Reef
down to 16 m
Nemo Reef
A sheltered shore-entry bay averaging about 8 m with very little current, where frogfish and octopus live on the reef.
- Open Water
- Frogfish
Andaman Islands (Havelock & Neil)
Diving in India
11 documented dive sites, 4 of them for Open Water divers. Known for manta rays, whitetip reef sharks and turtles.
- Best months
- Dec–Mar
- Water
- 26–29 °C
- Levels
- Open Water, Advanced, Experienced
- Nearest airport
- IXZ
When to go
Pick a month: the diving season, from published sources, and the typical weather.
Pick a month
- Best
- Good
- Possible
- Closed
- Not documented yet
Andaman Islands (Havelock & Neil) in October
Good season- Sea
- 29 °C
- at the surface
- Air
- 29 °C
- 25 °C at night
- Rain
- 320 mm
- one of the wettest months
- Wind
- 12 km/h
- on average
The coolest water of the year.
Typical weather, not a forecast: averages for 2021–2025 (air, rain, wind) and 2023–2025 (sea), data from Open-Meteo (ERA5 / Copernicus, Météo-France). Covers an area of roughly 10 to 25 km around the destination.
Season October–May, peak December–March (PADI, Hans India). June–September southwest monsoon: rough seas, boat trips cancelled at short notice, operations limited but not formally closed (Rough Guides: Ocean Tribe dives in monsoon for experienced divers; private-scuba: diving still available at selected sites). These months are therefore shown as possible, not closed. October and May are shown as good: the season reopens in October (private-scuba says 'end of October'), and private-scuba advises avoiding the area when the May monsoon arrives. Rough Guides' dive operator prefers February–May.
Dive sites in Andaman Islands (Havelock & Neil)
From the easiest to the most demanding. Levels with a dashed outline are estimates we are still verifying.
Open Water friendly
usual dive down to 18 m4 sitesReef
down to 14 m
Aquarium (Havelock)
A shallow reef off Havelock, 14 m at most, where nudibranchs, humphead parrotfish and Jenkins rays are logged.
- Open Water
- Stingrays
Reef
down to 15 m
Tribe Gate
A reef off Havelock, 15 m at most, where dugong, octopus and humphead parrotfish have been logged.
- Open Water
- Dugong
Reef
down to 12 m
Aquarium (Neil)
- Open Water
- Dugong
For Advanced divers
usual dive down to 30 m4 sitesPinnacle
down to 40 m
Dixon's Pinnacle
Three large pinnacles where barracuda, giant trevally, giant groupers and tuna patrol the blue.
- Advanced
- Whale sharks
For experienced divers
usual dive down to 40 m3 sitesReef
down to 34 m
The Junction (Neil)
Rock formations covered in coloured soft corals at 28–34 m, swept by strong eastward currents.
- Experienced
- Manta rays
Marine life
When the big encounters happen, month by month.
Reported here, season not documented yet:
- Manta rays
- Whitetip reef sharks
- Turtles
- Eagle rays
- Stingrays
- Barracuda
- Trevally
- Nudibranchs
- Bumphead parrotfish
- Groupers
- Napoleon wrasse
- Sea snakes
- Whale sharks
- Leopard (zebra) sharks
- Tiger sharks
- Dugong
- Mobula rays
- Tuna
- Frogfish
- Ghost pipefish
Where is Andaman Islands (Havelock & Neil)?
- Nearest airport
- IXZ
Andaman Islands (Havelock & Neil): frequently asked questions
- When is the best time to dive Andaman Islands (Havelock & Neil)?
- The best months to dive Andaman Islands (Havelock & Neil) are Dec–Mar. Season October–May, peak December–March (PADI, Hans India). June–September southwest monsoon: rough seas, boat trips cancelled at short notice, operations limited but not formally closed (Rough Guides: Ocean Tribe dives in monsoon for experienced divers; private-scuba: diving still available at selected sites). These months are therefore shown as possible, not closed. October and May are shown as good: the season reopens in October (private-scuba says 'end of October'), and private-scuba advises avoiding the area when the May monsoon arrives. Rough Guides' dive operator prefers February–May.
- Is Andaman Islands (Havelock & Neil) good for beginner divers?
- Yes, partly: 4 of the 11 dive sites we document are suited to Open Water divers, including Nemo Reef, Aquarium (Havelock) and Tribe Gate. The others need more experience or a higher certification.
- What is the water temperature in Andaman Islands (Havelock & Neil)?
- The water is usually between 26 °C and 29 °C over the year.
- What marine life can you see in Andaman Islands (Havelock & Neil)?
- Divers regularly see manta rays, whitetip reef sharks, turtles, eagle rays, stingrays and barracuda.
- How do you dive Andaman Islands (Havelock & Neil)?
- The nearest airport is IXZ.
About this page
Seasons and marine life come from the sources below. Site levels and depths marked as estimated come from our original catalogue and are being checked one by one. Conditions change: always confirm with a local dive centre.
Your next dive is somewhere out there.
Find my next dive tripPhoto credits
- Sunlight and bubbles in deep blue water, Sarah Lee, Unsplash License, on Unsplash