Explore Havelock and Neil Islands

Diving in Havelock and Neil Islands, located in the southern part of the Andaman Islands, offers a uniquely captivating underwater experience. Havelock Island is renowned for its vibrant macro diving sites, where divers can discover a mesmerizing array of tiny marine creatures. Imagine encountering colorful nudibranchs, intriguing shrimps, and curious juvenile scorpionfish amidst the lush marine landscape. The island's diverse dive environments include stunning coral reefs and intriguing underwater landscapes, perfect for both novice and experienced divers seeking adventure.

Neil Island, often considered a less trodden gem, provides an equally enthralling experience with its pristine coral reefs and tranquil underwater vistas. The island's relatively untouched sites offer divers the chance to explore its rich biodiversity in a more intimate setting, away from the crowds. Easily accessible from Port Blair and Havelock, Neil Island promises a serene escape for those looking to connect with nature. Whether embarking on a boat dive or enjoying the thrill of a shore dive, these islands boast a rich tapestry of marine life and breathtaking underwater scenery that make them must-visit destinations for diving enthusiasts.

Courses and Events

Open Water Instructor (Instructor Training Course ITC)

The Instructor Evaluation (IE) is the final step of SSI’s 2-Step Instructor Training Approach Divemasters or equivalent-level professionals will have to successfully complete the Instructor Training Course (ITC) first where you’ll learn how to: • Conduct academic sessions • Lead confined water training • Teach Open Water Diver and various Specialty programs like Enriched Air Nitrox, Diver Stress&Rescue, Perfect Buoyancy and more • Develop student management and communication skills Already an experienced instructor with another agency? You may be eligible for shortened oboarding options where you will only have to complete certain parts of the Instructor Training Course (ITC) followed by passing an Instructor Evaluation (IE). Contact an SSI Training Center near you to learn more. Already certified as an Assistant Instructor with another agency? You could continue your professional journey with SSI. Get in touch with a local SSI Training Center to explore your options.
On request

Dive Activity

Diving in Havelock and Neil Islands

Havelock and Neil Islands are renowned for their exceptional dive sites, offering a blend of thrilling underwater adventures. At Havelock, the wreck dive at MV Mars is a highlight, providing divers with a chance to explore a sunken ship teeming with marine life. Additionally, shore dives around Elephant Beach are popular for their accessibility and vibrant coral gardens, attracting diverse fish species. Neil Island, on the other hand, offers unique night diving experiences where bioluminescent creatures illuminate the waters. The island's underwater landscapes are a haven for spotting rare marine behaviors, such as nocturnal hunting. Both islands cater to a range of diving preferences, balancing shore-based dives with liveaboard options, ensuring dive travelers can experience the best of both worlds.

Top Wildlife Sightings in Havelock and Neil Islands

Havelock and Neil Islands, located in the Andaman archipelago, are famous for their vibrant marine life and striking coral reefs. Divers can expect to encounter a plethora of common reef fish such as parrotfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish, which adorn the colorful underwater landscape year-round. These islands serve as a haven for diverse marine species, making every dive an adventure. During certain seasons, divers have the opportunity to witness larger marine creatures. Sightings of majestic reef sharks and graceful manta rays are more frequent from November to April, coinciding with clearer waters. Sea turtles, including the green and hawksbill varieties, are often observed gliding through the waters, particularly around nesting areas like Radhanagar Beach. The rich marine biodiversity of these islands offers divers an unforgettable experience with a high likelihood of encountering these fascinating species.

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 600

iStock/ultramarinfoto

Wrasse
1.5k Sightings
J
116
F
110
M
166
A
246
M
121
J
78
J
25
A
44
S
53
O
154
N
198
D
205

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 200

Alamy-WaterFrame

Moray Eel
1.1k Sightings
J
131
F
88
M
133
A
161
M
98
J
44
J
20
A
50
S
42
O
104
N
127
D
130

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 27

iStock-Global_Pics

Barracuda
896 Sightings
J
48
F
58
M
95
A
158
M
98
J
34
J
14
A
35
S
23
O
73
N
129
D
131

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 300

Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl

Octopus
680 Sightings
J
46
F
53
M
110
A
108
M
73
J
28
J
19
A
14
S
25
O
45
N
83
D
76

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 28

Udo Kefrig

Clownfish
5.4k Sightings
J
415
F
384
M
624
A
745
M
454
J
226
J
148
A
196
S
249
O
580
N
682
D
649

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 100

iStock-burnsboxco

Parrotfish
4.5k Sightings
J
436
F
332
M
506
A
613
M
346
J
200
J
112
A
146
S
203
O
410
N
559
D
596

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 130

Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek

Butterfly Fish
4.3k Sightings
J
317
F
309
M
469
A
623
M
347
J
202
J
104
A
147
S
212
O
441
N
560
D
545

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 90

Shutterstock-Rich Carey

Angelfish
4.2k Sightings
J
376
F
277
M
458
A
616
M
334
J
204
J
101
A
150
S
190
O
459
N
504
D
543

