Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Answer: Yes, an online version of the course is available and covers the same material as the classroom-based course, including videos, interactive quizzes, and other learning resources.

Yes, as a certified PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor, you can teach PADI courses internationally. However, you may need to meet additional requirements and obtain work permits or visas in some countries.

It's recommended that students have some experience diving before taking the PADI Underwater Navigator Course, but there is no specific time gap required between courses.

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.

Answer: There is no minimum age requirement, but some skills may be physically challenging for younger participants.

In India, you must renew your PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor certification every two years. To renew your certification, you must meet certain continuing education requirements and pay a renewal fee.

Yes, it's possible to dive with glasses or contact lenses, but it's recommended that you use a dive mask with prescription lenses or bring a backup set of glasses or contacts.

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.

Answer: The certification is valid for two years, and after that period, one must retake the course and pass the skills assessment to renew the certification.