Never dived before? Can’t swim? Here’s the simplest version of your first scuba experience.
Hi folks, I am Debal, and I have been into scuba diving since 2007. I founded Seahawks SCUBA in 2015, and have been actively part of this first scuba experience of thousands of beginners like you for a decade now.
Our SSI-certified instructors closely monitor your safety, and stay within an arm’s reach right from the moment you step into the water till you come back with a big smile after the experience. They swim for you, and maintain your depth, direction, and buoyancy for you.
Even though you know swimming, we urge you not to swim underwater, as it tires you out fast and makes you breathe harder, leaving you uncomfortable after a few minutes.
So this is just an experience with unlimited memories. To get that, you do not need to swim nor require any prior experience.
Choose Your Package
Try Scuba here isn’t one fixed package — it’s four.
What separates them is how long you’re in the water and what you walk away with, not how safe or how deep you go. Every single one includes a real open-water dive at an actual reef — not just time in a pool.
Only ₹500 secures your booking. The balance is paid after your dive, not before.
← Swipe to explore all 4 packages →
Value for Money
- 20 mins underwater dive
- 40 mins training session
- 20 photos + 2 min GoPro video
- Shared speed boat
Popular
- 30 mins underwater dive
- 40 mins training session
- 30 photos + 3 min GoPro video
- Shared speed boat
Most Booked ⭐
- 40 mins underwater dive
- 60 mins training session
- 40 photos + 4 min GoPro video
- Private speed boat
Best Experience
- 50 mins underwater dive
- 60 mins training session
- 50 photos + 5 min GoPro video
- Private speed boat
Every Try Scuba booking includes a certificate of experience. Full-price bookings receive SSI’s official digital recognition card.
Choose your dive site
Then there’s the site — a separate choice from your package, with its own per-person boat charge on top.
| Site | Boat charge (per person) |
|---|---|
| Tribe Gate | ₹0 |
| Purple Haze | ₹500 |
| Juvi’s Coral Reef | ₹500 |
| Light House | ₹1,000 |
| Turtle Beach | ₹2,000 |
So a Scuba Light package at Tribe Gate comes to ₹3,500 total. The same package at Turtle Beach comes to ₹5,500. Tell us what you’re after — calmer and closer, or a bit further out — and your instructor can help you choose.
Your Safety, Explained
Why this is safe even if you can’t swim.
There are multiple things that you need to understand before you figure this out.
SSI does not have a mandatory swimming test for this programme, but does recommend you feel reasonably comfortable in deep water. We do have a practice session of up to 40–60 minutes in chest-deep water near the beach to help you feel comfortable in deep water right before the actual scuba diving experience.
The modern diving equipment lets you float at the surface without fighting it. You can literally lie on the surface very comfortably. It also helps you become neutrally buoyant and balanced so that you don’t have to crawl over the bottom, while your instructor swims and makes you glide through the reef.
Nobody says this part out loud: the moment you first put a regulator in your mouth and go underwater, it’s completely normal to feel like you can’t breathe, even though air is flowing exactly as it should. That’s your brain reacting to something unfamiliar, not an actual problem, and it goes away within a couple of minutes for nearly everyone.
Adopting a habit of smooth breathing through your mouth takes 10 to 30 minutes, and it varies from person to person. Just do not give up in the first 10 minutes. I’ve been helping nervous first-timers breathe comfortably underwater since 2010, first as a divemaster and then as an SSI instructor. All it takes is some extra time, some motivation, a little encouragement, and an experienced instructor who knows the trick.
No Surprises
Here’s exactly what happens.
Pick-up & getting ready
- Pick-up happens 15–20 minutes before your slot starts, depending on how far away you’re staying.
- Morning briefing, paperwork, and sorting out your equipment, including your wetsuit, at our office.
- Our car drops you at Bonga Ghat, near Govind Nagar Beach. (On the rare day when tides are too low at Bonga Ghat, this part simply moves to another calm, sheltered spot nearby.)
Equipment & in-water skills
Your instructor assembles your equipment, including the scuba tank, and takes you through an in-water practice session — the seven skills, in order:
- Adopting a habit of breathing through the mouth using the regulator.
- Normalising your breathing, with guidance from your instructor.
- Breathing underwater, and realising that it works.
- Practising removing and replacing the regulator underwater, to build confidence.
- Practising mask clearing and removing water from the mask underwater.
- Practising and experiencing equalisation techniques for deeper water.
- Learning hand signals to communicate underwater.
To the dive site
- Boarding the speed boat, listening to the safety briefing, and settling in comfortably.
- Once you arrive at the dive site, you’ll do a pre-dive safety check with your instructor (the boat crew assists).
- Making a back-roll entry into the water, with a hand-signal check alongside your instructor at the surface.
The dive
- Your first glimpse of the coral reef and the fish around you — a moment most people never forget.
- Your instructor keeps a constant eye on you, within arm’s reach, to make sure you’re comfortable and enjoying the dive.
- Your instructor takes you to different parts of the reef so you don’t miss anything underwater.
