Diving Sites in Port Blair
The PADI Open Water Diver certification is an entry-level scuba diving certification that authorizes you to dive with a certified dive buddy at a maximum depth of 18 meters (60 feet). It is a widely recognized scuba diving certification worldwide and is considered the most popular in the industry.
Answer: While there is no upper age limit, you need to be a minimum of 10 years of age to enrol for the open water diving course. You can also enrol in deep diving courses once you have an open water diving certificate; however, you have to be at least 15 years to be eligible for that.
Answer: Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park is located on SH8, Port Blair, Andaman Islands. From the capital’s Central Bus Stand, it is about 25 kilometers away. In order to reach Wandoor, the place where the park is situated, you will require to hire a bus or a taxi. It will take you about 45 minutes to reach. In fact, the park is easily accessible by road from all the prominent cities of the islands.
You can get a bus from Port Blair to Wandoor very easily - they run about every 30 minutes. The local ones ply from 6 in the morning to 8 at night. All you need is a day to spend to reach the park and get back.
The PADI Deep Diver Course in Andaman is similar to the course offered in other locations. It is designed to provide divers with the necessary skills and knowledge to safely dive deeper into underwater environments in the Andaman Islands, which are known for their diverse marine life and unique underwater topography. The course typically includes four open water dives and classroom sessions, covering topics such as deep diving equipment, gas management, physiological effects of deep diving, and emergency procedures. The course is taught by certified PADI instructors, who ensure that the participants receive the best possible training and guidance.
Answer: Unfortunately, not. While you can scuba dive without knowing how to swim, to be able to enrol in a scuba certification course, you’d need to know how to swim. Scuba certification courses are more intensive than general diving and involve learning certain tricks in the water that are not possible without knowing how to swim. Also, if you want to pursue more advanced courses, you will need to know how to swim.
Answer: The ideal time for visiting Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park is between October and February. During these months, the days are pleasant and nights are cool, which makes it perfect for a traveler.
To enrol in the PADI Deep Diver Course in Andaman, you must meet the following prerequisites: you must be at least 15 years old, have a PADI Adventure Diver certification or equivalent, and have completed the PADI Enriched Air Diver course or have a certification for nitrox diving from another recognized training organization. These requirements ensure that you have the necessary knowledge and skills to safely and confidently plan and execute deep dives. It is important to note that if you have a medical condition, you may need to obtain clearance from a physician before starting the course.
Answer: Good news; it does not cost a lot to enrol in a scuba diving course. Most open water basic courses start at INR 6,500 but can go up to INR 20,000 depending on the length and depth of the course. If you want to learn a range of things in your training, that will inflate your cost, too. Most scuba diving courses come in a package that includes the gears, boat rides, and instructors for the duration of your program.