Scuba Diving in Neil Island – Spots, Prices & Experience

If you want a lifetime experience while scuba diving in Neil Island. Located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Neil Island is a complete diver's paradise which is known for its healthy coral reefs, transparent crystal-clear waters and rich marine life. Neil Island is suitable for both complete scuba diving beginners and certified divers. Neil Island has some of the best dive sites in India, with pristine settings, untouched beauty and some of the most memorable diving experiences you will ever have. At Dive Andaman, our goal is to help you to fulfil your underwater dreams. 

As a PADI 5-Star Dive Centre, our main objectives are to create an experience that is safe, fun and memorable – underwater. Each and every time you dive with us, you will be under the direct supervision of either Josh or Cameron, both qualified instructors. Safety, professionalism, and fun will be the focus for you, whether it is your first time scuba diving or doing an advanced diving certification. In this complete guide to scuba diving in Neil Island, we will show you everything you need to know about scuba diving, including where to dive, our decorated prices for scuba diving and packages, what it is like to scuba dive, tips for scuba diving, and more! 

Why Choose Neil Island for Your Dive?

Many divers head directly to Swaraj Dweep (Havelock Island), but Neil is an excellent place for scuba diving in Neil Island, as it provides: 

• Less crowded and a friendly island atmosphere.
• Good water clarity and plenty of marine life.
• Beginners have friendly sites and dive options for certified divers who want fun dives.
• Complete PADI 5-Star backed by Dive Andaman's professional infrastructure.  

Top Scuba Diving Spots in Neil Island

1. Bharatpur Beach 

Bharatpur Beach is considered one of the best beginner dive sites on Neil Island, as it is shallow, calm, and visibility is good, making it perfect for a first scuba dive! You'll be surprised by the diversity of (corals) and (reef) fish, including angelfish, clownfish, butterflyfish, and parrotfish (the fish names can differ slightly). This site is an option for someone who has only had low-level training, but the staff at Dive Andaman will professionally assess your skills and know how to give you a fun and safe dive experience, even if you can't swim! 

2. Jetty Reef 

Shortly thereafter on the dive, you will arrive at Jetty Reef, which is just nearby and has an incredible variety of marine species and corals, as it is one of the secret dive sites on Neil Island! The site is dense with soft corals and has a wide demonstration of macro life and might also have lionfish and even nudibranchs and possibly be envied by an octopus hiding in the coral! Jetty Reef is a more than competent site for new scuba divers or certified divers, as it is a laid-back but fun dive.

3. Margherita’s Mischief 

Margherita's Mischief is one of the most beautiful and varied sites for scuba diving on Neil Island. The site features sandy patches surrounding coral bommies (heads) that host an abundance of marine life. If lucky, you may witness schools of batfish, snappers, groupers, and generally, rays floating effortlessly through the blue. The gentle conditions of Margherita's Mischief make it a good option for any level diver. 

4. Junction 

The Junction is an exciting dive site where two reefs come together, and there is a lot of marine activity here. The site is perfect for a certified or advanced diver seeking adventure. You may encounter large pelagic fish like trevally, barracuda, and rays, which are commonly encountered. The currents are slightly stronger in this area, so it is a more exciting dive; the rewards are worth the journey, and the sheer volume of life here is amazing. 

5. Rocky’s Reef 

A great option for those divers looking for a bit more depth and isolation is Rocky’s Reef. This site has beautiful stretches of hard and soft corals and schools of fusiliers and marine reef fish. Occasionally divers are rewarded with sightings of rays and turtles. This site is a must-see for those who truly want to see the beauty of the marine environment. 

Prices & Packages for Scuba Diving in Neil Island

At Dive Andaman, we are committed to providing you with clear and valuable pricing so that you have a clear understanding of what diving in Neil Island with us is going to cost you. Whether you are new to diving or are certified and experienced, we believe we have something for you in every situation. If you are looking for a fun and easy activity, our Guided Snorkelling from Boat in Neil Island is a great option at only ₹4,000. This is a nice way to kick off your day, allowing you to slowly and safely get into the ocean while seeing the shallow reefs and colourful marine life from the surface. 

If you are ready to dive, our Discover Scuba, or Try Dive, package is perfect for you as a new diver, starting around ₹7,500. You will experience all of the excitement of breathing underwater, and it is all done under the supervision of our certified instructors, all while you are safely examining the reefs of Neil Island. Certified divers will enjoy an even better value with our Fun Dive Packages, which allow you to complete multiple dives. Our 12-dive package starts at around ₹8,000, allowing you to get your money's worth while you are making memories diving all the best dive sites around Neil Island. If you are looking for options for a skill upgrade or the opportunity to dive deeper in dives of all lengths, you will be able to find what you're looking for.

