Scuba Diving in Havelock Island — Everything You Need to Know
Living on Havelock Island was my dream. Now I live a few minutes from Govind Nagar Beach, and I'm not a visitor anymore. I founded Seahawks SCUBA here in 2015, and most mornings I'm in the water with new people trying scuba for the first time, learning new diving skills, or sharpening skills they already have.
Havelock isn't a quick stop on someone else's island-hopping itinerary to me — it's the water I know better than anywhere else. The island backs that up with real infrastructure too: modern speedboats, safe training conditions, convenient logistics, and dive professionals trained to international standards.
We currently dive 18 sites around Havelock, with more in the pipeline as we expand toward 20. If you've already decided Havelock is where you want to dive, here's exactly what to expect.
During scuba diving in Havelock, you can see for sure:
- A few anemones with some dancing clownfish inside.
- Moorish idols fulfilling couple goals.
- Four to ten humphead parrotfish eating on the dead coral patches at Purple Haze.
- Schools of yellow snappers getting together with the fusiliers for no reason.
- A moderate school of Sergeant Major fish unnecessarily shooting to the surface.
- A few lionfish hover over the sea fan corals to scare you.
What if you are one of those lucky beginners!
- Play a short hide-and-seek session with one of the two octopuses that live at Tribe Gate.
- Witness a dramatic colour-changing moment of a cuttlefish.
- A friendly leopard shark gives a look and vanishes into the blue.
- A shy blue-spotted stingray swims away fast.
- Spot a hawksbill turtle resting on potato coral.
What if you have seen them before! Learn — Upskill — Dive Deeper.
- Count whitetip and blacktip reef sharks at Johnny's Gorge.
- Control your adrenalin when a great barracuda keeps staring at you.
- Feel numb after watching the open mouth of a giant grouper at Dickson's Pinnacles.
I've lived every one of these moments underwater, and am still enjoying it. They could be your stories too!
Why Havelock Over Other Islands?
I've personally noticed that nowadays people have less time — most visitors come to the Andaman Islands for just 4 to 6 days. If you've only got a few days and are looking for a comfortable place to stay and dive schools with great options, Havelock is built for exactly that — and here's why.
Havelock has world-class resort options, with ferries from Port Blair arriving twelve times a day and infrastructure built for a smooth holiday experience. More than twenty dive sites are reachable by boat — as close as ten minutes away, as far as forty — with twelve to twenty-five metres of visibility on a good day. More than forty dive centres operate here, giving you real choice on price and experience.
It's also the busiest dive island in the territory by a wide margin. From watching it every day for nineteen years, my own estimate is close to 1,000 divers a day here in peak season — against roughly 120 to 150 on Neil Island and 60 to 100 at North Bay near Port Blair. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced diver, there are plenty of options that you can choose right after you wake up here.
I've dived other parts of this region too — three months as a dive master at North Bay in 2010, regular fun dives at Chidiya Tapu, where I saw my first eagle ray back in 2009, and Neil Island, where I saw my first dugong. Havelock has both too — it's not really about the island, it's the feeling of seeing something for the first time that stays with you. None of those other islands pulled me back the way Havelock still does, every single day.
Scuba Options & Havelock-Wide Price Range
For a deep understanding about how the pricing works here, you should know this first.
The dive centres registered and renewed by the Tourism Department of the Andaman island have been classified as A category and B category. Dive centres complying with the international standard (WRSTC-aligned agencies like PADI, SSI, NAUI) are category A. They maintain the highest safety and quality of the dive service. Others complying with NIWS standard (National Institute of Water Sports) are category B.
Does this affect your experience?
One time scuba diving experience is what suits the beginners and non-swimmers. This option has different names here. PADI dive centres call it DSD (discover scuba diving), SSI dive centres call this BDC (basic diver course), and others call it try dives. Seahawks SCUBA is a category A dive centre, certified by SSI, so our own pricing sits within the SSI range below, not the category B range.
Typically PADI's DSD costs INR 4,000 for a shore dive, and INR 7,000 for a boat dive (30 to 50 minutes), with a certification charge to PADI and GST included in that price. SSI's BDC costs INR 3,500 for a shore dive and INR 6,500 for a boat dive (30 to 50 minutes), with the same kind of charge to SSI. Category B dive centres pay no such fees, so a shore dive costs up to INR 2,500, and a boat dive costs up to INR 4,500 (20 to 30 minutes) including GST. It is completely up to you which one you choose to dive with.
The scuba diving course, open water diver course, and advanced open water diver course are only conducted by the category A dive centres. The price depends on how many dives are included, and which dive sites are covered during the course.
Scuba Diver: 16,000 to 18,000 rupees. Open Water diver: 25,000 to 29,000 rupees. Advanced Open Water: 26,000 to 28,000 rupees. The course fees include GST — the peak season might become a bit expensive.
