GATE/IO

The short answer to this is No. You don’t exactly need how to swim to be able to scuba dive. But it does help to know swim. Since you are trained in swimming, you’d be able to better control the air pressure while diving as you’ll have good control over your breath. You’ll also be able to glide underwater effortlessly. Nonetheless, it doesn’t matter how expert a swimmer you are, if you are a beginner in scuba diving, you still need a guide to help you explore the underwater world. Scuba diving is different from swimming, and you’d need a guide to help you understand the techniques.

Unless you are an expert scuba diver, you always need training before you scuba dive. Anyone other than a professional diver needs a guide to dive underwater since you’d be going deep into the water. Most training sessions for scuba diving last up to 2 hours. You must choose a good diving centre to help with your training. You’ll mostly get tips and tricks to control your breath under the water. You’ll also receive instructions about the various things you should or should not do once inside. For example, you should not touch any fauna or coral reefs when you are scuba diving. You should also always be close to the instructor once inside the water.

Absolutely, yes. There are various scuba certifications you can get if you know how to swim. Training for scuba certifications takes at least 2-4 days depending on your level and the place. Many diving centres offer scuba diving certifications. The cost of training will be separate from the diving itself. With scuba diving certifications, you can explore many unexplored underwater territories in the world. Plus, wouldn’t it be great to show off your scuba diving skills to your friends?

While there are many places in India like Kerala and Goa where you can scuba dive, the Andaman Islands are the best place to dive mainly. Because the water is so clear, you can explore many massive coral reefs and a variety of fauna in the Andamans. Lighthouse and Aquarium are two very popular sites to dive in the Andaman Islands. Wouldn’t you love to swim side by side with rays and sea turtles? Around the world, many famous as well as hidden places are perfect for a dive. Bali, Belize, Sipadan Island, Galapagos, the Simiran and Surin Islands in Thailand, Australia, the Philippines, Maldives, and are some places in the world with the best diving spots.

Scuba diving is a very exciting water sport and attracts a lot of people worldwide. However, scuba diving cost in Andaman is still not very high. It could cost you anything between INR 2500 to INR 6500 to scuba dive in Andaman, India. Of course, that depends on the diving center, the spot, and the gear you will be using. One of the most important factors may be the timing of your dive. The cost of many water sports activities is usually low during the off season as many diving centers offer discounts.

Each scuba diving session lasts for around 30 to 45 minutes. This timeframe applies to everyone irrespective of whether you are a trained or beginner diver. The air pressure under the water and a limit to how much oxygen you can carry in your tank restrict the time to 45 minutes for everyone.

While scuba diving is open for everyone, people with severe respiratory issues like Asthma or heart patients are usually advised not to scuba dive. If you have any of these issues, you can speak to your doctor and ask them if you are cleared for a dive. Pregnant women also cannot scuba dive. Scuba diving, however, has no age limit. Anyone from the age of 10 to their 70s can dive. Of course, this also depends on whether the diving centre you have chosen allows for it.

Do not give up on scuba diving just because you have poor eyesight. The problem with poor eyesight is that you cannot wear your regular prescription glasses underwater, and without your glasses how will you see the incredibly beautiful world of water? Don’t worry, there’s a solution for everything. You can either wear a contact lens or get a powered prescription scuba mask. You’d have to speak to the instructors of the diving centre beforehand for the prescription mask.

While you can take flights before and after a flight, you should always keep a gap of 18-24 hours after scuba diving. This is because the air pressure inside an aircraft decreases as the altitude increases. The nitrogen bubbles formed after diving need to decompress slowly; however, flying can make the process faster. This may be painful for your body and in certain cases even be fatal. Not just flying, you should even do high-altitude trekking right after diving.

While the rules for scuba diving are relaxed, there are certain things you should keep in mind to ensure that you have a good diving experience. For instance, you should not have a heavy meal right before diving. You should avoid alcohol before diving. Another important rule is that you should not dive if you have a cold or fever. While you will not exactly be barred from diving if you have a cold, the air pressure under water may block your sinuses and you face difficulty in equalising air pressure. This may result in a lot of pain in your ear.

Answer: Some of the best spots for scuba diving in Andaman Islands, India are as follows:

• Kalipur
• Neil Island
• South Button
• Elephant Beach
• Tamarind Cam

Answer: Scuba Diving in the Andamans is absolutely safe for everyone, including beginners. Whether you are a kid or an adult, anybody can enjoy snorkeling by exploring the underwater world of the island. There will be trained professionals to take care of you at every step.

Answer: Yes, snorkeling is safe for you even if you don’t know swimming. An instructor will be there with you with whom you will be learning the basics. Anyone can go for this enthralling activity when in the Andamans.

Answer: Mask, snorkel, and fins are the essentials for this exciting water activity. You can bring your own gear for a proper and comfortable fit. However, you can take these on rent as well. If you want to capture the serendipitous moments of your underwater adventure, then don’t forget to bring an underwater camera. Also, if you decide to stay in the water for a longer period of time, then you will need to wear a wet suit.

Answer: This typically depends on the area. There are some places that have a reef right off the beach. So you don’t have to travel far to reach the snorkel site. A land-based trip will suffice in case you only want to get to a specific snorkeling location. However, there are many areas that are so spread out and vast that you will be requiring a boat to reach there.

Answer: The Andaman Islands is a year-round destination. However, the winter season, i.e., from November to May, is considered the best time to go scuba diving. It is the ideal time for sightseeing and indulging in exciting water sports as the temperature during these months ranges between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius.

Answer: Some of the tips for snorkelling are explained below:

• Ensure that you book your slot for snorkelling well in advance with a trustworthy diving centre in order to avoid any last-minute hassle. Located in Havelock Island, Dive Andaman is a reliable name across the island and it will make all your bookings. 
• Before going into the water, check your snorkelling equipment property. Change it immediately if it is not comfortable even a little bit. Otherwise, it may cause you trouble and you may panic under the water. 
• Learn all the methods and gestures properly in your training session. Make sure that you learn about the usage of the equipment. 
• Make sure that you have not eaten anything for the last four hours in order to avoid underwater sickness.
• A number of snorkelling packages are available as per your budget and requirements. Select the one suiting your convenience.

Answer: Snorkeling is an adventurous water activity that lets you explore the lovely underwater world. The best thing is that it can be performed by non-swimmers as well. Whether you want to do it alone or with friends and family members, it is an amazing way to spend some quality time in the Andaman Islands with your near and dear ones. You need to get into the water and go inside to observe the fascinating marine life and corals of the island. Just wear fins, a mask, and a snorkel. Wear a protective suit in case you want to swim closer to the ocean floor.

Snorkeling in the Andaman Islands is going to be a mesmerizing experience for you if you have the right equipment. As soon as you get into the water, you can start snorkelling. An additional benefit is that this water activity lets you burn your calories as well. It is a great experience for your island vacation and you are going to cherish it for the rest of your life.