Scuba Diving in Havelock Island — A First-Timer’s Experience

Last updated on May 26th, 2026 at 07:42 am

Reading Time: 9 minutes

I had been thinking about scuba diving in Havelock Island since before we even booked the Andaman trip. The plan was always there — just floating somewhere between “definitely doing this” and “let’s see how the weather is.”

The weather in Andaman had been difficult from the day we arrived. Rain at Chidiya Tapu, worse rain on the ferry from Port Blair to Havelock, brief sunshine at Kalapathar Beach the next day. Not ideal conditions for anything underwater.

But the morning of the dive — the sky cleared. And then everything moved fast.

The Morning It All Happened

We’d been going back and forth about when to dive. The weather made planning difficult — you don’t want to be underwater in rough conditions as a beginner.

That morning someone suggested we check with the dive centre before heading to Radhanagar Beach. Just to see if slots were available.

Upon Arrival at the Dive Center

The person at the counter — who turned out to be the owner — looked at the sky and said something I still think about:

“Why not right now? The weather is perfect. You never know how it behaves in an hour — right now is the best time.”

We looked at each other, thought for about thirty seconds, and said yes and would later go to Radhanagar Beach.

What Happens at the Dive Centre — Step by Step

If it’s your first time, here’s exactly what to expect:

You fill out a form disclosing any medical conditions — respiratory issues, heart conditions, or ear problems. This is standard and for your safety. If you have any of these, the instructor will guide you on whether you can proceed.

After the form, you watch a 12–15 minute instructional video covering equipment basics, underwater hand signals, and what to do if something feels wrong. Pay attention to this — especially the hand signals. You’ll actually use them.

Then you change into the diving suit and move to the water for a brief surface training before the actual dive.

The whole process from arrival to entering the water takes about 45–60 minutes.

Scuba Diving Outfit

The person brought the Scuba Diving suits for us to wear. Meanwhile, I noticed the changing room as we were required to take out our all-worn outfits.

At first impression, I thought I would need a more big dive suit, but that fitted excellently!

The diving suits were heavy and so tight that they would not let air get inside. At first, I got confused about how I should wear that. Ha-Ha! Eventually, it got settled.

So, we all got ready. Men in half-black!

Next, the person told us only to keep our bags in the shop. For communication purposes, someone may carry a mobile phone.

Since both of the other mates have an issue with their phones;

• For one mate, the phone got damaged due to getting wet in the rain.
• Poor mobile signals remained a problem for another.

Hence, I carried the mobile phone.

Reached Nemo Reef

The person sat on one of our Scooty, and we went to the Nemo reef on Havelock Island. And, it was hardly 3-4 mins away; we parked our Scooty on the roadside.

After walking for about 3-4 min, we reached the diving point. The person told us that our Divemasters would soon arrive; they were under the sea with other members.

Meantime, we thought of going near the sea.

Somewhat, I could see the human beings’ heads, who were undoubtedly practicing before their Dive.

Left to us, I saw the townspeople engaged in some Puja.

Shortly, I decided to go further inside the water. But, before that, I took my phone and slipper outside, where a member of the Diving Center was taking care of the other Scuba Diving gear.

The water was cold, and my leg’s shivered at the initial contact. Though I kept proceeding till the water touched my waist, I quietly stood there.

While waiting, I saw human beings coming out from the water. Immediately, the Divemaster showed us the hands to come further there.

The water level touched my chest as I reached there.

Scuba Diving Training

First, Introduction took place to make individuals comfortable. It’s essential to form a bond with the Divemaster because dependence is everything when you go undersea.

Do you know swimming? I replied, NO! Good to hear that, the Dive Master spoke. Because what happens is; that people take control into their own hands and often behave bossy underwater, the Dive Master further added.

The talk lasted shortly, and then the much-awaited scuba diving training commenced.

However, I got equipped with some gear beforehand.

Now is the critical part, which is a communication under the water.

Underwater Communication During Scuba Diving

Communication is of the highest importance in scuba diving, especially when you do it for the first time. Because typically, if you haven’t done that before, you tend to panic initially. And that’s normal.

So, to avoid the worst situation, communication underwater need to be understood and applied.

It’s not troublesome to learn; I practiced that in 10-15 minutes and then went underwater straightaway.

Some basic hand gestures need to be understood:

1. All Okay/Good

This gesture indicates that everything is fine underwater. You are feeling good and enjoying the moments.

2. Take Me Up

This gesture indicates that you wanted to come up from the water; possibly, you are uncomfortable then.

In that case, the Instructor would will take you up directly.

3. Take Me Down

This gesture shows that you want to go deep in the water; you love the happenings and want to relish them to the fullest.

In that case, the InInstructorill will take you deep, slowly, and steadily. You don’t even realize it.

4. Pointing Towards the Ear

This gesture ultimately tells that your ear got filled with water, and it’s somehow irritating and distracting you.

You need to press your nose and exhale either the instructor ourselves. It will get your ears open.

5. Pointing Towards the Mouth

This gesture shows that water collected in your mouthpiece might become a breathing barrier.

In that case, a button would be present ahead of your mouthpiece; you need to press it to release the water. Again, it will be taught to you while practicing.

6. Not Okay/Good

You are not feeling well and start to panic underwater. The Instructor will take you up and, if required, will take you out of water entirely.