Fun diving charges purely depend on the distance of the dive sites: 2,500 rupees per dive at sites within 4 km, 3,500 within 10 km, and 4,500 within 20 km.
All prices mentioned above are inclusive of GST.
And the centre matters as much as the activity. In nineteen years here, I've seen what a too-cheap price usually means — skipped maintenance, dive time quietly shortened. You don't see it on a price list, but you'll definitely feel it in the water.
| Category | Service | Price | Dives / Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category A — SSI (Seahawks) | BDC | ₹3,500 shore / ₹6,500 boat | 1 dive, 30–50 min |
| Category A — PADI | DSD | ₹4,000 shore / ₹7,000 boat | 1 dive, 30–50 min |
| Category B — NIWS | Try Dive | up to ₹2,500 shore / up to ₹4,500 boat | 1 dive, 20–30 min |
| Category A only | Scuba Diver Course | ₹16,000–18,000 | 2 dives, 30–45 min each |
| Category A only | Open Water Course | ₹25,000–29,000 | 4–6 dives, 30–45 min each |
| Category A only | Advanced Open Water | ₹26,000–28,000 | 5 dives, 30–45 min each |
| Certified divers | Fun Dive (within 4km) | ₹2,500 | 1 dive, up to 45 min |
| Certified divers | Fun Dive (within 10km) | ₹3,500 | 1 dive, up to 45 min |
| Certified divers | Fun Dive (within 20km) | ₹4,500 | 1 dive, up to 45 min |
All prices above are inclusive of GST.
How Is the Experience Conducted?
Most of the dive centres have their own simplified logistics that can be complimentary or paid depending on where you are staying. Seahawks SCUBA is located at Govind Nagar beach right opposite the HDFC Bank. We provide complimentary pick-up and drop-off service within Govind Nagar Beach, Vijay Nagar Beach, and Krishna Nagar village as they come under 5km. And have paid cabs for guests staying at Radha Nagar Beach (13km away from our office). Other dive centres do the same as per the best of my knowledge.
Slot timings are 5:30am, 6:30am, 7:30am, 9:30am, 10:30am, and 12:30pm for scuba diving experience, certification courses, and fun dives. These can differ by dive centre policy. Once you arrive at the dive centre, the instructors provide a brief, take you through the paperwork, and provide the required equipment (wetsuit, BCD, regulators). The car then drops you at the beach for the in-water practice session.
There are three locations for this confined water practice session: Nemo Reef, Beach Number Two, and Bonga Ghat. We operate from Bonga Ghat, and use the sandy patch there for conducting confined sessions — for first-timers, certification courses, and skills refreshers. All dive centres choose their entry points and training locations as per their own operational convenience. The actual confined-water session for beginners itself is covered in more detail on our Try Scuba Diving page.
After the practice session, our dive boats take you to the dive site you've booked — close by or at the far end, depending on what's been arranged. If you're a first-timer, your instructor stays within arm's reach for the whole dive; if you're already certified, you get more independence underwater, with an instructor still close by.
If you're feeling nervous about your first-time scuba experience, give it a try. I've seen most water-phobic people turn into confident, water-savvy divers.
Best Dive Sites From Havelock
Beginners & Course Students
Open Water Diver
Advanced Open Water
Best for experienced divers: Johnny's Gorge or Dickson's Pinnacles.
SSI Courses at Havelock
Havelock has the clearest waters and sandy patches near Govind Nagar Beach, such as Bonga Ghat and Nemo reef. Beginners can easily adapt to the sea conditions while practising their in-water skills — and that makes the open water dives at Turtle Beach, Light House, Tribe Gate, Purple Haze, and The Wall even more enjoyable. I alone have certified more than 600 students since 2013, and at Seahawks SCUBA, more than 10,000 students have been certified since 2015. For full course details, durations, and pricing, see our SSI courses page. Havelock has plenty of experienced instructors, who like the cosy lifestyle, great food, and better diving conditions. So yes, Havelock is the best place for you to get certified.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can book a scuba dive with Seahawks SCUBA directly through our website's Book Now button, or message us on WhatsApp for a quicker reply. We run six time slots a day, from 5:30am to 12:30pm, so most guests can find a slot that fits their schedule. Once booked, we'll confirm your pickup point based on where you're staying — Govind Nagar, Vijay Nagar, and Krishna Nagar guests get complimentary pickup, while Radha Nagar Beach guests have a paid cab option.
Seahawks SCUBA is based at Govind Nagar Beach, right opposite the HDFC Bank. Our confined-water training for first-timers and course students happens at the sandy patch at Bonga Ghat, and Nemo reef near Govind Nagar Beach. The actual open-water dive site depends on which dive site you've booked, and is usually decided the day before.