What to Expect on Your Scuba Diving Experience? 

1. Pre-Dive Briefing & Gear Setup
   The day will kick off with your scuba instructor (who will be a PADI instructor), where you will cover safety, check the gear you are using, and, if there are any new divers, practise basic skills.
2. Entry & Underwater Experience
   If you are a beginner, you will practise in shallow water, and then your instructor will take you on a guided dive to a controlled depth of approximately 6-12 m. Divers who are already certified are welcome to participate in the dive to the boat dive site to explore the deeper reefs of Andaman, which range from 18 to 25 m depending on conditions and certification level.
3. Dive Duration & Return
   In the Andaman region, the underwater time is typically around 30-45 mins underwater (or until the diver's safety is ensured). Additional time must be accounted for boat transport or transfer, if applicable. Once you return to the surface, home or the dive centre will allow you to debrief after getting a log of your dive or any photos/videos, if applicable.
4. Safety & Environment
   Dive Andaman prides itself on responsibly engaging in tourism. In this spirit of environmental awareness, our team is active in organising reef and underwater clean-ups where possible, as well as reducing diver impact when/where possible. We ask all divers to respect the reef and the marine life that inhabit it by not touching corals or marine animals, and proper buoyancy techniques will be reviewed and reinforced to facilitate this objective. 

Best Time for Scuba Diving in Neil Island

For your best scuba diving conditions on Neil Island, here is what you need to know:

• The ideal season for diving between the months of October and May operates on the assumption it is calmer and the visibility is better overall.
• During the monsoon season, the conditions are greatly present more current, rougher seas and less visibility; be advised.
• You generally get the best visibility and calmer conditions on an early morning dive, so pay accordingly. 

Tips for a Great Dive Experience

• It is best to sign up for a dive early, especially December-February, through Dive Andaman for the maximum quality time and equipment for your dive.
• Once at the dive shop, arrive with very light food (not a full stomach, and definitely NOT drunk) as it will lessen your discomfort.
• If you are not a very strong swimmer or diving for the first time, listen to your instructor, dive at your own pace and ask questions. Dive Andaman does have sites for non-swimmers.
• Please bring your own waterproof camera or GoPro to capture the underwater memories (ask if the dive centre has these or if they have a photo/video add-on).
• Be honest about your diving health: If you cannot dive due to any illness or ear issues, tell us at the dive shop (they will ask once you arrive) on the medical form.
• Besides diving, you may want to relax on the island as well. Neil Island is the place to do this, not only for the underwater adventure but also. 

Why Dive Andaman Should Be Your Choice? 

Why Dive Andaman has a particular advantage in providing scuba experiences on Neil Island: 

• Firstly, we are a PADI 5-Star Dive Centre, with trained instructors, professional gear, and a PADI member outpost.
• Secondly, our team is energetic and enthusiastic, and along with experience, this ensures that as a learner or certified diver, you are assured confidence and safety.
• Third, our approach to safety, training and environmental sustainability is why your adventure is exciting yet sustainable.
• Our pricing flexibility, simple pricing criteria, and fully cooperative logistical assistance (gear, transport, and dive planning) mean you simply have to arrive and dive. 

Scuba Diving in Neil Island: A Memorable Experience 

If you are planning a vacation to the Andaman Islands and want a truly exceptional and adventurous experience underwater, you will definitely want to take the excursion to scuba dive in Neil Island. Additionally, diving in Neil Island is fantastic because you can find a couple of dive companies that operate with PADI-certified instructors, have plenty of limited but quality scuba rental equipment, and have safety instruction and dive plans to put you at ease and confidently place you into the scuba experience, knowing that everything is operated in a professional way. Whether it is your first scuba venture or you have added the dive as one of the experiences to your final dive logbook, you will discover that when you leave the water, you have experienced the beauty of nature in Neil Island. 

You will swim with schools of reef fish of brilliant colour and will swim through beautiful soft and hard coral gardens. If you are lucky, you will see turtles, rays and reef sharks that join the dive. Not only do the sites around the island not have a lot of people around them and are relaxed, but you can also enjoy the marine habitat and serenity of the waters like you are in an aquarium. The natural beauty of Neil Island is an adventure or relaxation opportunity beyond a dive. Don't wait; get your diving time booked with Dive Andaman and prepare to pack your dive gear and get ready for the beautiful, mystical underwater world of Neil Island. Whether you are an adventurous diver looking for something new or a more comfortable, zen dive explorer, Neil Island has the dive experiences and treasures waiting to help you create memories that you’ll always have.