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 110

iStock-Rainer von Brandis

Snapper
3.6k Sightings
J
327
F
233
M
404
A
526
M
270
J
177
J
96
A
122
S
149
O
355
N
451
D
476

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 40

iStock-wrangel

Triggerfish
3.1k Sightings
J
261
F
200
M
330
A
445
M
250
J
161
J
79
A
91
S
152
O
331
N
391
D
427
Show More

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 85

iStock-mirecca

Surgeonfish
3.1k Sightings
J
232
F
209
M
360
A
446
M
226
J
155
J
93
A
95
S
158
O
299
N
382
D
412

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 8

Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl

Bannerfish
2.9k Sightings
J
247
F
226
M
298
A
437
M
212
J
144
J
82
A
112
S
126
O
271
N
343
D
362

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 350

Alamy-Andre Seal

Damselfish
2.8k Sightings
J
194
F
217
M
330
A
421
M
205
J
132
J
88
A
88
S
117
O
271
N
373
D
382

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 250

Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker

Grouper/Basslets
2.7k Sightings
J
248
F
203
M
321
A
437
M
180
J
134
J
69
A
101
S
104
O
286
N
335
D
320

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 12

iStock/cinoby

Lionfish
2.4k Sightings
J
222
F
181
M
257
A
354
M
133
J
111
J
53
A
99
S
135
O
260
N
317
D
300

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 150

Shutterstock-aquapix

Sweetlips and Grunts
2.4k Sightings
J
214
F
139
M
284
A
394
M
167
J
134
J
61
A
85
S
119
O
234
N
260
D
282

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 90

Shutterstock-Levent Konuk

Goatfish
1.8k Sightings
J
137
F
123
M
175
A
294
M
157
J
110
J
79
A
61
S
90
O
153
N
209
D
219

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 130

AdobeStock-JirinaVFR

Pufferfish
1.7k Sightings
J
178
F
138
M
166
A
247
M
103
J
81
J
48
A
77
S
85
O
135
N
196
D
213

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 80

iStock/Extreme-Photographer

Stingrays
1.3k Sightings
J
144
F
106
M
146
A
250
M
92
J
43
J
20
A
26
S
43
O
131
N
142
D
148

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 40

iStock-Hoatzinexp

Jackfish
1.3k Sightings
J
71
F
93
M
171
A
213
M
82
J
36
J
53
A
56
S
29
O
111
N
151
D
204

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 250

iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.

Scorpionfish
669 Sightings
J
39
F
44
M
77
A
96
M
31
J
40
J
11
A
35
S
31
O
93
N
88
D
84

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 60

iStock-Global_Pics

Soldierfish
650 Sightings
J
22
F
29
M
53
A
125
M
59
J
48
J
43
A
49
S
29
O
33
N
70
D
90
AdobeStock-_italo

Moon Jellyfish
590 Sightings
J
0
F
4
M
56
A
255
M
186
J
34
J
0
A
4
S
4
O
13
N
14
D
20

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3400

Shutterstock-Shane Gross

Shrimp
460 Sightings
J
28
F
38
M
76
A
80
M
59
J
34
J
13
A
17
S
13
O
27
N
55
D
20

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 25

AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel

Boxfish
419 Sightings
J
34
F
45
M
62
A
82
M
10
J
5
J
17
A
26
S
13
O
12
N
51
D
62

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 80

iStock-bearacreative

Emperor
341 Sightings
J
12
F
27
M
48
A
84
M
48
J
19
J
29
A
11
S
10
O
9
N
20
D
24

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 7000

iStock-Michael Zeigler

Crab
271 Sightings
J
21
F
30
M
15
A
30
M
39
J
28
J
7
A
12
S
8
O
20
N
38
D
23

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 130

iStock-Christian von Mach

Pipefish
269 Sightings
J
3
F
36
M
21
A
51
M
43
J
20
J
10
A
10
S
7
O
12
N
31
D
25

The best Months to dive in Havelock and Neil Islands

Havelock and Neil Islands, part of India's Andaman Islands, offer excellent diving conditions year-round. The water temperature ranges from 26°C–30°C/79°F–86°F, providing comfortable diving nearly any time of the year. Visibility is typically clear, often exceeding 20 meters/66 feet, which allows for vibrant underwater exploration. Diving is generally possible throughout the year, though the monsoon season from June to September can bring strong winds and currents, slightly reducing visibility and making some days less ideal for diving. The best time for diving is from October to May when the weather is more stable and the sea conditions are calm, offering divers the optimal experience.

