Overview
Get to know about what makes Neil Island an ideal diving destination. Learn about the best dive spots in Neil Island, marine life you can spot, and things to know before you actually “dive in”.
| Table of Contents |
| Scuba Diving in Neil Islands |
| Why Neil Island Is a Popular Scuba Dive Spot |
| Top Scuba Dive Spots in Neil Islands |
| Things to know Before Scuba Dive in Neil Island |
| Cost of Scuba Diving in Neil Islands |
Scuba Diving in Neil Islands
Scuba Diving is one such exhilarating water sport for ocean lovers that stays imprinted on their minds even after leaving Neil Island. This naturally blessed island has phenomenal scuba dive spots with manageable ocean currents and marine life. Hence a number of divers both new and experienced can easily dive in here and watch the colourful oceanic world of corals and fish.
Neil island (now known as Shaheed Dweep) is a remarkably tiny island of the large Andaman archipelago. It’s only roughly 13.7 km sq. in size with a coastline stretching up to 19.4 km. The main centre of the island is Neil Kendra where tourists visit for shopping and learning about dive shops.
If you are someone who is planning to go for a refreshing diving session in Neil island, you are at the right place. This blog will help you learn about the best diving spots in Neil Island and what to expect in terms of sea life.
Why Is Neil Island a Popular Scuba Dive Spot?
Let’s look at the top factors as to why Neil Island is a popular dive spot in Andaman Islands:
1. Less Crowded than Havelock
When planning an Andaman tour, many people choose to visit Havelock Island as part of the standard itinerary. Havelock Island’s Elephant Beach is usually crowded, especially in the peak tourist season, thereby making the dive sites crowded. If you are someone who likes peaceful beaches and less crowded dive sites, Neil Island is the right choice for you.
2. Excellent Underwater Visibility
Neil Island has picture-perfect underwater visibility that makes coral and fish sightings a memorable experience. In the peak season, the visibility extends from 20 metres to 30 meters which is ideal for photography and video recording.
3. Diverse Marine Life
The real thrill of scuba diving actually comes when one gets to spot beautiful marine life. Dive sites around Neil Island have a good population of corals, batfish, snappers, groupers, rays. And if you are really lucky, you may spot sea turtles and dugong (sea cow).
4. Beginner Friendly
Don’t know how to dive, not a problem. Neil Island’s easy-to-navigate dive sites are excellent for first timers who want to test the waters (quite literally) and witness the beautiful underwater world.
Top Scuba Dive Spots in Neil Islands
Let’s look at the top scuba diving spots in Neil Island to know about before booking your first Neil Island dive experience.
| Name of the Dive Site | Depth | Category (Ideal for) | What to Expect? | Marine Life to Spot |
| Light House | 5 to 10 m | Beginners | Located just ½ km from Neil jetty. This shallow dive site is ideal for beginners and good for non-swimmers. | shrimps, crocodilefish, batfish, clamps, puffers, occasionally a turtle. |
| Jetty Channel Marker | 7-11 m | Beginner-Intermediate | The shallow side is 7 m deep, perfect for beginners scuba divers while the other side is 11 m deep, great for intermediate divers | Angelfish, Stingrays, Trevally, batfish and scorpionfish along with corals |
| Bus Stop | 14 – 20 m | Intermediate | Expect a gentle slope which is between 14 to 20 metres. | Groupers, corals, angelfish, garden eels, stingrays, lionfish, sea turtles |
| Margherita’s Mischief | 7-16m | Beginner-Intermediate | A beautiful dive site in Neil Ideal for open water divers | Pufferfish , angelfish, batfish, snappers, blue spotted stingrays |
| K – Rock | 12-19m | Beginner-Intermediate | A volcanic rock site with with a mix of varying depths | Snappers, sweetlips, soldierfish and butterfly fish,tutrtle |
| Junction | 22 m – 30 m | Intermediate – Advanced | Ideal for experienced divers, shaped like a finger | Blue-spotted stingrays, humphead wrasse, Dogtooth Tuna, Trevally and barracudas |
Things to know Before Scuba Dive in Neil Island
- Select a trustworthy dive school/shop with a PADI certified instructor.
- Choose a dive spot as per your dive experience and follow the instruction of the dive instructor carefully.
- Avoid scuba diving if you are asthmatic or injured.
- Wear all the necessary equipment required for scuba diving in Neil Island.
- Do not eat a heavy meal or consume alcohol before going for a dive session.
- Do not step on or touch corals or marine life.
Cost of Scuba Diving in Neil Islands
- Dive Type: Boat Dive
- Approximate Cost: INR 4500 – INR 6000 per person
- Duration: 20 to 30 minutes underwater.
- Dive Type: Fun Dives
- Approximate Cost: INR 4500 per person
- Duration: 2 -3 hours
- Dive Type: Open water PADI course
- Approximate Cost: INR 28000 per person
- Duration: 3 – 4 Days
Now that you are aware of the best dive spots in Neil Island and what to expect from them, have an incredibly joyful and safe dive experience while exploring Andaman. And if you ever want to learn more about Andaman islands or wish to have a thorough planned travel experience, click here: https://www.andamantourism.org/.