whose diving depth is just 2-16 metres, is famous for the clownfish. The reef is just next to Havelock Island Beach Resort. So, if you are going to be doing your New Year celebration in Andaman Islands 2024 at Havelock Island Beach Resort, the hotel folks will fix your scuba diving appointment with the best personal instructor. 

Best For: Beginners

What to spot: Reef fish, clownfish, octopuses, eels, etc. 

White House Rock: Another circular reef and fantastic diving spot, White House Rock is quite popular among divers. The depth starts at 8 metres and can go beyond 50 metres making it ideal to spot a wide variety of marine life. White House Rock is some 20 km away from Havelock Island and can be accessed by boat. 

Best for: Both beginners and experienced divers

What to spot: You are sure to be treated to Tuna, Giant Trevally, soft and hard corals, fan corals, barracudas, reef fish, etc. 

Turtle Bay: Here’s another popular spot if you want to try diving for the New Year Celebration in Andaman Islands 2024. The shallow reef (about 14 metres deep) is just 18 km away from Havelock Island and you can access it on a boat arranged by Dive Andaman. 

Best for: Beginners

What to spot: Turtle Bay is famous for a wide variety of turtles, but you’ll also spot many clownfish, butterfly fish, rays, etc. 

The Wall: Of all the diving spots in the Andaman Islands, the Wall is perhaps the best. The diving spot drops way down to 55 metres under the sea like a slope, hence the name. located around 3 km away from Havelock Island, it is easily accessible by boat within 15-20 minutes. 

Best for: Experienced divers

What to spot: massive soft corals, marble rays, octopus, and many varieties of reef fish

The Slope: Another great spot to explore if you want to start your scuba diving journey. The depth of the slope starts at 7 metres and maintains its visibility up to 18 metres, making it one of the best spots for shallow diving. The Slope is just 4 km away from Havelock Island. 

Best for: Beginners

What to spot: batfish, whip coral, reef fish, shrimps, oysters, sea cucumbers

Seduction Point: Welcome to the hilly underworld of the Andaman Sea. Seduction Point is centred around a big underwater rock, which is circled by a variety of rich marine life. With a depth of just 6-18 metres, it is a great spot for you to train for scuba diving this New Year. 

Best for: Beginners

What to spot: Napoleans, Staghorn corals, reef fish, etc. 

Red Pillar: Dive 5 feet deep into the Andaman Sea in Red Pillar to find crustaceans, reef fish, rays, snappers, a bicycle and a scooter. Yes, you read that right. Imagine spotting tiny colourful fish swarming around the handles of a scooter. And, it is just 1 km away from Havelock Island. No wonder it is a favourite diving spot among beginners. 

Best for: Beginners

What to spot: Reef fish, dolphins, crocodile fish, rays, crustaceans, jellyfish, etc. 

Pilot Reef: Pilot Reef is a rocky reef that is almost 25 metres deep. Due to its complex terrain, you should attempt it only if you are an experienced diver. Under the water, you’ll find many small caves and a chance to spot leopard sharks or even white-tip sharks. 

Best for: Experienced divers

What to spot: Reef fish, leopard sharks, white-tip sharks, lobsters, hard corals, trumpetfish, moray eels, etc. 

Minerva’s Ledge: Another diving spot where you can experience scuba diving for the first time. Minerva is a popular diving spot because of its easy-to-explore large terrain and great visibility even at 18 metres. It is located around 18 km away from Havelock Island and can be accessed by boat. 

Best for: Beginners

What to spot: Fusiliers, groupers, turtles, eagle rays, butterfly fish, etc. 

Mac Point: Ready to spot some cows under the water? Mac Point is popular for the loveable dugongs also called sea cows because of their diet consisting of sea grass. You can also spot some vibrant hard coral reefs while you underwater. The depth at Mac Point is 10-14 metres, which is perfect for you to explore if you are planning to scuba dive for your New Year celebration in Andaman Islands 2024. 

Best for: Beginners

What to spot: Dugongs, hard corals, reef fish, wahoo, etc.

Johnny’s George: This one takes you to the major league with a dive depth starting at a massive 20 metres and going as deep as 40 metres. But you do have to have advanced PADI certification to be able to master Johnny’s George. The view underwater promises to be majestic and full of surprises. Another great reason to start your scuba diving journey for your New Year celebration in Andaman Islands 2024. 

