Frequently Asked Questions

Answer: The Slope is an amazing place to scuba dive thanks to the incredibly rich marine life that survives underwater. Since it is close to another diving spot, the Wall, which experiences strong currents and offers a deep dive, you’ll be able to explore much interesting and exotic fish at Slope as well. Barracudas and moray eels are very common at the Slope they like to swim close to the underwater ridges. What is most widely seen at the Slope is the variety of shrimps that swim in massive groups. You’ll be able to witness groups of ambon shrimps, cleaner shrimps, and even Durban dancing shrimps. Among the giants are scorpionfish, wrasses, giant clams, Buford’s crocodile flathead, and sea kraits. You’ll mostly see giant gorgonian corals among the many sloping ridges at the Slope, Havelock Island.

Answer: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are known for their stunning underwater world and diverse marine life, making it a perfect destination for scuba diving enthusiasts. By taking the scuba diving course in the Andamans, you will gain the necessary knowledge and skills to explore the underwater world with a certified dive professional. You will be able to witness colourful corals, schools of fish, and larger marine animals such as turtles, reef sharks, and manta rays.

You will need basic scuba diving equipment, including a wetsuit, fins, mask, regulator, and BCD, as well as a dive computer and a surface signaling device. Some dive centers may provide specialized equipment such as drift lines.

Answer: The cost of scuba diving at the Slope depends on what kind of package you take. While instructors and boat rides are common and required parts of all packages, you may decide to have a video and photo session of your scuba diving experience added to it. Generally, most scuba diving packages for beginners can be anything between INR 4500 to INR 7000 depending on what you add to your package and how much time you want to spend on your dive. Most dives last between 30-60 minutes. Beginners and non-swimmers are recommended 40-45 minutes per dive. If you want to learn scuba diving, your cost may vary depending on the number of days you want to spend on your training. The number of dives you will take also determines the cost. The starting price is usually INR 6500 but can go upwards to INR 20000. Experienced divers who may or may not need instructors can pay around INR 5000-7000 per dive at the Slope in Havelock Island.

Answer: No, prior scuba diving experience is not necessary to take the PADI scuba diver course. The course is designed to teach you the necessary knowledge and skills to dive with a certified dive professional. What you do need to know is to swim. Having good swimming skills is important if you want to pursue any scuba diving course.

The cost of the PADI Drift Diver course can vary depending on the dive center and location, but it typically ranges from 10,000 to 20,000 Indian rupees.

Answer: The simple boat ride to the Slope diving spot from Havelock Island can take you 15 to 20 minutes. However, the only way to get to the Slope is via Havelock Island. Unfortunately, you cannot reach Havelock Island directly either. You have to take a ferry ride from the capital city of Andaman and Nicobar Island, Port Blair. The capital city has an international airport and you can fly down to the city directly from many major cities of India and some neighbouring countries. From Port Blair, you can take a public ferry from the jetty for just around INR 300 to 500. It can take you around 2-3 hours to reach Havelock from Port Blair since the island is 70 km away from the capital. But, since the view from the ferry is incredible, you will find the 3 hours pass by very quickly.

Answer: The PADI scuba diver course consists of three main parts: knowledge development, confined water dives, and open water dives. During the knowledge development phase, you'll learn the basics of scuba diving theory through PADI’s e-learning platform. You can also opt for in-person sessions from your instructor; however, the online doesn’t take a lot of time and you can do it at your own pace. The confined water dives involve practising scuba skills in a swimming pool or shallow water. Finally, the open water dives are where you'll apply your skills and explore the underwater world. The scuba diver course typically takes 2-3 days to complete. You’ll be diving to a maximum depth of 12 meters (40 feet). This depth limitation is because the course is an introductory course and is designed to provide individuals with the necessary knowledge and skills to dive with a certified dive professional.

If you have a medical condition, you should consult with a doctor before taking the PADI Drift Diver course. You may need to obtain medical clearance from a doctor to ensure that it is safe for you to scuba dive.

Answer: Havelock is a paradise of incredible scuba diving spots. The closest to Slope is the Wall, which was the first diving site to be discovered on Havelock Island. If you are a beginner, you can try Aquarium and Lighthouse apart from the Slope. You can also try White House Rock and Turtle Bay if you want to try scuba diving. More experienced divers can try Jackson’s Bar, Minerva’s Ledge, Mac Point, Seduction Point, Pilot Reef, South Button, etc.