Scuba Diving Courses in Andaman — Which SSI Certification Is Right for You?
Hi folks, it's Debal from Havelock Island. I've been teaching scuba diving courses since 2013, and I've personally certified over 600 divers. Most started as complete beginners, and I've watched them going through the training to achieve open water diver certification and beyond. From the very first day people start looking for information, one question comes up more than any other: which course should I actually take? This page breaks down every SSI certification level we offer, so you can find your fit in under a minute — then dive into the full details on whichever course matches.
The SSI Course Ladder
The four SSI certification courses build on each other, letting you experience the magic of the underwater world even if you don't know how to swim, and eventually giving you the bigger adventure of diving on your own, independently, anywhere in the world. Here's how they compare:
| Course | Certification Depth | Typical Duration | Prerequisite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Diver | 12m | Half-day | None (age 10+, for non-swimmers) |
| Scuba Diver | 12m | 2 days | Age 10+, 200m swim & 400m snorkel test |
| Open Water Diver | 18m | 4 days | Age 10+, 200m swim & 400m snorkel test |
| Advanced Open Water Diver | 30m | 3 days | Open Water certification |
Learn the Theory Before You Arrive
Which Course Should You Choose?
Not sure where to start? Here's a quick way to figure out your fit:
In my experience, most people end up choosing the Open Water Diver course — but it's rarely decided on the spot. Most students reach out to us first, and we talk it through over a call or WhatsApp before they commit. I also recommend starting with the Scuba Diver course if you're not confident about your swimming skills — if you feel comfortable during the course, you can always upgrade to Open Water Diver.
SSI Scuba Diving Courses in Andaman
Eligibility, Swimming & Medical
Most of our courses are open to anyone aged 10 and above, as long as you're medically fit for scuba diving. The Basic Diver course requires no swimming skill, but the other courses require a 200m swim test and a 400m snorkel test as a prerequisite. Before your course starts, you'll also need to fill out a detailed medical questionnaire form. We also recommend getting checked by a doctor if you're above 50 years old, before committing to a course. For the full eligibility breakdown, including medical categories and age exceptions, see our complete diving eligibility guide.
Scuba Diving Course Cost in Andaman
Here's a quick look at course pricing — for full details and booking, visit our Scuba Diving Packages page.
| Course | Price |
|---|---|
| Basic Diver Course | Rs. 6,500 |
| Scuba Diver Course | Rs. 16,000 |
| Open Water Diver Course | Rs. 25,000 |
| Advanced Open Water Diver | Rs. 24,000 |
Ready to Extend Your Skills?
Already certified an Open Water Diver and thinking of polishing your diving skills? Explore our SSI Specialty Courses — Deep Diving, Wreck Diving, Night Diving, and more — to build new skills and enhance your diving ability while exploring Havelock's reefs in a whole new way. Prefer to just dive without a course? Head over to Fun Diving and explore the coral reefs around Havelock with us.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Scuba Diver course certifies you to dive to 12m and takes 2 days, while the Open Water Diver course certifies you to dive to 18m independently, anywhere in the world, over 4 days. Scuba Diver is also the first half of the Open Water certification, so you can upgrade later.
The Basic Diver course requires no swimming ability at all. The Scuba Diver, Open Water, and Advanced Open Water courses require a 200m swim test and a 400m snorkel test as a prerequisite.
Certification time depends on the course: Basic Diver takes half a day, Scuba Diver takes 2 days, Open Water Diver takes 4 days, and Advanced Open Water takes 3 days.
Both the Scuba Diver, Open Water Diver, and Advanced Open Water Diver certifications let you dive anywhere in the world — the difference is independence. Scuba Diver requires you to always dive with an instructor, while Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver certify you to dive independently, with your buddy, up to 18m.
Yes, every course's theory portion can be completed in advance through SSI's free DIVESSI platform, saving you time on the island for in-water skills and dives.
Course pricing ranges from Rs. 6,500 for the Basic Diver course up to Rs. 25,000 for the full Open Water Diver certification, depending on which level you choose. The Scuba Diver course costs Rs. 16,000, and Advanced Open Water costs Rs. 24,000.
Ready to Start Your Diving Journey?
Whether you're a complete beginner or ready to go deeper, we're here to guide you every step of the way. Book your course today, or reach out on WhatsApp if you have any questions before you commit.