India Best Places
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There’s a mesmerising world below the surface of the ocean. The crystal clear depths present the joyful play of the marine life, the view of delicate coral gardens, swaying and lolling under the caress of the waves and the tranquil silence, unbroken except by the rhythm of one’s own breathing. The experience is bound to transport one to a realm beyond consciousness.
Experiencing that realm is a transformative experience. That is what makes scuba diving a very popular activity in the world of water sports. If you are planning a trip to Goa and are ready to step into the world beyond sight, we have collected some best places for you to Scuba dive in Goa. So, jump with us into the realm of unparalleled beauty and choose the best destination for your scuba diving experience.
Best Places for Scuba Diving in Goa
1. Bat Island
After a short, music-filled boat ride, when you reach Bat Island in the middle of the sea, it is bound to mesmerise you with its rocky beaches and diving dolphins.
In the middle of such natural luxury, Bat Island offers one of the most beautiful scuba diving opportunities.
The coral reefs and aquatic sceneries underwater near Bat Island are sights to behold. You get to experience a dive of even 25 feet below water and photos and videos of your exhilarating experience.
Bat Island also offers other water sports. So, if you are looking to get a full-packed adventure of water sports, Bat Island would be the perfect place for you.
Timings for the activity – 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM
Price for scuba diving – Starting at Rs 1699 per person
2. Grande Island
Grande Island is fast emerging as one of the most popular spots for Scuba Diving not only in India, but the world over.
After a 10-minute boat ride from Bogmalo Beach, Grande Island is situated in the middle of the Arabian Sea.
The island boasts shallow waters that are beginner-friendly for Scuba diving enthusiasts. The aquatic life around the island is breathtaking with clear waters that attract tourists from all over.
Not only adventure enthusiasts but also marine life enthusiasts come here for a scuba diving adventure to observe marine life closely.
Timings for the activity – 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Price for scuba diving – Starting at Rs 1699 per person
3. Nagoa
Nagoa is another well-known spot for Scuba Diving in Goa. Nagoa is popular due to its unique variety of aquatic animals and plant life.
Lying 11 km North of South Goa, Nagoa is most visited by tourists due to its clear waters and breathtaking coves that provide perfect opportunities for Scuba Diving.
You might also find Nagoa less populated if you are looking for a quiet place to Scuba dive.
Timings for the activity – 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Price for scuba diving – Starting at Rs 5000 per person
4. Uma Guva Reef
Uma Guva Reef, famous for its exotic marine species, is a very popular scuba diving destination in Goa. The reef lies in the vicinity of the Grande Island.
Famous for its clean waters, Uma Guva Reef offers a deep touch of nature for every scuba diving enthusiast as well as a brush with history.
The site houses an ancient anchor and discarded shells from warships which divers can come across during their dive.
The reef is inhabited and visited occasionally by exotic fishes like White tip reef sharks, needlefish, and snappers. Sea cucumbers and lobsters add to the wonder of the place.
Timings for the activity – 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Price for scuba diving – Starting at Rs 2500 per person
5. Calangute Beach
The queen beach of North Goa, Calangute beach, is popular for many reasons. Its exotic pubs, wonderful people, and water sports make it a must-visit destination in Goa. However, Scuba diving in Calangute is anotherworldly experience as well.
Lined by expert divers, the beach is a perfect spot for first-time divers. You can get the best experience with helpful guides teaching you to take your first step in the scuba diving experience.
Timings for the activity – 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Price for scuba diving – Starting at Rs 1799 per person
Also Read:- 10 Must-Visit Destinations near Calangute for Every Traveller’s Delight
6. Suzy’s Wreck
The naturalisation of a man-made wreck, Suzy’s wreck is marked by the wreckage of a British Ship SS Rita in the 1950s southwest of Grande Island.
The wreck has been inhabited by reef fishes like angelfish and Moorish Idol, making the reef out of the wreck.
Divers get a wreck diving experience here and get more than natural reefs to experience the force of nature.
The site is situated to the south of Grande Island providing shelter from strong currents and hence a perfect spot for scuba divers. You can even find rare fishes like stingrays and barracudas here.
Timings for the activity – 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Price for scuba diving – Starting at Rs 1500 per person
7. Turbo Tunnel
Hidden in the landscape of Goa, the way to turbo tunnel is an adventure in itself, exciting the divers for the adventure that lies ahead.
