Frequently Asked Questions

It is important to consult with a medical professional and obtain clearance before taking the PADI Digital Underwater Photographer course if you have a medical condition. Some medical conditions may prevent you from diving or require special precautions.

Jackson’s Bar is located in the northeastern part of Havelock just about 19 km away from the island. The diving centre you book will offer a boat ride to the diving spot in its dive package. But to get to Jackson’s Bar you’d first have to travel to Havelock Island. Havelock does not have an airport of its own, so most people take a flight to the Veer Savarkar International Airport at Port Blair. From Port Blair, you can take a public ferry to Havelock Island from the Phoenix Jetty. It will cost you just around INR 300 - 500 to book a ferry ticket. Most ferries leave the jetty either early morning or in the afternoon. Havelock Island is around 70 km away from Port Blair, so it might take you 2-3 hours for you to reach your destination. The view promises to be spectacular, so do not worry about how you will spend time on the ferry.

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.

The cost of the PADI Advanced Rebreather Diver Course may vary depending on the dive center or shop where you take the course. However, the cost generally ranges between INR 80,000 to INR 1,00,000.

To enroll in the PADI Digital Underwater Photographer course, you must have a certification as an open-water diver or have an equivalent certification from another training organization. It is recommended that you have some scuba diving experience and feel comfortable underwater before taking the course.

The only deterrent to scuba diving is bad weather, which could either be heavy spells of rain, storm, or any kind of ocean activity that triggers high tide. You can scuba dive when the water is calm even if the current is strong. This means that you can go for a dive any time of the year; however, most people avoid the monsoon season as there are frequent and heavy rains around this time. The best time then to scuba dive at Jackson’s Bar in Havelock Island would be from November to March. Many people also visit the island in October and even until April. You can, of course, visit Andamans even after April; however, you’d have to be ready to have your scuba and even travel plans cancelled any moment because of rain.

No, it is a requirement that you know how to swim to enroll in the PADI Open Water Diver course.

The PADI Advanced Rebreather Diver Course is offered by several certified dive centers and shops in India. You can check the PADI website to find a list of PADI dive centers and shops in your area that offer the course.

Yes, you can retake the PADI Digital Underwater Photographer course if you feel you need more practice or would like to improve your skills further.

Since only experienced divers go to Jackson’s Bar, you may be charged around INR 4500-7000 per dive. Your dive will include an instructor who’s familiar with the topography of Jackson’s Bar, a boat ride, and even videos and photos of your dive if you want them to be included in your dive package. If you are looking for special scuba certifications, you may have to pay more depending on the number of days of your training and the number of dives you’ll take. Usually, the cost in such cases would be between INR 6500-20,000.