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India

© UmeedMistry

Explore India

Diving in India offers a kaleidoscope of underwater experiences, thanks to its vast and varied coastline stretching over 8,000 kilometers/5,000 miles. The country's unique location in the tropics contributes to a diverse marine environment, featuring vibrant coral reefs, intriguing wrecks, and majestic walls that promise an enriching adventure for divers of all levels. The top diving regions, such as the Andaman Islands and the Eastern and Western Ghats, fall within tropical rainforest habitats, providing a rich tapestry of marine biodiversity.

In the Andaman Islands, expect to encounter technicolor coral gardens teeming with marine life, including manta rays, whale sharks, and mesmerizing schools of fish. The Eastern and Western Ghats offer an equally compelling diving scene, with abundant marine species and varied seascapes that range from shallow reefs to deeper wall dives. India’s diving options cater to all preferences, from shore and boat dives to liveaboard expeditions, allowing divers to embark on personalized underwater journeys. Seasonal variations add an extra layer of excitement, with different marine creatures making their presence known at various times of the year, ensuring a unique experience each visit.

Power Plug Type
C, D, M
Payment Method
VISA, MC, AMEX, DC, JCB, Cir, Plus
Tipping
5–10% / Restaurant & Hotel Staff / Tipping is appreciated in mid- to high-end establishments; not customary at local eateries or when service charge is included.
Currency
INR
Dial Code
+91
Electricity
230 V / 50 Hz
Time
UTC+5:30

Top Regions to Explore

Upcoming Events

Dive Centers

Dive Sites

Top Wildlife Sightings in India

India's diverse marine life is a treasure trove for divers. Common reef fish include species like butterflyfish, parrotfish, and angelfish, which are often seen around the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep. These vibrant fish are a staple of coral reefs and can be spotted year-round, providing a colorful backdrop to any dive. Seasonal highlights include the majestic whale shark, the world's largest fish, often sighted off the coast of Gujarat between March and May. Sea turtles, such as the Olive Ridley, are commonly encountered during nesting season from November to April, especially along the coasts of Odisha and Tamil Nadu. Manta rays grace the waters of the Andaman Sea, primarily from November to April, offering a memorable experience for divers.

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 approx.: 200

Moray Eel

Moray Eel

3.3k Sightings
J
320
F
427
M
592
A
465
M
198
J
95
J
106
A
89
S
84
O
242
N
342
D
360

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

Total number of species approx.: 600

Wrasse

Wrasse

2.9k Sightings
J
243
F
330
M
507
A
434
M
208
J
140
J
78
A
54
S
78
O
221
N
324
D
331

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

Total number of species approx.: 27

Barracuda

Barracuda

2.2k Sightings
J
112
F
209
M
437
A
385
M
225
J
95
J
81
A
68
S
64
O
136
N
193
D
193

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

Total number of species approx.: 300

Octopus

Octopus

980 Sightings
J
56
F
97
M
167
A
187
M
113
J
35
J
34
A
21
S
35
O
59
N
93
D
83
Green Turtle

Green Turtle

253 Sightings
J
19
F
39
M
11
A
58
M
31
J
12
J
18
A
9
S
11
O
25
N
8
D
12

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

Total number of species approx.: 90

Angelfish

Angelfish

8.5k Sightings
J
733
F
845
M
1.3k
A
1.3k
M
652
J
404
J
218
A
212
S
259
O
677
N
935
D
929

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

Total number of species approx.: 130

Butterfly Fish

Butterfly Fish

8.3k Sightings
J
689
F
836
M
1.3k
A
1.2k
M
646
J
386
J
224
A
203
S
275
O
631
N
977
D
929

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

Total number of species approx.: 100

Parrotfish

Parrotfish

8.1k Sightings
J
752
F
820
M
1.3k
A
1.2k
M
660
J
362
J
229
A
191
S
260
O
594
N
894
D
912

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

Total number of species approx.: 28

Clownfish

Clownfish

7.6k Sightings
J
507
F
668
M
1.1k
A
1.2k
M
730
J
372
J
260
A
243
S
309
O
713
N
805
D
738

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

Total number of species approx.: 110

Snapper

Snapper

6.9k Sightings
J
626
F
619
M
1.1k
A
1k
M
551
J
320
J
197
A
175
S
196
O
524
N
770
D
756

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

Total number of species approx.: 40

Triggerfish

Triggerfish

6.2k Sightings
J
464
F
627
M
956
A
917
M
518
J
297
J
181
A
131
S
193
O
474
N
694
D
701

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

Total number of species approx.: 85

Surgeonfish

Surgeonfish

5.9k Sightings
J
476
F
572
M
958
A
871
M
454
J
291
J
178
A
123
S
193
O
423
N
683
D
685

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

Total number of species approx.: 8

Bannerfish

Bannerfish

5.9k Sightings
J
504
F
591
M
971
A
909
M
446
J
295
J
174
A
152
S
175
O
423
N
630
D
633

