Nemo Reef — Beginner Shore Diving at Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)
Nemo Reef is Havelock's one-and-only true shore dive site, lying just 50 metres off the coastline of Nemo Beach (Beach-02, Govind Nagar). It's the closest dive site to the main ferry station on the island — a 5-10 minute scooter ride away — which makes it one of the most convenient reefs on Havelock to reach and dive.
The reef splits into two very different halves within a short swim of each other: a natural coral garden on one side, home to the clownfish the site is named after, and a deliberately sunk jeep and scooter forming an artificial reef on the other. That contrast, combined with shallow, sheltered conditions, is what makes Nemo Reef one of Seahawks' most-used sites for first dives and Open Water training.
Overview of Nemo Reef (Quick Facts)
About Nemo Reef Dive Site
Nemo Reef grew gradually into Havelock's most popular beginner site through the early 2000s, as local dive operators and the tourism department developed it alongside the rise of tourism on the islands. Its smooth beach entry and exit, shallow depth, and dense, diverse marine population have made it a dependable first-dive location ever since.
The site is genuinely split into two halves. On the left-hand side of Nemo Beach lies a vibrant natural coral reef, home to the clownfish (the "Nemo fish") the site takes its name from, along with brain corals, staghorn corals, and sea anemones. On the right-hand side, a Mahindra Commander Jeep and a scooter were deliberately sunk some years ago to create an artificial reef — over time, the wrecks have been colonised by the marine ecosystem and now shelter a variety of tropical fish species.
Topography
Nemo Reef consists of two separate reef sections with a sandy patch running between them. Both sides start shallow — around 1 metre at the entry point — with the maximum depth varying from 8 to 13 metres depending on exactly where you are on the reef.
Best Time to Dive
Nemo Reef doesn't really have an off-season — its sheltered, close-to-shore position means it can be dived all day, every day, all year round. That said, visibility and overall conditions are typically at their clearest from October to May, in line with the rest of Havelock's dive sites. Water temperature stays a comfortable 26–29°C throughout the year.
Marine Life at Nemo Reef
Regularly spotted species at Nemo Reef include the site's namesake clownfish, butterflyfish, sea anemones, bannerfish, trevally, giant groupers, sweetlips, rabbitfish, schools of snapper, parrotfish, triggerfish, pufferfish, and sea cucumbers.
Divers occasionally get lucky with rarer sightings too — humphead parrotfish, lionfish, octopus, squid, barracuda, crocodilefish, and hermit crabs have all been spotted here. The reef itself supports staghorn coral, cauliflower coral, open brain coral, table coral, valley coral, mushroom coral, sea anemones, and sea urchins.
Cost & What's Included
Included:
- Full scuba equipment (tank, regulator, BCD, wetsuit, fins, mask, booties, weight belt, SPG)
- Power masks available (-2 to -8) on request
- 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
- Optional extras: underwater camera, surface marker buoy, rash guard, dive computer, dive knife
Getting There
Nemo Reef is just 1-2 kilometres from Havelock's main ferry station, an easy 5-10 minute scooter or car ride to Nemo Beach (Beach-02, Govind Nagar). As a shore dive, there's no boat ride involved — you gear up right on the beach and swim out roughly 50 metres to the reef. We offer complimentary pickup and drop-off within a 5km radius of our dive shop.
Emergency & Safety Information
DAN Global Emergency: +1-919-684-9111
FAQs
Nemo Reef is a shallow shore dive suitable for beginners, non-swimmers, night divers, and Open Water students. The gentle currents, shallow depth range, and calm sea surface make it one of the most accessible dive sites on Havelock Island for a first-time diver.
Nemo Reef is split into two distinct halves. On one side lies a natural coral reef, home to the clownfish the site is named after, along with brain corals, staghorn corals, and sea anemones. On the other side, a Mahindra Commander Jeep and a scooter were deliberately sunk to create an artificial reef, now colonised by marine life and offering a very different underwater landscape within the same short swim.
Nemo Reef is priced under Seahawks SCUBA's Standard fun-diving tier: INR 2,500 + 18% GST per person, whether you're a certified diver or a non-swimmer, inclusive of full scuba equipment and a certified SSI dive guide.
Yes. Nemo Reef sits close to shore with calm and clear underwater conditions for most of the year, and every dive runs with full safety gear under a professional SSI dive guide. Its shallow depth range and gentle currents make it one of the more forgiving sites on Havelock Island, which is why it's regularly used for a diver's very first dive.
Nemo Reef can be dived all day, every day, all year round. Its sheltered, close-to-shore position means it doesn't depend on a specific season the way more exposed sites do, though visibility and conditions are typically at their best from October to May.
Your dive includes a scuba tank, weight belt, regulator, submersible pressure gauge, buoyancy compensator, wetsuit, mask (power masks -2 to -8 available on request), fins, and booties. Bring your own swimwear to wear under the wetsuit, a small towel, and reef-safe sunscreen. An underwater camera, rash guard, and dive computer are optional extras worth carrying if you have them.
Ready to Dive Nemo Reef?
Havelock's only true shore dive — a natural coral reef on one side, a sunken jeep on the other, and calm, shallow conditions built for a first dive.