Dive Centers

DIVEIndia Havelock

White Sand Beach Resort, 744211 Havelock, Andaman Islands, IND

DIVEIndia Neil

Neil Kendra, 744104 Shaheed Dweep, IND

Ocean Tribe Scuba, Dickson Poayesay

Next to Sea View Beach Resort, 744211 Andaman and Nicobar, IND

Continental Scuba

Shangri-La Beach Resort, 744211 Havelock Island, Andaman &, IND

Dive Tribe

M/s Dive Tribe, behind AND Restaurant, 744104 South Andaman, Andaman & N, IND

Seahawk Scuba, Debal Deb Das

Beach No. 2, Opposite HDFC Bank, 744211 Havelock Island, IND

Dive Sites

Wild Blue Diving, 628003 tamilnadu

Dicksons Pinnacle (★4.7)

A visit to Havelock island is not complete without at least one dive at Dixon’s Pinnacle. The pinnacles were discovered years ago by a local Andaman instructor called Dickson and since then the site has been the one of the most popular dive sites around Havelock.
SSI Service Center India, 400709 Navi Mumbai

The Junction (★4.7)

This beautiful little site begins with rock formations bejewelled with beautifully coloured soft corals. Since it is a relatively deep site that lies between 28-34 metres with strong eastward currents, time is precious but never spent better.
RAHUL

The Wall (★4.5)

The Wall is a good site for deep dives and is easily assessable from Havelock. A great site for fun dives and training courses. This site must be dived early in the morning due to passenger ferries.
DIVEIndia Neil, 744104 Shaheed Dweep

Aquarium - Neil (★4.5)

A festive theme park composed of patch reefs, hard corals, and shallow waters is a relaxing site for divers to chill and observe beautiful aquatic organisms. The exciting array of rocky patches at the bottom holds a network of colorful corals and reef fish complementing each other in perfect sync.
DIVEIndia Neil, 744104 Shaheed Dweep

Goldies' Garden (★4.4)

Goldies, the shimmering 24-karat wonder of Neil, is a gem of a site ideal for everyone. It’s a concise paradise for expert divers to relax, certified divers to practice, and even first-timers to get introduced to Scuba Diving.
DIVEIndia Neil, 744104 Shaheed Dweep

Fish Slate (★4.5)

Remember the small whiteboard carried by instructors? We may need a bigger one to note down the variety of fish that live here. Fish slate features fringing reefs with a blend of branching and table corals with complex structures providing a safe habitat for marine life and a picturesque platform for divers.
DIVEIndia Neil, 744104 Shaheed Dweep

Nursery - Neil (★4.6)

Nursery is one of the popular dive sites of Neil, with gentle slopes and diversified coral formations suitable for divers and snorkelers. The site is parallel to the fringing reefs closer to the shoreline, making it easily accessible.
DIVEIndia Neil, 744104 Shaheed Dweep

Neil Lighthouse (★4.4)

A magical site straight out of comic books. The short sphere-shaped setup formed around the fallen lighthouse is loaded with charming coral reefs nourishing exuberant fish and other oceanic beings. Once you are here, take some time, look around and try to see the native turtles.
DIVEIndia Neil, 744104 Shaheed Dweep

Bus Stop (★4.5)

Characterized by a captivating expanse, the site is settled with a gentle slope dispersed with small reefs and rocks on a sandy bottom. The pockets of dispersed rocks serve as a pristine habitat for fish and create a dramatic stage for divers to experience both micro and macro life forms.
DIVEIndia Neil, 744104 Shaheed Dweep

Margarita’s Mischief (★4.6)

This is one of three most popular dive sites located between Havelock and Neil Island. Margarita’s mischief is a long chain of rock mounds extending southward and is known for a particular variety of sea grass that dugongs love.
DIVEIndia Neil, 744104 Shaheed Dweep

Anchor Point (★4.2)

A wondrous point to STOP and SPOT the fringing reef loaded with a variety of schooling fish amidst branching and table corals. This mini fish verse is so versatile that divers can stay or hover at a single spot and let the marine life come to them.
DIVEIndia Neil, 744104 Shaheed Dweep

Busy Buro (★4.5)

Busy Burro (busy old man) is located in the channel between Havelock and Neil island. It’s a beautiful natural plateau, where one can expect mild to strong currents around spring tide.
DIVEIndia Neil, 744104 Shaheed Dweep

Orange Oasis (★4.3)

Orange Oasis is a brand-new breathtaking dive site discovered by us at Neil Island. As we descend to 28 M, the dive site offers a gradual slope that leads to a dramatic drop-off where vibrant orange algae give way to a pristine white sandy bottom and soft corals with colorful vibes.
Continental Scuba, 744211 Havelock Island, Andaman &

Jeep Wreck (★4.3)

Located on the right side of Nemo Reef, this dive site has a Mahindra Commander Jeep submerged as an artificial reef. At a maximum depth of only 6 - 8 metres, it is suitable for any kind of dive.
Mares, Predrag Vuckovic

Sync City (★4.6)

A vast dive site consisting of multiple reefs separated by sandy patches. The site starts at 18 metres and goes down to a depth of 27 metres. The site possesses a number of crevices and hollows and even an underwater arch that makes for a great swim through.