Home >>Leisure In India >>Diving >> Andaman & Nicobar

This is closest you get to feeling like Robinson Crusoe. 362 volcanic islands scattered in the Bay of Bengal, only 37 of these are inhabited. These lush green islands have a colourful historical past. With strings of invasions by the French, Dutch, Japanese and British, raging wars between settlers and the native tribes. The Cellular Jail, where hundreds of Indian revolutionaries were imprisoned during the Indian freedom struggle, still stands tall. Descendents of these political prisoners and the local tribes of the area are the inhabitants of modern day Andaman and Nicobar.

The tropical rain forests that loom close to the seashore are home to unique species of birds, and to tribes that still haven't learned to use fire. Andaman is an experience quite unlike another. And if you find yourself using more mosquito repellent here than ever before, you'll be using a lot more camera roll too.

Dive Sites:

1) Around Port Blair:
The waters around Andaman have spectacular bio-diversity, and dive conditions that are ideal for an experienced diver. Chinque Island: One of the best dive destinations in the island, it has clear emerald water with a visibility of up to 80 feet. The deep dive offers a terrific variety of marine life, including black coral, sightings of sharks and is ideal for the experienced diver. Rutland Island: The shallow waters here have a good representation of most smaller fish and coral, and a good place for training open water divers. Snake Island: Awesome rock faces and a spectacular dive landscape. Marine life includes Trigger fish, Grunts, Goatfish and Rays.

2) Havelock Island:
This island is located approximately 4 hours from the Port Blair airport by inter - island ferry. The dive center located on the island offers a wide range of largely unexplored dive sites rich in underwater marine life. Miscellaneous Information The nearest decompression chamber is at the Naval Base in Port Blair. Foregners are only allowed to visit certain islands in Middle, Little and south Andamans.

Best time of the year:
Between November and May.

Climate:
Tropical- between 23-28 Degree Celsius.

Languages Spoken:
English, Hindi, Bengali, Tamil.