- Our cameraman joins partway through your dive to capture the moment and turn it into a lasting memory.
I could describe the rest, but I really would like you to experience it rather than reading. After the dive, you’re back on the boat with a smile that’s hard to miss. We sign you off, and our car drops you back where you’re staying.
Try Scuba vs. Courses
Is this the same as getting certified?
Try Scuba Dive is a brief, introductory dive programme designed for beginners and non-swimmers, usually conducted under the direct supervision of a dive instructor. Certification courses, on the other hand, are full-fledged dive programmes that require theory classes, confined-water skill sessions, open-water dives, and certification.
Certification courses allow you to dive deeper independently with a dive buddy, worldwide. It’s worth knowing upfront: every Try Scuba package includes a genuine open-water dive, not just time in a pool — but that still doesn’t make it a certification.
| Feature | Try Scuba Dive | Certification Courses |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Experience scuba diving for the first time | Learn scuba diving and become a certified diver |
| Depth limit | Maximum 12 metres | Maximum 30 metres |
| Swimming prerequisite | Not required | Basic swimming required |
| Dive assistance | Assisted dive (instructor to guest 1:1) | Independent dive with a buddy |
| Duration | Roughly 2.5 to 4 hours | 2–4 days, based on programme |
| Equipment knowledge | Basic introduction | Comprehensive setup and usage |
| Emergency training | Minimal training | Detailed rescue & safety procedures |
| Cost | Lower cost | Higher cost, due to training & certification |
| Best for | Vacation activity, first-time experience | Long-term diving hobby, travel & adventure |
Check out our scuba diving courses to go from a beginner to a certified diver.
View Scuba Diving Courses →Eligibility
Who can do this — age & medical fitness.
To be eligible for a try scuba dive experience in Havelock, you must be at least 10 years old and physically and mentally fit to dive. Swimming isn’t a prerequisite — a personal instructor swims for you and takes care of your underwater dive journey. Here’s what that means in practice.
Try Scuba is built for first-timers, beginners, and non-swimmers. Anyone without a certification can scuba dive with an assigned personal instructor.
Minimum age: 10 years old, to be eligible to scuba dive in the Andaman Islands. Maximum age: there’s no upper limit, as long as you’re physically fit.
You’ll need to be in good physical and mental health to be eligible. Check our medical questionnaire to confirm your fitness for scuba diving.
A fit-to-dive medical certificate is mandatory if you have any of the following:
- Ear problems (infection, eardrum issues, ear surgery, etc.)
- Diabetes or high blood pressure
- Prescription medication for an ongoing health issue
- Heart or respiratory surgery within the last 12 months
- Back problems, hernia, or ulcers
- Stomach or intestinal issues, including diarrhoea
A handful of conditions mean we can’t take you diving, regardless of medical clearance:
Not because of paperwork — because the risk genuinely isn’t worth it.
- Pregnancy
- Heart disease (heart attack, stroke, etc.)
- Asthma
- Aquaphobia (fear of water)
- History of epilepsy, blackouts, or loss of consciousness
- Mental or psychological conditions
- Weight above 120 kg
For the full age and medical framework, see our scuba diving in Andaman guide.
Frequently Asked
Questions first-timers always ask.
Yes — you don’t need to know how to swim to try scuba diving with us. At Seahawks SCUBA, all packages are conducted as per SSI’s Basic Diver programme, which has no swim test requirement. Your instructor stays close throughout the dive, handling your buoyancy and equipment, and swimming for you — so you’re never relying on your own swimming ability to dive and stay safe. Being at ease in water helps you enjoy it a lot more, which is why we’ll check your comfort level and help build it up during the practice session, before heading out for the actual dive.
Almost all first-timers feel this. That’s why we run a 40 to 60 minute practice session in chest-deep water — adopting the habit of mouth-breathing through the regulator takes anywhere from 2 to 30 minutes, depending on the person. Common reasons: overthinking, tensing up from fear, and over-breathing. You’ve breathed through your nose your whole life, so your brain needs a few minutes to adjust — that’s normal, not a mistake. Relax and breathe slow and steady; you’ll get past it within minutes, and it won’t show up again once you’re on the actual dive.
Sharks are one of the most common fears people bring to their first dive, almost entirely shaped by movies rather than reality. The sharks that live by the coral reefs here are naturally shy and completely harmless — I’ve personally never seen one actively approach a diver since 2007. The best part: none of our five Try Scuba sites — Tribe Gate, Purple Haze, Juvi’s Coral Reef, Light House, or Turtle Beach — have sharks at all, at least not that I’ve seen in years. So it’s simply not something you need to think about here.
This is one of the most common fears, but it’s also one of the easiest to understand. The scuba equipment you use is fitted with a submersible pressure gauge, which shows how much air is left in your tank. We fill the tank to 210 bar before the dive, and we abort all dives once the tank pressure drops to 50 bar. What this means for you: you never run out of air while diving with a dive professional. We’re trained for exactly this.