Best for: Advanced divers

What to spot: White-tip sharks, stingrays, reef fish, etc. 

Jackson’s Bar: Another diving spot meant for the advanced league, Jackson’s Bar is a deep reef discovered by Jackson, who was the brother of the famous Johnny of Johnny’s George. This too starts at a depth of 20 metres and reaches down to 35 metres. 

Best for: Advanced divers

What to spot: Eels, napoleon wrasse, white-tip sharks, stingrays, etc.

Inchkeith Wreck: The best place to explore a shipwreck is Inchkeith Wreck. But you do need some training to be able to explore this wreck turned marine ecosystem consisting of a variety of aquatic life. The dive depth of Inchkeith Wreck is 5-22 metres. 

Best for: Experienced divers

What to spot: Eels, napoleon wrasse, white-tip sharks, stingrays, etc.

Broken Ledge: Imagine slipping through small crevices and narrow ravines underwater. This is the level of excitement at Broken Ledge. The dive is deep at 30 metres but will definitely leave you awestruck.

Best for: Experienced divers

What to spot: White-tip sharks, stingrays, moray eels, groupers, tuna etc.

Barracuda City: No surprises for guessing what barracuda city is famous for. Yes, barracudas. The diving spot is also popular for its hard and soft corals. It is also a deep diving site whose depth is between 25 to 30 metres. 

Best for: Experienced and Advanced divers

What to spot: White-tip sharks, stingrays, moray eels, groupers, tuna etc.

Dixon’s Pinnacle: Dixon’s Pinnacle is known for its 3 deep and rocky pinnacles that cover most parts of the reef. It is also a cleaning station for many marine animals. If you can make it to a diving depth of 16-35 metres, you may be able to spot some turtles and other large marine creatures lazing around getting their coats cleaned by reef fish.

Best for: Experienced and Advanced divers

What to spot: Soft corals, napoleon wrasse, moray eels, barrel sponges, reef fish, etc. 

Inglis Island: Located around 24 km away from Havelock Island, Inglis Island has a charm of its own. Here, the reef is shallow and the visibility is great, making it a great spot if you to try scuba diving for the first time. Dive Andaman arranges snorkelling and scuba diving trips to Inglis Island. 

Best for: Beginners

What to spot: Elk horn corals, table corals, sponges, reef fish, finger corals, etc. 

Dive Sites in Neil Island

Neil Island is not only celebrated for its stunning beaches and lush landscapes but also for the majestic underwater world that surrounds it. If you are looking for a less crowded diving experience, you should head to Neil Island. The island offers a range of captivating dive sites with rich marine biodiversity and vibrant coral reefs.

K-Rock: Dive close to a volcanic rock at the K-rock dive spot. The sandy bottom is home to a variety of marine life and there are many small crevices for you to explore while you are down there. The diving depth is around 12-19 metres making it suitable for all kinds of divers. 

Best for: Beginners and experienced divers

What to spot: Snappers, Butterflyfish, Angelfish, Sweetlips, etc. 

Margherita’s Mischief: Another great place to spot dugongs is Margherita’s Mischief, located just 3 km north of Neil Island. The diving spot is actually a long line of mounds that is home to a variety of grass loved by dugongs. You may also spot many eels and shrimps while you are down diving at a depth of 12-15 metres. 

Best for: Beginners and experienced divers

What to spot: Dugongs, moray eels, stingrays, nudibranchs, etc. 

Junction: This is another one in the big leagues with a dive depth of 28-34 metres under the sea. It is also a chain of rocky mounds like Margherita’s Mischief but unlike the other, you’d have to be an experienced diver to explore Junction. If you just go to Dive Andaman, they’ll arrange a boat for the transport within its scuba diving package itself. 

Best for: Intermediate and Advanced divers

What to spot: Napoleon wrasse, moray eels, manta rays, reef sharks, Barracuda, etc. 

Jetty Channel Marker: The Jetty Channel Marker diving spot is a stunning reef located close to the jetty channel marker near Neil Island. The dive depth here is around 5-12 metres.

Best for: Beginners 

What to spot: Sting rays, Trevally, Angelfish, Barracuda, pufferfish, etc. 

