ANDAMANS (iNCL. BARREN ISLAND), INDIA

Camp 1: March 21 - 28, 2027

Camp 2: April 11 - 18, 2027

Two decades and counting: We’ve seen the Andamans through a Tsunami, multiple administrations, diving off dunghis, thatched huts, large scale development, the advent of 4G in 2021 and one consistent fact – the fish are always home in large numbers, and this is some of the best diving in Asia! 

Andamans is home to the most established diving in India, and world-class sites such as Dixon’s Pinnacle, Johnny’s Gorge, Jackson’s Bar, SS Inchkett Wreck and more. We have chosen to be based out of Neil for the camp – a region that offers the quiet stuff: large swathes of boulder corals, less humans and more fishies, a resident family of dugongs, and a slower island life, so to speak. 

 

Each camp includes a day trip to dive off Barren Island, which is India’s only active volcano, quietly fuming on top. Underwater, the volcano’s flanks make for some of the most interesting diving in Asia – black/ volcanic ash and lava sand, with rocks draped in soft corals, patrolled by schools of fusiliers, snappers, and the occasional manta gliding through the blue. It’s the kind of dive that makes you feel like an explorer, not a tourist!

 

 

As always, to ensure that you get the most out of your diving experience, and to help keep an eye on things logistically, a dive professional from Bangalore Scuba will be present throughout your trip(s).

Overview

The water is warm enough to remind you you’re alive, usually 27–29°C, with visibility quite good on some days you think you’ve grown new eyes, and on others a little murky, but that’s what brings both the predator and benefactor fish together, on the same reef!


The region is home to over 1,200 species of fish, ranging from colorful reef fish like angelfish, butterflyfish, and parrotfish, to larger pelagic visitors such as barracuda, tuna, and trevallies. Hawksbill and green turtles are frequent companions, while schools of fusiliers and snapper sweep across the reefs in dazzling numbers. Moray eels, stingrays, and octopuses are common sightings.

Day 1: Arrival at Veer Savarkar Int’l Airport, Port Blair no later than 1 PM, and transfer to Neil via the 2:30 PM ferry.
Day 2: 2 dives 
Day 3: 3 dives 
Day 4: 2 dives + excursion to Havelock island
Day 5: 3 dives (including a night dive)
Day 6: 2 dives 
Day 7: 3 dives (Barren island)

Day 8: Transfer from Havelock to Port Blair via morning ferry, and departure from Veer Savarkar Int’l Airport.

 

 

Please ensure that you book your returning tickets on a flight that departs post 12 pm on or after Day 9 to not violate the no-fly time after diving.

 

This trip is suitable for certified divers of all levels, however, for the day trip to dive around Barren island, divers need to have a minimum of 30 logged dives. 

 

Our diving plan will cover some of the Andaman’s most celebrated sites, such as Dixon’s Pinnacle, Johnny’s Gorge, Junction, K-Rock, Busy B, The Wall, Margarita’s mischief, and more. We will be based out of Neil, but will have access to dive sites off Havelock as well for our camps!

 

 

 

Barren, specifically, has a reputation for strong currents and challenging conditions. In our experience, this reputation is somewhat overstated: currents can certainly pick up, but we plan our diving to work with the conditions rather than against them. That said, certified divers signing up to dive at Barren should be comfortable in moderate currents, able to descend and ascend independently, and have good buoyancy control and spatial awareness.

 

 

Please discuss your certification level, and/or any special courses that you would like to pursue on this trip before booking, so our instructors can guide you better.

 

 

You can log up to 17 dives over the course of this trip. Group sizes will be adjusted for diver comfort and experience levels, but the typical dive guide to divers ratio is 4:1.

 

We have picked Neil island as our base for the week of diving. The rooms a the resort are in the same premises as the dive centre, with wild grass and ample trees housing some endemic species, and birds, whose song you will wake up to each morning.

 

 

 

 

 

The resort also has an in-house cafe.

 

We request that you arrive at Port Blair (airport code: IXZ) on or before March 21st/ April 11th, 2026 (before 1 PM), and select flights that depart from Port Blair on or after March 28th/ April 18th, 2026 (after 12 PM).

 

The plan is for the group to take the 2:30 pm ferry from Port Blair to Neil on the day of arrival. If you are landing before 9:30 am, we can also arrange for you to be transferred earlier via the 11 am ferry (subject to availability). 

 

On the day of departure, we can all get back to Port Blair in the afternoon by taking one of the morning ferries (~ 10 am).

Twin/ Double Occupancy: INR 1,29,500 per person

 

Single Occupancy: INR 1,57,500 per person

 

Your spot will be confirmed on payment of an INR 40,000 deposit (non refundable)*. The remaining amount is due 15 days prior to the date of trip commencement.

 

 

*The deposits are non-refundable when made, but if we get someone else to take over your spot, we will transfer your deposit to them and get them to reimburse you.

 

 

INCLUSIONS:

  • 7 nights/ 8 days accommodation with breakfast at Neil
  • All internal transfers between Port Blair and Neil (ferry + car)
  • Up to 15 dives (including 3 dives at Barren)
  • Gear rental (excluding dive computer and torch)
  • Bangalore Scuba dive pro and support

EXCLUSIONS:

  • International/ domestic flight tickets
  • Local tours within Port Blair, Neil, and Havelock
  • Stay at Port Blair (if any)
  • Lunch/dinner and drinks and any meals not listed in the inclusions
  • Nitrox (INR 350 per tank)
  • Dive computer rental (INR 500 per day; to be prepaid)
  • Surcharges for courses/ training
  • Tips and personal expenses

The Andamans operates on the Indian Rupee (INR). Cards are accepted at most cafes and larger establishments, but cash/ UPI payments are preferred at local markets, smaller eateries, and for tips. ATMs are available on all the islands we plan to visit, and we don’t foresee any issues with small withdrawals, should you need to make any.

