Frequently Asked Questions

Answer: Some of the prettiest beaches in the Andaman Islands are located in Shaheed Dweep. The scenic beaches boast white sands and uninterrupted views of the clear blue skies. During monsoon, the sight changes entirely as the sky becomes way too dramatic. The most popular beaches of Neil Island are Sitapur Beach, Bharatpur Beach, Lakshmanpur Beach, and Sir Hugh Rose Island. You can book your stay nearby Lakshmanpur or Sitapur beach at a fancy resort.

PADI Discover Scuba Diving Course is offered by many dive centers and resorts in India. Some popular destinations for the course include Goa, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep Islands, and Pondicherry.

The certification does not have an expiration date and is valid for life.

If you are a beginner at scuba diving and want a scuba certification, you may have to shell out anything between INR 6500 to INR 20,000. This would vary depending on the various types of training you want and the number of dives you want to take. Scuba diving training can be for just one day and extend up to 10 days. Non-swimmers, who can’t have a scuba certification, have to pay around INR 4500-INR 7000 for the dive. Your diving package may include an instructor who’ll be with you throughout your dive and a boat ride. It would also include a video and photo package, but sometimes you have the option to opt out of the video package.

Answer: The best time to visit Neil Island is from October to April when the weather is pleasurable. Most of the people preferring to come here plan their Andaman trip during this time. The summer season is likely to be avoided.

The cost of the course varies depending on the dive center or resort. It usually ranges from INR 4,000 to INR 7,000. The price may include equipment rental, training materials, and certification fees.

Yes, the theoretical portion of the course can be completed online through PADI eLearning. However, the practical portion of the course must be completed in person with a certified PADI instructor.

Minerva’s Ledge is around 18 km away from Havelock Island, so it takes around 15-20 minutes to reach the dive site by boat. The light current will, of course, make the journey faster. To reach Havelock Island, you’ll have to take a ferry from Port Blair. Havelock does not have an airport, so you’ll land at the international airport at Port Blair. Most ferries from Port Blair leave once in the morning and once in the afternoon. It will take you 2-3 hours to reach your destination as Havelock is around 70 km away from Port Blair.

Answer: If you choose to for boat diving in the Andaman Islands, then it will cost you around Rs. 6500 for one dive. And if you decide to go for the boat dive speciality, then the charges would be nearly Rs. 10,000 for one dive.

You don’t need to purchase any scuba diving equipment for PADI Discover Scuba Diving Course. The dive center or resort will provide all the necessary equipment, including a wetsuit, fins, mask, regulator, buoyancy control device (BCD), and tanks.