Here are some top scuba diving and snorkeling tours in the Andaman Islands, highlighting the locations and the underwater experiences, without specifying amounts or durations.
1. Havelock Island – Radhanagar Beach
Scuba Diving:
- Highlights: Radhanagar Beach is renowned for its clear waters and vibrant marine life, making it a popular spot for divers of all levels.
- What You’ll See: Colorful coral reefs, a variety of fish species, sea turtles, and sometimes small sharks.
Snorkeling:
- Highlights: Elephant Beach offers shallow coral reefs, perfect for beginners or those looking to casually explore the underwater world.
- What You’ll See: Coral gardens, schools of colorful fish, starfish, and sea anemones.
2. Neil Island
Scuba Diving:
- Highlights: Neil Island is known for its calm waters and less crowded dive spots, perfect for a relaxing diving experience.
- What You’ll See: Hard coral reefs, small fish, and occasional sightings of dolphins.
Snorkeling:
- Highlights: Laxmanpur Beach and Natural Bridge offer ideal conditions for snorkeling with clear, shallow waters.
- What You’ll See: Coral reefs, vibrant fish species, and occasionally sea turtles.
3. North Bay Island
Scuba Diving:
- Highlights: North Bay Island is famous for its rich marine biodiversity and crystal-clear waters, attracting both beginner and advanced divers.
- What You’ll See: Vibrant coral reefs, various species of fish, sea turtles, rays, and more.
Snorkeling:
- Highlights: North Bay is perfect for snorkeling, offering shallow, calm waters where you can easily spot marine life.
- What You’ll See: Colorful fish, starfish, coral gardens, and clear blue waters.
4. Baratang Island
Scuba Diving:
- Highlights: Baratang is less commercialized, offering secluded and tranquil dive spots with healthy coral reefs.
- What You’ll See: Coral reefs, various fish species, rays, and sometimes dolphins.
Snorkeling:
- Highlights: The calm beaches of Baratang are perfect for snorkeling, with shallow reefs and clear water.
- What You’ll See: Bright coral species, schools of fish, and starfish.
5. Cinque Island
Scuba Diving:
- Highlights: Known for its untouched and pristine environment, Cinque Island offers one of the best diving spots in the Andamans with deep dive sites.
- What You’ll See: Manta rays, diverse coral reefs, exotic fish species, and sometimes sharks.
Snorkeling:
- Highlights: Cinque Island’s crystal-clear waters make it perfect for snorkeling with vibrant coral reefs and abundant marine life.
- What You’ll See: Coral gardens, fish, starfish, and sea turtles.
6. Viper Island
Scuba Diving:
- Highlights: Viper Island offers a variety of dive spots with great underwater visibility, perfect for both beginners and experienced divers.
- What You’ll See: Vibrant fish, colorful coral reefs, and sometimes sea turtles.
Snorkeling:
- Highlights: Viper Island offers clear, calm waters ideal for snorkeling. The area is relatively quiet compared to other tourist spots.
- What You’ll See: Coral reefs, fish species, and starfish.
7. Andaman Scuba Diving Combo Tour
Scuba Diving & Snorkeling:
- Highlights: A combined tour where you can experience both scuba diving and snorkeling at famous Andaman locations like Elephant Beach and North Bay Island.
- What You’ll See: Coral reefs, fish, sea turtles, and occasionally rays or sharks. This combination allows you to experience both shallow waters for snorkeling and deeper dives for a more immersive experience.
8. Scuba Diving and Snorkeling Day Trips
Scuba Diving & Snorkeling:
- Highlights: Full-day trips that include both diving and snorkeling at different locations like Havelock, North Bay, and Elephant Beach, offering a mix of underwater experiences in one day.
- What You’ll See: Coral gardens, tropical fish, rays, and sea turtles. The trips provide a chance to explore various ecosystems and marine life across different islands.
Other Popular Dive and Snorkel Sites:
- Chidiya Tapu: Known for its scenic beauty, this area is ideal for snorkeling and also has some great dive spots, with a variety of fish species and corals.
- Turtle Bay: As the name suggests, this area is known for turtle sightings, making it a popular spot for both divers and snorkelers.
- Little Andaman: The waters here are rich in marine life, and it offers both great diving and snorkeling opportunities with a more off-the-beaten-path feel.
Tips for Booking Scuba Diving & Snorkeling Tours:
- Best Time: The best season for scuba diving and snorkeling in the Andamans is from October to April, when the weather is more stable, and visibility is excellent.
- Diving Experience: Many operators offer introductory dives for beginners, while experienced divers can explore deeper, more complex dive sites.
- Snorkeling Gear: Most tour operators provide snorkeling gear, but you can also bring your own for comfort and hygiene.
- Booking: It’s recommended to book tours in advance, especially during peak seasons, as popular spots can get crowded.