Rutland Island, Port Blair

Answer: Rutland Island is situated in the South Andaman area of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in India. The island is located about 20 kilometers from the capital city, Port Blair. Further, it is a part of the famous Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park and is popular for its exquisite coral reefs and rich marine life.

Answer: The ideal time for scuba diving on Rutland Island is from October to May. During these months of the year, the sea is usually calm and the weather is dry. This offers perfect visibility underwater, which is excellent for scuba diving. Nonetheless, we recommend you check the weather conditions and predictions prior to planning a trip to Rutland Island since the weather can be quite unpredictable in the Andamans.

Answer: Rutland Island is popular for its wide variety of marine life, such as a variety of species of reef fish, sharks, rays, and sea turtles. Moreover, the coral reefs in the region are popular for their gorgeous formations and vivacious colors. These offer habitat to a wide range of aquatic creatures.

Answer: On Rutland Island, you can choose from a range of scuba diving courses based on your requirement. There are courses available for everyone, from beginners to experienced divers. They are provided by certified scuba diving operators and are created to teach divers the required techniques and skills necessary for an enjoyable and safe scuba diving experience. Some of the popular courses offered by operators are Dive Master, Rescue Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, Open Water Diver, and Discover Scuba Diving.

Answer: In order to perform scuba diving on Rutland Island, you will require a scuba tank, weight belt, wetsuit, dive computer, buoyancy control device or BCD, regulator, snorkel, fins, and a mask. A majority of scuba diving operators on Rutland Island provide the required equipment to all their customers. Nonetheless, we recommend you get your own fins and mask so as to make sure that they fit perfectly and are comfortable for you.

Answer: Scuba diving is completely safe when performed properly with the guidelines in mind. It is crucial you take the necessary precautions and follow the instructions provided by your diving operator. These include not taking the plunge under the influence of drugs or alcohol, neither disturbing nor touching the aquatic life, and staying within the suggested depth limits. It is also suggested to get a certification in this water sport ahead of going for a dive in open water.

Answer: The answer to the question is yes. One can take photographs underwater while performing water sports on Rutland Island. Several scuba diving operators provide underwater photography and videography services. In case you are not a certified underwater photographer, we recommend you keep your camera aside and avail of their services. Also, remember to not disturb, touch, or move any marine creatures for the betterment of your photos or videos.

Answer: There are numerous diving spots on Rutland Island - each of them provides a rather special experience to divers. Some of the most sought-after diving spots on Rutland Island are The Wall, Barracuda City, and Margherita’s Mischief. The first is a vertical drop-off that provides a tempting experience of diving. Barracuda City is famous for its schools of large fish and barracuda. And finally, Margherita’s Mischief is popular for its wide array of marine creatures as well as splendid coral formations.

Answer: The temperature of the water on Rutland Island varies from 25 to 30 degrees Celsius year-round. Not only is it warm but it is also ideal for scuba diving. This implies that divers can sport lightweight wetsuits and can even take the plunge in a swimsuit.

Answer: The average depth of water on Rutland Island for scuba diving varies from five to 20 meters. In fact, some diving spots even have depths of 30 meters. Nonetheless, the dive’s depth is entirely dependent on the diving site opted for and the experience of the diver.

Answer: Typically, the period of a diving session on Rutland Island is completely based on the diver’s experience level and the diving site they choose. Nonetheless, we can say that they usually last from 30 to 60 minutes. Further, a multiple-dive session can even last for as long as four hours.

No, non-swimmers are not allowed to perform scuba diving on Rutland Island. Scuba diving is a water sport that requires a minimum level of swimming ability and divers must be capable of swimming a minimum of 200 meters without any help.

However, contradictory to most diving operators, some of them provide beginner scuba diving programs to individuals who are not proficient in swimming.

Answer: The price for an individual’s scuba diving session on Rutland Island is dependent on the scuba diving operator, the duration of the dive, and the dive site opted for. Usually, a single dive can be priced between INR 3,500 and INR 6,000. A multiple-dive package is more expensive and can cost from INR 10,000 to INR 20,000.