Night Scuba Diving in Andaman: A Magical Underwater Experience

The Andaman Islands are a destination for all things ocean. They are world-renowned for their stunning turquoise waters, coral reefs, and marine life. Scuba diving in Andaman is unmatched during the day, with schools of fish and tonnes of beautiful, coloured coral gardens; however, scuba diving at night is an experience that takes the diver encounter to another place of magic and wonder. Just to think that you drop down below the surface into the ocean at night. During night scuba diving in Andaman, the only light is your dive torch as the water and surrounding environment transform from a familiar place to a world of mystery in the darkness. Each inch you drop beneath the surface, the calmness of darkness envelops you, while the cooler temperature of the water cures you; bioluminescent plankton mascots light the night, and your dive torch reveals the pitch blackness of the water. Each move you make below the surface encourages you to think you see critters only in your imagination: lobsters, octopuses, and crabs. At night reef fish start their evening forage just above the reef. 

Diving at night in the Andamans allows divers to discover marine life in a way that they have never experienced before. The corals display bright greens, blues, yellows, and red shades that shimmer in different ways under artificial light, anddivers experience the magic of exploring the unknown. It is definitely one of the top 10 things to do in the Andaman; paired with exploring the ocean at night, the experience is unforgettable.  Popular dive spots, including Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep), Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep), and North Bay Island, all offer certified night dives for either beginners or experienced divers, under the supervision of a professional instructor. Night scuba diving in the Andaman Islands should be on your diving list. Whether you are an experienced diver looking for another thrill or doing something new for the first time, it is something you don't want to miss. It is an experience which is a combination of calm, mystery, and pure beauty that only the underwater world can provide once the sun has gone down. It is a truly magical experience to explore the underwater world in the dark of the night. 

What is night scuba diving?

Scuba diving at night presents a special experience, offering something unique under the water, starting when the sun sets and divers have entered black water, with dive torches and gauged gear. Night diving is quite different from day diving for both visual experience and emotional response. As you descend deeper into the uncertainty of darkness, you are enveloped in silence, and every light, movement, or shadow you see is in a realm far from day. Your senses are extremely heightened as your awareness of your breath, the soft undulation of the water, and the visually striking splashes of colours from the pink reef coral and the blue darting schools of fish are all increasingly sharp to your senses under these new and different circumstances. 

Diving at night is a completely different encounter, level of seeing, and experience of the underwater world in the Andaman Islands, with all of the thriving life and vivid moments. Most marine nocturnal species are active when it gets dark, including crustaceans, octopus, squid, lionfish, or even bioluminescent plankton that briefly illuminate waves of motion, colour, and life under the water, more than the ordinary experience of swimming during daylight. If someone is looking for something different than an ordinary travel time experience, scuba diving together in the Andaman Islands at night ensures a chance to experience these realities together with the ocean at night.

Why Try Night Scuba Diving in the Andaman Islands? 

The Andaman Islands feature extremely clear waters and healthy coral reefs, limited diving traffic, and are therefore a frequently recommended night diving location in India. Here are a couple of ideas to integrate them into the diving itinerary: 

• On nights there is no moon, plankton will shine like a little star. This beautiful natural phenomenon can only happen when natural light is limited or dark.
• You will have the opportunity to see lobsters, light crustaceans, lionfish, and turtles at night while they are sleeping.
• Being out in the water in limited light makes a separation that provides a sense of immersion and freedom from safety distractions.
• Warm water, little current, and no visibility are additional factors that not only add to the experience but also are perfect conditions for new divers to take their first night dive with an inexperienced instructor.

Best Places for Night Scuba Diving in Andaman

1. Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)

When it comes to night dives in the Andaman Islands, Havelock Island is the choice. There are many reputable dive centres that provide guided night dives at this location. Diver Andaman and Barefoot Scuba are the two most respected dive centres and the most popular to be found taking divers for guided dives at night.

2. Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep)

In contrast, Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) is less populated and an easy & relaxing night diving trip with fewer divers to contend with. The larger reef formations (e.g., Laxmanpur Reef) will have large, healthy coral compositions and a variety of nocturnal creatures, often in calm water. 

3. Port Blair

For individuals that are on a short time frame, North Bay and Chidiya Tapu are a short distance for those looking for a quick night dive. Both sites are easy to access and are great for beginners or those diving under an instructor's guidance.