Yes, it does if you forget to equalise your eardrum air-space in time, especially after getting over-excited during the dive. Pressure increases as you descend, and right at the beginning, you’ll feel squeeze discomfort at around 1.5 metres — the same discomfort you feel when a flight is landing. Just add a little air by gently pinching your nose and blowing against it, or by swallowing saliva or moving your jaw side to side. You shouldn’t feel pain in your eardrums if you equalise whenever you feel that squeeze discomfort, even if it means doing it several times.
Yes, in fact you should try — open water doesn’t feel the way a small closed room does, since there’s nothing actually around you. The mask and wetsuit can feel snug at first, and that’s worth mentioning to your instructor before you start, so they can help you ease into the gear at your own pace. If it ever feels like too much, you can stop, surface, and try again once you’re ready — there’s no pressure to push through it.
We take first-timers to a maximum of 12 metres, as per SSI’s Basic Diver limits. As an instructor, I believe in taking you to the parts of the reef where plenty of colourful fish and marine life are visible, so you’re thoroughly entertained. It could be 5 metres, 8 metres, or up to 12 metres. Our first priority is your safety, and our second priority is your enjoyment.
You can stop at any point — before, during, or after gearing up — and nobody will pressure you to continue. Your instructor stays close throughout specifically so they can read your body language and respond before a small discomfort turns into a real problem. The standard response is simple: stop, breathe, and signal your instructor, who will slow down or surface with you immediately. Plenty of first-timers need a pause before they’re ready to continue, and that’s completely normal.
At Seahawks SCUBA, the minimum age across all Try Scuba packages is 10 years old, as per SSI’s Basic Diver standards. There’s no fixed upper age limit, but anyone 45 or older is asked to complete a standard medical questionnaire before diving. Conditions like ear problems, diabetes, high blood pressure, or recent surgery need a fit-to-dive medical certificate from your doctor. If you have heart disease or asthma, I can’t take you diving, regardless of medical clearance — it’s simply too risky for a first dive. Please read the diver medical questionnaire for the full list.
Scuba diving packages range from ₹3,500 to ₹5,000 per person, including a real open-water dive lasting 20 to 50 minutes. A small boat charge may apply depending on the distance of the dive site you choose, ranging from ₹0 to ₹2,000 per person. Every package includes an SSI certificate of experience.
What’s Next
Loved it? Here’s what comes next.
What Divers Say
Real experiences from first-timers like you.
My wife is hydrophobic, but she signed up because I wanted to dive. Abhi and Guddu were assigned to us and were incredibly patient and calm with both of us. Not only did she go through with the dive — she came out genuinely happy she did. A great experience for both of us.
Try Scuba DiveA wonderful experience with Seahawks SCUBA. Our instructors Naveen and Guddu taught us all the skills with great patience. The videos and photos came out beautifully clear.
Try Scuba DiveMy first time scuba diving as a non-swimmer — I was super nervous going in. The entire Seahawks team, including Guddu, Lakshmi, Niko, Amit and others, made it an unforgettable experience. The photos and videos were top-notch. Would totally recommend to beginners and experienced divers alike.
Non-Swimmer First DiveMy first water sports experience ever. As a non-swimmer, I was sceptical I'd manage it — but the entire team including Deb, Guddu, Lakshmi, AB, Amit and others made it truly mesmerising. Would suggest Seahawks to every beginner and experienced diver out there. You won't regret it.
Non-Swimmer First DiveAn amazing experience in Havelock. The instructors were friendly and supportive, and made me feel comfortable from start to finish — clear explanations made everything easy even as a complete beginner. Crystal-clear water, colourful fish, and underwater views that were absolutely beautiful. The highlight of my Andaman trip.
Try Scuba DiveDeb and Nabin were wonderful — super patient answering all our questions and helping us feel at ease with the SCUBA equipment. We enjoyed both of our dives thoroughly.
Scuba DivingA seamless experience from booking to drop-off. Deb was courteous and attentive to our specific needs (travelling with two kids). On the day, Guddu, Nikoo and the team made sure we were calm before the dive and were with us throughout. We spent nearly 40 minutes underwater — schools of fish, corals, clams, octopus, sea urchins, sea cucumbers. Just being in the blue made us forget all our troubles.
Boat Dive ExperienceI dived with my wife, and it was one of the most memorable experiences of our lives. Our instructor Abhijith was professional, calm and encouraging throughout. The underwater world — colourful fish, coral, marine life I had only ever seen on TV — was magical in real life. My wife, diving for the first time, felt completely comfortable. This experience gave us memories we will cherish forever.
Couples Dive ExperienceAn absolutely unforgettable scuba diving experience with Seahawks SCUBA in Havelock Island. From the very first moment, Deb and the entire team made us feel welcomed, safe and genuinely excited about exploring the underwater world. Their warm professionalism and genuine care stood out at every step of the journey.
Try Scuba DiveHad a great time with Seahawks. Dive Master SJ was extremely attentive and kept checking on us throughout the entire dive. A special shoutout to training instructor Abhi as well — both made the experience really smooth and enjoyable.
Boat Dive Experience