Scuba Diving Places in Lakshadweep & Best Time to Visit

The land of a hundred thousand islands is not easily accessible to all. This makes the Lakshadweep Islands an exotic destination for tourists to visit. Located off the Malabar Coast and surrounded by the Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep Islands are a tropical coral paradise.

Marine life near the island is rich and blooming, and the perfect way to explore this is by scuba diving into the deep blue. From beginners to professional divers, one can completely enjoy themselves while exploring the untouched waters of Lakshadweep.

If you're someone who doesn't let the coastlines and beaches limit you, then read on to know more about scuba diving in Lakshadweep Islands!

Water sports enthusiasts have an array of adventure activities to choose from at Lakshadweep. One of the most popular and sought-after ventures is scuba diving! 

The crystal-clear lagoons and un-spoilt coral reefs reflect a brimming aquatic life of different types of fishes - big and small, turtles, sharks, eagle rays, lobsters, eels, groupers, and many more! 

Given below is a list of the best scuba diving spots for you to visit in Lakshadweep.

1. Kavaratti Island

Kavaratti is the capital of Lakshadweep Island and hosts the renowned Dolphin Dive Centre which is ideal for scuba diving beginners. The island also has unique glass-bottomed boats which allow tourists to view the extensive marine life.  

• Popular Diving Spots: Harbour Mouth, Zing Zing Par, Governors Reef, Wall of Wonder, Turtle Nest, Wind Mill Point, South Tip, Sea Fan Garden, Glaser Garden.
  
• Attractions: Caves, shipwrecks, sting rays, sea turtles, corals, coral and grey reef sharks, tropical fishes, giant sea fans, giant trevally, gorgonians, spotted eagle rays, barracudas, batfish, groupers, and more!
  
• Depth: Up to 30m
  
• Costs: Individual dives - ₹2,500 - ₹3,500 & Courses - ₹12,000 - ₹24,000 

2. Kadmat Island

Situated almost 400kms off the coast of Kerala, tear-drop shaped Kadmat Island poses one of the most beautiful diving locations in Lakshadweep. The island also has the only dive school in India offering CMAS certification courses from beginner to instructor levels.

• Popular Diving Spots: The Wall, North Cave, Turtle City, Double Reef, Shark Alley, Potato Patch, Jack Point.
• Attractions: Coral reefs, lionfish, lobsters, tuna, rays, sharks, shoaling jacks, fusiliers, sweet lips, groupers, rays, eels, turtles, dolphins, sea cucumbers.
• Depth: 20m - 50m
  
• Costs: Individual dives - ₹3,000 - ₹5,000 & Courses - ₹20,000 - ₹65,000

3. Bangaram Island

Located close to Agatti and Kavaratti Islands, Bangaram Island is an important tourist destination in Lakshadweep. The island has an astounding bluish glow because of the washed-up phosphorescent plankton on the shores.

• Popular Diving Spots: Grand Canine, Shallow Point, Manta Point, Little Canine, Thinnakara Hills, Bangaram Reef, Thinnakara Reef.
  
• Attractions: Shipwrecks, mantas, reef sharks, eagle rays, turtles, trigger fish, porcupine fish, parrot fish, puffer fish.
• Depth: 10m - 50m
  
• Costs: Individual dives - ₹2,500 - ₹5,000 & Courses - ₹11,000 - ₹65,000

4. Minicoy Island

Minicoy is the second-largest, southern-most island in the Lakshadweep group of islands. It is crescent-shaped and has a huge lagoon on the western side. Minicoy has three large shipwrecks within 8m depth on the island reef, which act as virtual underwater museums! 

• Popular Diving Spots: Ragganmathi, Mulimatti, Rabberufarai, Bose Point, Murambu, Boduhavaligang.
  
• Attractions: Shipwrecks, sharks, manta rays, eagle rays, bull rays, green sea turtles, black snappers, barracuda, school of jacks, red snappers, black snappers, napoleon wrasse, sweet lips, humpback parrot fish, surgeon fish.
• Depth: Up to 30m
  
• Costs: Individual dives:  - ₹2,500 - ₹3,500 & Courses - ₹20,000 - ₹65,000

5. Other Locations

Apart from these four popular diving sites in Lakshadweep, you can also explore diving at:

• Agatti Island: Majority of the tourists land in Lakshadweep by air through Agatti Island. Coral growths and multi-coloured coral fishes abound in its lagoons. The main attraction at the island is the water sport facility including scuba diving starting from ₹2,500.
  
• Thinnakara Island: Thinnakara is a tiny teardrop-shaped island which lies 8 km northeast of Agatti. During the nights, phosphorescent plankton washed ashore on the coral sands, imparts an enchanting blue glow to the beach. The island is famous for scuba diving which cost approximately ₹3,000. Popular dive sites also include Princess Royal Wreck, Thinnakara Hill, Grand Canyon, Little Canyon, 3 Anchors & A Ring, etc.

October to mid-May are the best months to visit Lakshadweep Islands for scuba diving as the weather is pleasant with calm waters and favourable conditions to explore the Arabian Sea.

Before you go scuba diving in Lakshadweep, be sure to carry these essential items:

• Sunblock
• Hydrating liquids
• Dry bag 
• First aid kit
• Underwater camera, if needed with a case to protect your camera from getting wet, and
• Identification documents are always handy.

Scuba diving operators in the islands will provide you with scuba diving equipment. Be sure to check your equipment before you're in the water to avoid malfunctions. 

• Dive only in areas that are designated for scuba diving.
• Picking up corals is generally considered a crime in Lakshadweep Islands. Avoid standing, walking, breaking or collecting corals.
• Always pay attention to your instructor and follow their rules or guidelines.
• Avoid diving under the influence of substances or if advised against by a medical practitioner.
• There should be a time gap of at least 24 hours between flying and going scuba diving.

As the Lakshadweep Islands are untouched by industrialization, the waters and landscapes are preserved, retaining nature's true beauty. Tourist entry to the islands is also limited, making it almost like forbidden fruit for adventure junkies. 

Scuba diving in Lakshadweep is bound to blow your mind with the extensive marine life you can swim among, ideal climatic conditions and trained professionals guiding you through your experience. It is important to respect your surrounding environment and your instructor to have a complete awe-striking adventure under water.