What Will You See Underwater at Night? 

After sundown, the ocean changes. All the marine life that has emerged during the day is usually finding a spot to hunker down for the night, and a totally new cast of species is roaming around in the night with scuba diving in Andaman: 

• Many corals bloom (open) under darkness to feed and to promote interesting patterns of fluorescence.
• Divers might see a reef shark or barracuda coming slowly by in the black water.
• Lobsters, shrimps, squid, and octopus are all organisms that are active at night. 

Who Can Try Night Scuba Diving in the Andaman Islands? 

You do not need to have advanced experience in scuba diving to night dive. Anyone with basic scuba diving training can do this activity with a professional dive guide.

• Certified Divers: Open Water Divers and Adv. Open Water Divers can also night dive without any additional training.
• Beginners: Some dive centres may have guided night dives after a day-long instruction to allow beginners to do their first dive safely.
• Minimum Requirements: Generally, divers will need to be 12 years old, physically fit, and comfortable underwater.

Safety Tips for Night Diving

1. You should always dive with a buddy. Never conduct a night dive alone. You will be safer and have more confidence navigating a dive site with a dive partner you can depend on.
2. Bring a dive light that you trust. A primary and secondary torch will help reduce disorientation in dark water.
3. Know the dive site. Attempt night diving only in a location you have previously dived in during the day.
4. Stay with your dive team. Maintain visual contact with your dive buddy, and focus on light signals from the dive leader.
5. Practice using the signalling devices correctly. Work on your light signals and practise them below the surface.
6. Stay neutral. Staying at a neutral buoyancy will help reduce the chance of accidentally contacting corals or marine life when diving at night.
7. Plan your dive and dive your plan. Discuss your limitations on depth, time, and an emergency plan with your dive team.
8. Don't shine light on marine life. As a courtesy to the nocturnal marine life, ensure you are directing the light away from the marine life.
9. Control ascent. Be conscious of your depth gauge as you ascend slowly to avoid decompression sickness.
10. Relax and enjoy. Don't overanalyse the experience, as it might create some tension during your dive at night. 

Best Time for Night Scuba Diving in Andaman

The best time of year for night scuba diving in the Andaman Islands is from October to May, when the sea is so calm, has visibility for 30 metres and the weather is perfect for diving. The water temperature fluctuates between 26°C and 29°C, giving beginners and certified divers a comfortable diving experience. The clear skies and marine life after a monsoon really add to the night diving experience in coral reefs, and the visibility of bioluminescent plankton makes night diving in the Andaman wondrous. Hence, plan your watersports dive schedule during this time so you can get the safest and most spectacular night diving experience in Andaman. 

Cost of Night Scuba Diving in Andaman

Prices vary depending on the dive centre and equipment inclusions. 

• Certified Divers: ₹4,000–₹6,000 per night dive (including gear).
• Introductory Night Dives: ₹5,000–₹7,000 with instructor support during the dive.
• Combo Packages: Discounts are available on different packages and group bookings.

Night Scuba Diving: A Thrilling Experience 

Night scuba diving in Andaman is not just a scuba dive; it is a heavenly journey that crosses all dimensions of earthly time and space to connect you deeper with the ocean and its secrets. There is something about a calm ocean illuminated by the moon that transforms scenes into a wonderland of light, corals shimmering, sleeping diurnal animals, and bioluminescent phytoplankton shallowly glowing in the deep dark blue oceans like an exhibit abandoned to rest a hundred feet below, where we see the stars. Each descent provides fresh personal experiences that will never be the same and are surreal compared to what it looks like every other night, which is witnessing the hidden world that only occurs at night. 

Supervised by professional instructors, even novices can experience the wonder of the underwater world by participating in meticulously supervised experiences. Imagine an octopus chasing down its breakfast, a lobster or fish scurrying, or, on rare occasions, seeing a reef fish sleeping safely in its coral housing. The ocean is full of hidden treasures, but only a handful have been privileged enough to experience what you will see on that dive. If you are travelling to the Andaman, plan on adding this experience to your plans, as not only do you want to have the unique dive, but also because some of the best moments of the ocean occur when it is at rest. Diving at night in the Andamans is not just a scuba dive. It is, in fact, a divine experience.