For most divers planning a short trip, Havelock is the better choice. It has more than twenty dive sites reachable by boat, against Neil Island's six sites and eight dive shops. Havelock is also the busiest dive island in the territory, which in practice means more boats and more availability, not less. Neil is worth considering if you specifically want a quieter, less-crowded experience instead of variety.
It depends on which certifying agency a dive centre uses. Category B (NIWS-compliant) centres charge as little as ₹2,500 for a shore dive, since they don't pay agency fees. Seahawks SCUBA is SSI-certified (Category A), so our BDC pricing runs ₹3,500 for a shore dive and ₹6,500 for a boat dive, with the SSI fee and GST included. PADI centres typically charge more, around ₹4,000 to ₹7,000, for the same kind of certification-fee reason.
Tribe Gate is my personal favourite for first-timers — calm conditions year-round, and home to two resident octopuses I still point out to nervous divers. Nemo Reef is the only shore-dive site at Havelock, which makes it especially easy for someone unsure about boats or deeper water. Both are part of Seahawks' beginner-friendly site list, alongside six others including Juvis, Red Pillar, and Light House.
No. The one-time scuba experience (our BDC) is made for beginners and non-swimmers. We start in the calm, shallow sandy patch at Bonga Ghat so you can get comfortable first, and your instructor stays within arm's reach for the whole dive. In nineteen years I've watched most nervous, water-phobic first-timers turn into confident divers by the end of the session.
Yes, when you dive with a Category A centre. These are the centres that follow international (WRSTC-aligned) standards through agencies like SSI and PADI, with the highest safety and equipment standards. Seahawks SCUBA is SSI-certified, and on a first dive your instructor stays within arm's reach the entire time. Havelock's calm, protected training conditions make it well-suited to first-time divers too.
The minimum age to try scuba diving with Seahawks is 10 years, in line with SSI standards. There's no fixed upper age limit, though divers over 45 may be asked to fill in a short medical questionnaire.
Not much — we provide all the equipment, including wetsuit, BCD, and regulators. Just bring swimwear, a towel, and a change of clothes.
What Divers Say
"Had an awesome morning dive with Seahawks at Havelock Island today. Instructor Deb was super calm, clear, and encouraging — made everything easy and fun. Great visibility, colorful coral and fish, and the crew kept safety and gear spot-on. Highly recommend for a relaxed, memorable dive!"
"Being a first time diver with no swimming experience having instructors SJ and Navin as guides was very helpful. Visited 2 sites - Turtle beach point and Light House point for 30 mins each. Amazing experience. I would recommend them."
"Took the double dive package. Had a great time with trainers SJ and Navin. Completed two thirty minute dives at Turtle beach and the lighthouse. Both trainers were kind and patient guides. Had an awesome underwater experience viewing the reefs, flora and fauna."
"I had an absolutely incredible experience diving with Seahawks, and I can confidently say it was one of the best experiences of my life. A special thank you to my instructor SJ, who was truly outstanding — calm, patient, and extremely supportive throughout the dive."
"Had an absolutely amazing first-ever scuba diving experience in Havelock, and all the credit goes to Seahawks Scuba. As a first-timer, I was naturally nervous, but the instructors were extremely calm, professional, and supportive."
"The team at Seahawk clearly knows their stuff. The equipment was well-maintained, the boat was comfortable, and the dive sites they selected were teeming with vibrant marine life. If you're nervous about getting in the water, SJ is the person you want by your side."
"Seahawks SCUBA is an absolute gem! Their expertise made our scuba experience truly unforgettable. Special thanks to our guides SJ and Nabin who were incredibly supportive and ensured we felt comfortable."
"I had an absolutely amazing diving experience with SJ from Sea Hawk Diving Centre. He guided me so gracefully through the sea, showing me vibrant, multi-coloured fishes, corals, and incredible marine life around Havelock Island."
"Being a water-phobic, non-swimmer, and a first-timer, I had no much confidence about scuba diving. But my diver, Sarath, gave me extraordinary support and encouragement. Because of him, I even managed to do two dives on the same day."
"Initially, I panicked and almost thought of giving up, but she took great care of me, motivated me, and helped me regain confidence. I was able to enjoy around 30 minutes of scuba diving, which turned out to be one of the best experiences of my trip."
"Best scuba centre at havelock, instructors are polite, open to answering all your questions and waits for you to get comfortable in water before going for the main dive. They take you to probably the best location to view the marine life."
"Had a wonderful time learning with SeaHawks and the entire team during our open water course. Everyone was truly professional especially Joel. Just one recommendation though — a session or two covering the main theory parts would have helped. Wish you the very best👍"
"Had an amazing time with the Seahawks family while doing my open water scuba diving course!!! They were professional, reliant and also very fun! I had Debal as my instructor and he was one of the best!"
4.9 · 1,672 Google Reviews — Read All Reviews
What's keeping you waiting? Dive in & make memories.
4.9★ · 1,672 Google Reviews · 10,000+ Divers Trained Since 2015