Choose the dive before you choose the island.

Short answer: choose the exact scuba programme and a centre with current permission before choosing an island or comparing prices. An introductory dive is not a certification course. A famous island name is not proof that the programme, site or operator is suitable on your date.

If you already have several nights on Swaraj Dweep (Havelock Island), checking a dive there is usually the simplest itinerary choice. Shaheed Dweep (Neil Island) or Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair) can also fit when a currently permitted centre offers the right programme without making a ferry or flight day fragile.

Programme, medical, age, depth, supervision and operator guidance checked on 25 September 2026 against the Andaman and Nicobar Tourism Department's amended scuba-diving guidelines and water-sport operator directory.

Start with the programme, not the package

The official guidelines treat an uncertified participant as a trainee. A certified diver is expected to show the relevant certificate and logbook. Ask the centre to name the programme in writing. “Scuba package” is too vague for a useful comparison.

If you are still choosing between scuba, snorkelling, sea walking and a viewing boat, use the broader Andaman water activities guide. This page is for the scuba decision after being underwater has become the priority.

Can a non-swimmer do scuba?

There is no dependable universal yes or no in the current Andaman guidelines. Programme standards, water confidence, medical screening and the instructor's assessment all matter. Tell the centre honestly whether you can swim, float, put your face in the water and remain calm while breathing through a mouthpiece.

Ask for the programme's actual water-skill requirement before paying. Do not accept “non-swimmer friendly” as the complete answer. If the briefing or shallow-water practice does not feel manageable, stopping is a sound decision.

Medical screening comes before payment

The amended guidelines require every diver to complete the prescribed medical form. A “yes” answer requires approval from a physician under that process. Obtain the form before making a non-refundable payment if you have a health condition, take regular medicine, are recovering from illness or surgery, or are unsure whether diving is suitable.

Do not hide a medical detail to protect a booking. A seller, hotel desk or general travel page cannot give personal medical clearance.

Age rules depend on the programme

There is no useful single minimum or maximum age for every Andaman dive. The guidelines apply different arrangements to different categories of dive centre. Recognised training-agency programmes follow the relevant agency standards, while another category has a published age range. Guardian approval is required for minors.

For a child or teenager, ask for the exact programme, current age rule, equipment fit, guardian process, planned depth and instructor decision. Do not choose a programme merely because a search result publishes one age number. The Andaman with kids guide covers the wider family itinerary.

Depth is a limit, not a target

The current guidelines cap a Category B introductory programme at 12 metres and an entry-level certified diver at 18 metres or the applicable agency limit. The suitable depth on your day may be shallower. Experience, the programme, site conditions and the instructor's decision come first.

The same rules require a briefing and direct supervision, and prohibit solo diving. Ask who will supervise you, how many participants are in the group, how communication works and what signal stops the dive.

Havelock, Neil or Port Blair?

The Tourism Department directory has scuba-centre sections for all three bases. It is a directory, not a quality ranking or a promise that a centre is operating now. On 25 September 2026, the displayed permission dates for the scuba entries in these sections had already passed. Ask the centre and Tourism Department for current, unexpired proof before relying on a listing.

Choose the base that already fits your route. Then compare the actual programme and centre. The Havelock guide, Neil guide and Port Blair guide help settle the island sequence first.

How to check the dive centre

The official rules require a dive centre to be registered with the Directorate before operating. They also require safety arrangements that include oxygen, first aid, an emergency action plan, communication and trained staff.

1. Ask for the centre's exact registered name and the current permission for the island and activity.
2. Match that name and location with the official directory, then check whether the displayed date is current.
3. Ask for the programme name, training agency or regulatory category, instructor and direct-supervision arrangement.
4. Obtain the medical form and age rule before paying.
5. Ask where oxygen, first aid and communication equipment are kept and how an emergency is handled from that site.
6. Get the total, receipt, cancellation and weather-rescheduling terms in writing.

A directory entry does not prove service quality. Refusal to name the operating centre, pressure to conceal health information or an expired permission with no current proof are sufficient reasons not to proceed.

Compare the full price, not one headline

No current official public tariff establishes one Andaman scuba price. Two quotes can describe different programmes, sites, transport, supervision and inclusions. Ask each centre for the same written breakdown:

• programme and training component;
• site access and boat or road transport;
• equipment and direct supervision;
• taxes and any separate official charges;
• photos or videos, if important;
• receipt, cancellation and weather-rescheduling terms.

The guidelines require operators to issue receipts. Keep the receipt against the registered centre name. Add only the final participating-traveller total to the Andaman trip cost worksheet.

Keep the itinerary resilient

• Do not place the dive immediately after an incoming ferry.
• Do not put it before an island departure or mainland flight.
• Keep one shore-based fallback if conditions cancel the activity.
• Reconfirm the centre, meeting point, programme and medical requirements before leaving your stay.
• Do not promise a particular site or depth to the group before the operating decision is made.

Scuba is one commitment inside the trip, not a reason to make every transfer fragile. A protected activity window also gives the centre room to make a conservative weather or site decision.

Leave the reef alone

The guidelines prohibit physical contact with or damage to coral and marine life, and prohibit collecting coral or marine organisms. Do not touch, stand on, chase or collect anything underwater. Follow the instructor's route and stop when asked.

Questions answered

Do I need certification for scuba diving in Andaman?

Not for a suitable introductory training programme. You remain an uncertified trainee under supervision. A certification course and a certified-diver session are different products.

Is Havelock better than Neil for scuba?

Choose the island already supported by your itinerary, then compare the current centre, programme and conditions. A broad island ranking hides the decision that matters.

What is the minimum age for scuba diving?

There is no single age that covers every programme and centre category. Ask for the exact programme's current rule and guardian process.

How much does scuba diving cost?

No single current official tariff covers every programme. Compare written totals for the same programme, transport, equipment, supervision, taxes, media and cancellation terms.

How do I know whether an operator is registered?

Match the exact centre name, location and activity with the Tourism Department directory, then check the permission date. If it is expired or unclear, obtain current proof from the centre and Tourism Department before paying.

Sources checked

Programme rules and operator permissions can change. These primary sources were checked on 25 September 2026:

• Andaman and Nicobar Tourism: amended scuba-diving guidelines
• Andaman and Nicobar Tourism: water-sport operator directory
• Andaman and Nicobar Tourism: policies and guidelines