Scuba Diving

What it is

Explore reefs, wrecks and marine life on tank-supplied air. Warm tropical water across India, the Gulf and the Maldives atolls, with established PADI and SSI dive centres in all three countries.

When to go

October to May on both Indian coasts, with the Andamans diving nearly year-round. The Maldives dives all year (best visibility December to April) and Dubai runs year-round, with the pool unaffected by weather.

First time?

No certification needed for an intro dive (usually called Discover Scuba): a briefing, shallow water practice, then a guided dive to around 12 metres. Certification courses take 3 to 4 days.

Where to do it

• Andaman Islands

  Havelock and Neil, the clearest water and richest reefs in India

• Netrani Island, Karnataka

  boat dives from Murudeshwar, frequent turtle sightings

• Grande Island, Goa

  easy conditions, the most affordable place to try diving

• Rasdhoo and Fulidhoo, Maldives

  channel dives, dawn hammerheads and nurse sharks off the jetty

• Dubai

  Gulf wrecks plus the 60-metre Deep Dive Dubai pool

• Pondicherry

  the east coast option, artificial reefs and pelagic life