Bus Stop: If scuba diving is on your bucket list for your New Year celebration in Andaman Islands 2024, you should head to Bus Stop, which is just 3 km from Neil Island. With a diving depth of 1430 metres, it is a great diving spot for beginners. 

Best for: Beginners 

What to spot: Soft corals, reef fish, Angelfish, garden eels, etc. 

Dive Sites in Port Blair

Port Blair not only serves as a gateway to this tropical paradise but also offers a unique and diverse range of scuba diving experiences. Port Blair’s dive sites are primarily meant for beginners, so, if you want to take your first steps into the world of scuba diving, you should take your PADI-certified courses as well as introductory dives in the capital.

Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Wandoor: If there’s one place in Port Blair where you should start your scuba diving journey, it is Wandoor Beach. You are bound to be stunned by the stunning coral reefs residing under the water at Wandoor. 

Best for: Beginners 

What to spot: 50 kinds of coral reefs, Butterflyfish, Angelfish, Sweetlips, etc.

Corruption Rock: You must try diving at Corruption Rock, which is located between Chidiya Tapu and Rutland Island near Port Blair. It is a stunning diving spot that has a huge rock and many channels, canyons, and ridges.

Best for: Beginners and experienced divers

What to spot: Dolphins, eagle rays, snappers, tuna, reef sharks, etc.

Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Jolly Buoy: Jolly Buoy is a serene island located close to Port Blair. The water is clear, so the visibility is great even at a depth of 12 metres. It is a great place to spot corals. 

Best for: Beginners 

What to spot: Hard corals, soft corals, reef fish

Snake Island: Around 9 km away from Port Blair close to Corbyn’s Cove is Snake Island, a not-so-famous but great spot for scuba diving. The water here is incredibly clear, making it easier to spot the colourful corals and diverse marine creatures. It is a fantastic spot to start your scuba diving journey.

Best for: Beginners 

What to spot: Hard corals, soft corals, reef fish, molluscs, rays, etc.

Rutland Island: Rutland Island lies around 20 km away from Port Blair and is one of the most beautiful islands you will see around Port Blair. It is a perfect diving spot if you are a beginner and need training in scuba diving. The diving depth here is almost 12 metres. 

Best for: Beginners 

What to spot: Hard corals, turtles, soft corals, reef fish, eagle rays, etc.

North Button Island: Located 74 km away from Port Blair, North Button Island is part of the North Button Island National Park. Away from the crowds, the island is known for its clear and calm water rendering great visibility. 

Best for: Beginners and experienced divers

What to spot: Hard corals, tuna, trevally, unicorn fish, etc. 

South Button Island: Part of the Rani Jhansi Marine National Park, South Button is located close to Havelock Island. It is a popular spot for scuba divers, especially if you are a beginner. The depth starting at 6 and going as deep as 30 metres, is great to spot a myriad of sea creatures especially because the visibility is great. 

Best for: Intermediate and advanced divers. 

What to spot: Barracuda, trevally, snappers, angelfish, manta rays, etc. 

Celebrate your New Year 2024 in the Andaman Islands with a Bang

Water sports are a great way to spend your New Year in Andaman Islands. But nothing can replace a party. If you are looking to let your hair down this New Year 2024, head to Havelock Island Beach Resort, which hosts the biggest and hottest New Year party in all of the Andaman archipelago. 

DJ night: Enjoy a banging New Year’s night with some heady music from the resident DJ at Havelock Island Beach Resort’s Nemo Café and Beach Bar. The bar along with the resort stands close to the famous Govind Nagar Beach in Havelock Island, so expect the best beach party of your lifetime. From soulful romantic numbers to ultimate Punjabi dance bangers, you can request any number of songs from the DJ. 

Pool Party and Rain Dance: Yes, you read that right. If you don’t want to head to the beach, you can enjoy a great pool party at the resort’s premises itself. Add to that an artificially created rain smack in the middle of your party, will make your New Year 2024 in Andaman Islands a night to remember.

Massive Buffet: Food completes every party. For this New Year 2024 celebration in Andaman Islands, you can enjoy a buffet with more than 50 items at Havelock Island Beach Resort. Whether you are a vegetarian or a non-vegetarian, you can enjoy all kinds of cuisine at the buffet. Add to that excellent alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and you have a perfect New Year’s night. The price for the buffet is INR 3500-4000 without alcoholic beverages and INR 5000-6000 with alcoholic beverages.