A wrecked anchor chain from Suzy’s wreck leads the way to Turbo Tunnel about 200 m away. The site is a rocky canyon decorated with sea urchins.
Water flows differently from the tunnel-like canyon taking fishes and aquatic life flowing out of it and the divers can enjoy the feeling of being carried along.
This underwater valley is a wonder of nature as well as a great spot for scuba diving enthusiasts.
Timings for the activity – 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Price for scuba diving – Starting at Rs 2500 per person
8. Malvan Island
Reached through a boat ride through rocky seas, Malvan Island is famous for its silky white sand beaches and shallow depth for scuba diving beginners. The Island offers a dive ranging from 5 m to 25 m.
Malvan is an offbeat destination as the beaches here aren’t as developed as at other places. This implies less crowd and hence a serene beauty.
The beach offers a breathtaking view of the mountains, thrilling water sports and wonderful eateries. Long beaches offering an unbothered solitude, Malvan is an out-of-the-world experience for any beach activity in Goa.
Timings for the activity – 6:30 AM to 7:00 PM
Price for scuba diving – Starting at Rs 2500 per person
9. Coral Garden
The shallow pool, housing a whole colony of corals and a view that soothes the sight, Coral Garden lives up to its name. The site houses a variety of coral species like cabbage coral, plate coral and soft coral.
Starting from a depth of 3 m, the water here goes down as deep as 12 m. The site is sheltered inside a bay and hence offers calm waters for scuba diving.
Being a rich source of biodiversity, environment enthusiasts are often found here getting their heartful of aquatic wonder. You can also take home with you pictures and videos of the heaven below water.
Timings for the activity – 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Price for scuba diving – Starting at Rs 2000 per person
10. Sail Rock
A big rock housing whole colonies of corals and sloping down up to a depth of 20 m, Sail Rock is an overwhelming experience even for expert divers.
The strong currents lead to large predators including red-tooth triggerfish and gigantic groupers hanging around the area.
The site is a challenging dive, however, offering a feeling of victory and fulfilment. However, only expert divers are advised to brave the currents to bite into the experience.
Timings for the activity – 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Price for scuba diving – Starting at Rs 3000 per person
Also Read:- Splash into Adventure with Water Sports in Mumbai
Things to Keep in Mind While Scuba Diving in Goa
- Avoid eating a meal before scuba diving and if you have eaten something, wait for at least two hours before diving into the water
- You would only be allowed to Scuba dive if you have clear medical records. People with a medical history may not be allowed to Scuba Dive.
- Always make sure to get a certified instructor.
- Do not take substances like alcohol or drugs before the dive as it might prove fatal.
- Make sure to demand a video or photos of your dive as it is always included with the diving package.
- Always ensure that your instructors take you to the right spot for diving as it has been found that other spots have been passed on as your desired spot.
FAQs
- How much does scuba diving cost in Goa?
- The packages would start at around Rs 1699 per person and may go as high as Rs 5000 per person. The cost depends on the duration of the dive and the location you choose. You can increase your dive time by paying more.
- What month should I go scuba diving in Goa?
- The months of October to April are considered best for Scuba diving in any location in Goa. The rains have subsided and the weather has become calm and tourist-friendly. Arabian Sea also is less turbulent hence providing the best experience.
- Is Goa good for scuba diving?
- With a long shoreline, clear waters and countless training institutes near the shore, Goa is one of the best places for Scuba diving. The weather is favourable, beaches are beautiful and are in abundance and water sports are available at a very affordable price.
- Scuba diving in Goa which beach?
- Many beaches like Baga Beach, Calangute Beach and Chivla Beach Malva are some of the best beaches where you can enjoy Scuba diving in Goa as well as other water sports and mouthwatering food.
- Scuba diving in Goa age limit?
- Any person below the age of 10 cannot participate in scuba diving in Goa.
- Best time for scuba diving in Goa?
- It is experienced that diving in the evening is a beautiful experience for scuba divers in Goa. The hazy light filtering through the water in the absence of peak sunlight lends the view below the water an otherworldly look.
- Are non-swimmers allowed to do scuba diving in Goa?
- Yes, even non-swimmers are allowed to do scuba diving in Goa. The training before the dive teaches one the nuances and tricks of diving even without swimming experience. However, non-swimmers cannot venture to challenging sites and the depth of water is shallow for their dive.