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

Total number of species approx.: 250

Grouper/Basslets

Grouper/Basslets

5.8k Sightings
J
576
F
642
M
953
A
829
M
357
J
246
J
141
A
152
S
165
O
476
N
632
D
627

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

Total number of species approx.: 350

Damselfish

Damselfish

5.1k Sightings
J
387
F
511
M
846
A
748
M
387
J
242
J
149
A
113
S
151
O
375
N
559
D
633

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

Total number of species approx.: 150

Sweetlips and Grunts

Sweetlips and Grunts

4.7k Sightings
J
381
F
454
M
739
A
781
M
334
J
260
J
125
A
127
S
163
O
368
N
440
D
480

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

Total number of species approx.: 12

Lionfish

Lionfish

4.5k Sightings
J
385
F
433
M
622
A
643
M
269
J
206
J
138
A
131
S
174
O
404
N
538
D
509

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

Total number of species approx.: 130

Pufferfish

Pufferfish

3.6k Sightings
J
375
F
373
M
522
A
477
M
186
J
157
J
88
A
124
S
118
O
261
N
473
D
463

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

Total number of species approx.: 90

Goatfish

Goatfish

3.2k Sightings
J
248
F
349
M
489
A
512
M
296
J
191
J
116
A
86
S
123
O
188
N
297
D
326

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

Total number of species approx.: 40

Jackfish

Jackfish

2.3k Sightings
J
118
F
230
M
412
A
385
M
199
J
127
J
118
A
77
S
49
O
153
N
203
D
254

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

Total number of species approx.: 80

Stingrays

Stingrays

2.2k Sightings
J
197
F
220
M
347
A
448
M
159
J
64
J
87
A
45
S
64
O
187
N
169
D
188

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

Total number of species approx.: 60

Soldierfish

Soldierfish

1.6k Sightings
J
91
F
151
M
281
A
300
M
152
J
125
J
73
A
58
S
49
O
47
N
159
D
162

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

Total number of species approx.: 250

Scorpionfish

Scorpionfish

1.5k Sightings
J
134
F
141
M
264
A
183
M
97
J
47
J
21
A
43
S
33
O
143
N
220
D
191
Moon Jellyfish

Moon Jellyfish

849 Sightings
J
0
F
9
M
102
A
385
M
246
J
38
J
7
A
8
S
4
O
13
N
16
D
21

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

Total number of species approx.: 25

Boxfish

Boxfish

832 Sightings
J
74
F
88
M
151
A
147
M
42
J
14
J
45
A
45
S
22
O
39
N
68
D
97

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

Total number of species approx.: 3400

Shrimp

Shrimp

758 Sightings
J
42
F
68
M
162
A
152
M
76
J
55
J
21
A
19
S
15
O
46
N
75
D
27

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

Total number of species approx.: 3000

Nudibranch

Nudibranch

723 Sightings
J
50
F
73
M
103
A
109
M
75
J
31
J
42
A
31
S
12
O
53
N
81
D
63

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

Total number of species approx.: 80

Emperor

Emperor

644 Sightings
J
21
F
37
M
139
A
162
M
98
J
51
J
24
A
14
S
12
O
20
N
31
D
35

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

Total number of species approx.: 7000

Crab

Crab

642 Sightings
J
55
F
64
M
127
A
74
M
53
J
41
J
24
A
16
S
18
O
37
N
57
D
76

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

Total number of species approx.: 60

Squirrelfish

Squirrelfish

556 Sightings
J
32
F
49
M
103
A
99
M
74
J
42
J
18
A
5
S
12
O
13
N
87
D
22

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

Total number of species approx.: 20

Porcupinefish

Porcupinefish

470 Sightings
J
55
F
90
M
53
A
42
M
17
J
20
J
15
A
13
S
13
O
35
N
26
D
91

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

Total number of species approx.: 15

Tuna

Tuna

399 Sightings
J
22
F
37
M
97
A
81
M
25
J
22
J
22
A
4
S
12
O
26
N
22
D
29
Whitetip Reef Shark

Whitetip Reef Shark

306 Sightings
J
23
F
31
M
52
A
63
M
25
J
12
J
12
A
12
S
16
O
21
N
13
D
26

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

Total number of species approx.: 130

Pipefish

Pipefish

288 Sightings
J
3
F
37
M
21
A
54
M
55
J
22
J
10
A
12
S
6
O
12
N
31
D
25
Banded Sea Krait

Banded Sea Krait

258 Sightings
J
31
F
23
M
43
A
39
M
16
J
30
J
15
A
3
S
6
O
13
N
25
D
14

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

Total number of species approx.: 55

Lobster

Lobster

224 Sightings
J
11
F
14
M
27
A
56
M
17
J
29
J
18
A
0
S
8
O
9
N
35
D
0

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