These are some hand gestures that you should grasp.

Moving Further:

The Divemaster gave me the Diving mask that covered my eyes and nose tightly. Ultimately, the main aim of those masks is to protect your nose from getting the water inside; besides, you can see underwater.

Those were tight Scuba Diving masks, even tighter than the Scuba Suit. Ha-Ha!

The Dive — What It Actually Feels Like

I became equipped with all the essential gear. Are you ready? The Dive Master asked? A big YES came from my side.

Scuba Diving

Nemo Reef at Havelock is one of the most popular beginner dive sites in Andaman. The water is clear, the coral is colourful, and the marine life is active enough to make the dive genuinely memorable without being overwhelming.

The first few seconds underwater are the strangest. Your brain keeps telling you something is wrong — you’re breathing through a tube, you’re sinking, you’re surrounded by water. And then something shifts. You stop fighting it and start looking around.

The visibility was good that day. The reef stretched out in every direction — coral formations in shapes I couldn’t name, fish moving in schools, everything slower and quieter than any place I’d ever been.

And then — the clownfish.

I spotted them near a sea about four metres from where we were hovering. Small, orange, exactly like you’d expect. The instructor noticed me staring and guided me closer. We stayed there for a while. Just watching.

That was the moment the dive became worth every second of anxiety that came before it.

The depth for our beginner dive was approximately 9–12 metres. The time underwater was around 25 minutes. It felt like five.

I came out of the water.

The sky was visible; besides, the other mates came out simultaneously.

We stood there for some time and discussed the insights.

You can view the short video:

Amazing!

Meanwhile, the Instructor informed us that there’s currently a jeep under the water. So if you want to see that, you can go Diving the next day.

However, Scuba Diving was not possible repeatedly as we had to leave in the morning from Havelock Island to Port Blair.

Scuba Diving in Havelock Island — Cost and Booking

Discovery Dive (Beginner): ₹3,500–5,000 per person. This is the standard first-timer experience — no certification required, instructor accompanies you throughout.

Open Water Certification Course: ₹18,000–25,000. A 3–4 day course that certifies you to dive independently up to 18 metres depth. Worth it if you plan to dive regularly.

What’s included in the discovery dive price: Equipment, wetsuit, instructor, underwater photos or video in some packages — confirm this when booking.

Best dive centres at Havelock Island:

• Dive India — one of the most established operators at Havelock
• Barefoot Scuba — popular with first-timers, well-reviewed
• Andaman Bubbles — good beginner-focused setup

Book directly at Beach No. 3 (Vijaynagar Beach) or through your hotel. Walk-in is possible but during peak season (December–February) slots fill up — book the night before.

Can non-swimmers do scuba diving in Havelock? Yes. Discovery dives don’t require swimming ability. The instructor controls your buoyancy and depth throughout. You don’t need to do anything except breathe and look around.

Best Time for Scuba Diving in Havelock Island

October to May is the ideal window. Water is calm, visibility is 15–25 metres, and conditions are consistent.

December to February is peak season — best visibility, most operators running full schedules, but also the most crowded and expensive.

June to September is monsoon. Most dive centres close or significantly reduce operations. Visibility drops, seas are rough, and beginner dives are often cancelled entirely. I did my dive in Andaman in September — right at the tail end of monsoon — and the conditions were borderline. We got lucky with the weather that morning.

If you have flexibility, go between November and March.

Frequently Asked Questions — Scuba Diving in Havelock Island

• Is scuba diving safe for beginners in Havelock? Yes. Discovery dives are specifically designed for beginners with no prior experience. A certified instructor accompanies you throughout and controls the dive. The reef sites at Havelock are calm and shallow — suitable for first-timers.

• How much does scuba diving cost in Havelock Island? A discovery dive costs approximately ₹3,500–5,000 per person. Prices vary by operator and season. Peak season (December–February) rates are typically higher.

• Do I need to know swimming for scuba diving in Andaman? No. Discovery dives don’t require swimming ability. Your instructor manages buoyancy and depth. You just need to breathe normally through the regulator.

• How long is a beginner scuba dive in Havelock? Approximately 20–30 minutes underwater. The total time at the dive centre including training and equipment is 2–3 hours.

• What is Nemo Reef in Havelock? Nemo Reef is one of the most popular beginner dive sites at Havelock Island. Known for its clownfish, coral formations, and good visibility. Most discovery dives for beginners are conducted here.

• Can I do scuba diving in Andaman in September? Technically yes, but it’s the end of monsoon — conditions are unpredictable. Some days are fine, others see rough seas and cancelled dives. October onwards is significantly more reliable.

• What should I carry for scuba diving in Havelock? Light clothing you don’t mind getting wet, a change of clothes, slippers, sunscreen (apply before, not after the dive), and a waterproof bag for your phone and valuables. The dive centre provides all equipment.

Final Thoughts

Scuba diving in Havelock Island was the part of the Andaman trip I almost talked myself out of.

The weather had been difficult since we arrived. The timing felt uncertain. And there’s always that voice that says you’ll do it next time.

Don’t listen to that voice.

The thirty seconds of anxiety before you go underwater are worth every minute of what comes after.

If you’re planning an Andaman trip and feared about the scuba diving — go. You won’t regret it.

Planning your Andaman trip? Read my complete 6-day Andaman itinerary.