 

Diving skills & experience

 

  • Divers of all certification levels (including beginners) are welcome on this trip. Some sites are better suited to Advanced Open Water/ deep certified divers. Please discuss your experience honestly before booking so we can plan diving groups accordingly.
  • We reserve the right to ask divers who are not comfortable in specific conditions to sit out certain dives and join an alternative, shallower site instead. This decision is always made in the interest of your safety and the safety of the group, and is never a reflection on you as a diver.
  • Buddy pairings will be arranged by your group leader/ dive guide based on experience, comfort levels, air consumption and the conditions on the day. If you have any preferences or concerns, please raise them with the Bangalore Scuba dive pro on site, ideally the evening before.
  • Dive groups are intentionally kept small for everyone’s safety, and to maximize fun. Typical dive guide-to-diver ratio is 1:4  
  • 2–3 dives per day are scheduled, subject to weather, sea state, and group readiness. Dive schedules are indicative and may be adjusted on the day at the discretion of the dive professional.
  • Nitrox will be available at an additional cost, but please confirm with us in advance if this is a requirement. Standard air will always be available.

Health, Fitness & Medical

 

  • All divers must be in good general health and free from any condition that is contraindicated for diving. A standard medical declaration will be required before the first dive of the trip.
  • If you have a pre-existing medical condition, including but not limited to heart conditions, asthma, epilepsy, diabetes, or recent surgery – please consult a dive physician and share documentation with us before booking. You may want to go through a general diving medicine guide for physicians.
  • The nearest recompression chamber is located in Port Blair. In the event of a diving emergency, evacuation from Neil/ Havelock will be coordinated by the partner diver center and the Bangalore Scuba Dive pro on site. 
  • Flying after diving: please ensure you observe standard no-fly time of 18-24 hours after your last dive before your return flight. We have built this into the trip schedule, already.

The Andamans – What to Expect

 

  • The Andaman Islands are relatively remote, protected archipelago. Infrastructure, connectivity, and facilities on most islands are limited by design – mobile coverage can be patchy at Neil, power cuts are not unusual, and the pace of life is unhurried. This is precisely what makes it a nice destination for a diving holiday. Please come with flexibility and an open mind.
  • Accommodation on this trip is comfortable and well-located, and has been personally vetted by us. That said, it reflects the island setting – expect clean, characterful rooms rather than five-star urban amenities. Air conditioning, hot water, and Wi-Fi are available.
  • Certain islands, tribal reserve zones, and waters, including areas around the Andaman Trunk Road and the North Sentinel Island exclusion zone are strictly off-limits under Indian government regulation. These restrictions apply to all visitors without exception.

Weather & Conditions

 

  • This trip operates in March–April, the peak of the dry season and the best time of year to dive. Expect long, sunny days, calm seas and water temperatures of around 28–30°C. Visibility is at its best, often 20m and beyond, and marine life is out in full.
  • It gets hot and the sun is strong, both on the boat and during surface intervals. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and a light long-sleeve layer, and keep drinking water through the day. Seas are usually calm, but if you’re prone to seasickness, it’s still worth packing medication. We’ll always advise on the day if needed.
  • This is also the busiest time of year, so popular sites can see more boats. We plan our timings to get you in the water when it’s quieter wherever we can.
  • In the rare event of weather that makes diving unsafe, we will reschedule dives where possible or offer alternative sites. Your safety, comfort and fun is always the deciding factor (in the order specified).

Marine Environment & Conservation

 

  • The Andaman Islands are home to some of the healthiest and most biodiverse reefs in South Asia. Please follow all underwater guidelines without exception: no touching coral or marine life, no chasing animals, no collecting anything from the water, and no feeding fish.
  • Any underwater photography or videography is welcome, but must never come at the cost of the marine environment. Buoyancy control is your most important skill underwater, and your greatest act of conservation.

Payments, Cancellations & Transfers

 

  • A deposit is required to secure your place on the trip. Full payment is due 15 days before departure. 
  • All payments are non-refundable once made. If you need to withdraw from the trip, please notify us as early as possible. If we are able to find a confirmed replacement for your spot, we will carry your deposit forward for the replacement to reimburse you directly. You are always welcome to nominate a replacement diver yourself.
  • We have operated a large dive center and have run regular dive trips to the Andamans for over 20 years and cancellations on our end are exceptionally rare. In the event we do have to cancel due to force majeure or circumstances beyond our control, you will receive a full refund of all payments made to us. Please note that we cannot be held responsible for independently booked travel or accommodation.
  • Trip itinerary are indicative. Dive sites, and schedules may be adjusted based on the prevailing conditions and comfort level oof the divers. We will always communicate changes promptly and transparently.

Staying Connected

 

  • A dedicated WhatsApp group will be created for all participants before departure. This will be used for pre-trip planning, logistics coordination, and real-time updates during the trip.
  • A Bangalore Scuba dive pro will be available every evening for individual check-ins. We encourage every diver to use this time: share how your dives went, flag anything that isn’t working, and let them know if you’d like adjustments to the next day’s plan. Early feedback helps us act quickly and ensures the trip works brilliantly for everyone.
  • For any questions before booking or before departure, please reach out to us directly: +91 98803 34003 | +91 70440 72204 | info@bangalorescuba.com
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