Scuba Diving at Light House, Chidiyatapu
A short, ten-minute boat ride from our Chidiyatapu base, past the lighthouse that gives this dive site its name, the water turns calm, and the reef begins almost as soon as you descend. Light House sits beside our other beginner site, Fish Point, but has its own gentler personality — a wide, gradually sloping reef that drops from just 2 metres at its shallowest to a sandy bottom at 13 metres.
For a first-time diver, or for anyone working through certification skills, this combination of shallow entry, minimal current, and consistently clear water makes it one of the most relaxed and confidence-building dives in the Chidiyatapu area.
Light House at a Glance
About Light House
Light House rewards divers who take their time. Scattered across the coral surface are Christmas tree worms — tiny spiral creatures, no bigger than a thumbnail, in shades of orange, blue, and yellow, each one shaped like a miniature pine tree growing straight out of the reef.
Approach slowly and they stay open, swaying gently; move too fast or cast a sudden shadow and they vanish into the coral in an instant, only to reappear moments later if you wait patiently nearby. It's a small interaction, but it delights almost every diver who experiences it for the first time.
Topography
A shallow reef starting from 2 metres, sloping down to a sandy bottom at 13 metres — suitable for beginner divers and certification courses.
Best Time to Dive
Light House is diveable from October to mid-May. Conditions here stay calm and current-free throughout this window, unlike more current-driven sites such as Parrot's Rock. Visibility typically ranges from 15 to 25 metres — among the best of any Chidiyatapu site — and water temperature stays a comfortable 27–29°C throughout the season.
Marine Life at Light House
In the shallower sections of the reef, schools of snappers move together over the coral, while butterflyfish dart in their familiar pairs. Parrotfish graze openly on the reef surface, and groupers hold position near rocky outcrops where the current breaks gently. Little yellow boxfish — small, and square in shape — are a particular favourite among first-time divers for how unusual they look compared to typical reef fish.
Deeper toward the sandy bottom, scorpionfish rest in near-perfect camouflage against the rock, and sea cucumbers lie scattered across the open sand. Your guide will help you spot both, as they're easy to miss without an experienced eye.
Cost & What's Included
Included:
- Full scuba equipment (tank, regulator, BCD, wetsuit, fins, mask, booties, weight belt, SPG)
- Power masks available on request (-2 to -8)
- Boat transfer to and from Light House
- Certified SSI dive guide throughout
Bring yourself:
- Certification card if certified (digital is fine)
- Swimsuit to wear under the wetsuit
- Small towel
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Light snacks
Getting There
Light House is accessible via a 10-minute boat ride from Mundapahar Beach in Chidiyatapu, itself approximately 40 minutes by road from Port Blair. This is a boat-access-only dive.
Emergency & Safety Information
DAN Global Emergency: +1-919-684-9111
FAQs
Yes — Light House is one of our most beginner-friendly dive sites at Chidiyatapu. The reef starts in just 2 metres of water, which is shallow enough to feel reassuring for a first-timer, and conditions here stay calm with minimal current throughout the year. Non-certified divers and non-swimmers are paired with a personal instructor at a strict 1:1 ratio for the entire dive — your instructor handles buoyancy, navigation, and pacing, leaving you free to focus on enjoying the reef.
Yes — the gradual depth progression from 2 to 13 metres, combined with minimal current and good visibility, makes Light House one of our preferred sites for certification training. Students can build confidence and practise core skills like buoyancy control and navigation at a manageable depth before progressing further.
Christmas tree worms are tiny, brightly coloured spiral creatures, no bigger than a thumbnail, that grow embedded in coral and look exactly like miniature pine trees in shades of orange, blue, and yellow. They're scattered across the coral surface at Light House, and you'll very likely spot several during a single dive.
Napoleon wrasse sightings at Light House are occasional rather than guaranteed, which is part of what makes them special. These are large, slow-moving fish with a distinctive bulging forehead. They're increasingly uncommon at heavily dived reefs worldwide, so any sighting here, particularly at a shallow site this accessible to beginners, is a genuine highlight.
Light House is located at Chidiyatapu, at the southern tip of South Andaman, roughly 40 minutes by road from Port Blair, followed by a short 10-minute boat ride from our dive base to the site itself. This is a boat-access-only dive.
Ready for a Relaxed Dive?
Christmas tree worms, a gentle sloping reef, and the occasional Napoleon wrasse — Light House is one of the calmest, most confidence-building dives in Chidiyatapu.