SSI Scuba Diver Course in Andaman — Certified to 12m in Just 2 Days
If you're visiting the Andaman Islands on a short trip and can only spend 2 days learning to scuba dive, the SSI Scuba Diver Course fits you best. It takes you to 12 metres and hands you an internationally valid SSI certification. This isn't just a one-time experience — it's the genuine first half of the full Open Water Diver course. By the time you finish, you'll know exactly how to scuba dive on your own. Read on to find out how useful this course is, and how to upgrade to Open Water Diver.
What Is the SSI Scuba Diver Course?
The SSI Scuba Diver Course is a combination of knowledge building (an academic session covering 3 chapters plus equipment handling), repetitive skills practice (10 underwater skills to master), and 2 open water dives across different coral reefs of Havelock Island. It takes 2 full days to prepare you to dive on your own under the direct supervision of an SSI instructor.
Scuba Diver vs. Open Water Diver: What's the Difference?
Here's the honest answer: the SSI Scuba Diver Course is literally the first half of the SSI Open Water Diver course. Scuba Diver covers a 3-chapter academic session, 10 underwater skills, and 2 open water dives — Open Water Diver doubles all of it, with 6 chapters, 20 skills, and 4 open water dives. The depth ceiling also grows, from 12m to 18m.
There's one more key difference: after completing Scuba Diver, you'll always need to dive with an SSI instructor. Once you upgrade to Open Water Diver, you no longer need an instructor at all — you can dive with just a buddy, as long as that buddy is an Open Water Diver or above.
Choosing Scuba Diver isn't a dead end — everything you learn counts toward completing your full Open Water certification later. If you decide during (or after) your trip that you want to go further, you pick up exactly where you left off.
| Scuba Diver | Open Water Diver | |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 2 days | 4 days |
| Academic chapters | 3 | 6 |
| Underwater skills | 10 | 20 |
| Open water dives | 2 | 4 |
| Max depth | 12m | 18m |
| Buddy system | Independent — always with an SSI instructor | Independent — with a buddy (must be Open Water Diver or above) |
| Counts toward full certification? | Yes — this is its first half | Yes — complete |
How the Two Days Run
Day One
Meet & Greet
- Pick up from your hotel at 8:30 AM
- Complete paperwork at our office
- Academic and theory discussion
- Sort out your equipment
- Short briefing on the swim, snorkel, and float test
- Head to the beach at 10 AM
On the Beach & In-Water
- 200m swim, 400m snorkel, and 3-minute float test at 10:10 AM
- Equipment briefing on the beach — use, assembly/disassembly, and efficiency tips
- Skills briefing — why each skill matters, how we demonstrate all 10, and how we expect you to perform them
- Snacks break at 11 AM
- Debrief on the day's skills, back to the hotel at 3 PM
In-water skills practice begins at 11:30 AM:
Day Two
Dive Planning
- Pick up from your hotel at 8:30 AM
- Sort out equipment
- Morning briefing — dive planning, buddy system, entries and exits, and a recap of Day One's skills
- Head to the beach at 9:30 AM
Dives & Fun
- Board the boat and go through onboard safety equipment at 10 AM
- Meet the boat crew, who'll help you in and out of the boat
- On the way to the dive site, discuss the topography and marine life you might spot
- First dive at a chosen dive site, around 10:30–11:20 AM
- Surface interval and debrief — what you did best, and what to polish
- Second dive at another coral reef at 12:20 PM, with more fun and memories captured on GoPro 12
- Debrief, then back to the hotel by 2 PM
- Final exam, dive logging, and certification issued at our office at 6 PM
Congratulations — you're now an SSI Scuba Diver.
Eligibility & Prerequisites
To join the SSI Scuba Diver Course, you'll need to be at least 10 years old and in reasonable physical and mental fitness to dive. Since Scuba Diver requires basic swimming ability, you'll also need to complete the 200m swim, 400m snorkel, and float test (already covered above). Before you commit for the course, please read carefully the medical questionnaire form — for the full eligibility breakdown, you can also see our complete diving eligibility guide for more in-depth information.
Price, Inclusions, Exclusions, & Dive Sites
This includes:
- Pick-up and drop from your hotel (between Govind Nagar and Vijay Nagar Beach)
- SSI digital certification
- Diving accident insurance
- Drinks & snacks
- Fresh towel
- All equipment rental
- Complimentary photos and videos (shot on a GoPro 12)
Exclusions:
- Accommodation
- Ferry transfer & meals
For full pricing details and to book, visit our Scuba Diving Packages page.
Ready to Go Further?
This certification isn't the end of the road — it's already halfway to the SSI Open Water Diver course. If you decide to build up more knowledge and dive deeper, you can complete your Open Water certification anytime. Check out our Open Water Diver Course to see what's next, or just come back for some fun dives — check out all the dive sites around Havelock here.
What Our Divers Say
Frequently Asked Questions
Scuba Diver is a 2-day certification to 12m covering 10 skills and 2 dives — literally the first half of the 4-day Open Water Diver course, which covers 20 skills, 4 dives, and takes you to 18m.
Yes. Everything you learn in Scuba Diver counts toward Open Water — you don't repeat anything, you simply pick up the second half whenever you're ready.
Yes. Scuba Diver requires basic swimming ability — a 200m swim, a 400m snorkel, and a float test before the course begins.
Yes, it's a genuine SSI certification, not a participation certificate. You'll always need to dive with an SSI instructor afterward, until you upgrade to Open Water Diver.
We mostly reschedule your dive for the next available day. If you're limited on time and can't reschedule, we'll give you a referral document detailing exactly what's been completed and what's still remaining. Our cancellation policy: withdrawing on Day 1 gets a 50% refund, and Day 2 has no refund. The Rs. 3,000 course booking fee covers your SSI study material and is strictly non-refundable.
Basic Diver is an assisted dive — your SSI instructor swims for you — down to a depth of 12 metres. Scuba Diver is an independent dive, where you use your own fins and swim for yourself, also down to 12 metres, with an SSI instructor alongside you.
Ready to Get Certified in Just 2 Days?
Whether you're short on time or just want a taste of real certification before committing to the full course, the SSI Scuba Diver Course gets you there in 2 days. Book your course today, or reach out on WhatsApp if you have any questions before you commit.