Night Diving in Andaman – A Magical Experience 

Night diving doesn't mean diving in the darkness but it's about witnessing marine life behaviour that will never be seen during the day. The Andaman Islands offer some of the most pristine coral reefs and incredible marine life and witnessing them during dark hours is like vibrant underwater scene into a surreal and a dream like world.

Night diving in Andaman is the best way to witness nocturnal creatures like crustaceans and moray eels that come out to hunt at night. Night diving in the Andaman is suitable for underwater photographers, experienced divers, and adventure travellers seeking something extraordinary. It delivers a rare opportunity to explore a new underwater world in the darkness.

The following are some of the best and safe night dive locations in Andaman.

1. Nemo Reef (Havelock Island): Nemo Reef is a shallow reef and one of the best night dive location in Andaman where night diving is frequently conducted. The reef is ideal for beginners, experienced, and night dive students to explore as coral polyps open up and tiny fluorescent creatures become visible during night dives. Nemo Reef is also a perfect gateway for macro photography and bioluminescence sightings. 

2. Tribe Gate (Havelock Island): Tribe Gate is another exciting night dive location lying 2 kilometres away from the shoreline and easily accessible via speedboats. The peaceful waters of the site offer thrilling night dive sessions, making it ideal to spot lobsters, cuttlefish, stingrays, and octopuses in the dark. 

The following are some incredible sightings of marine life during night dives.

Octopuses and Cuttlefish: These marine creatures are brilliant at camouflage, most active at night for hunting, and change colours & textures to deceive their prey.

Spanish Dancers: These are a kind of nudibranch, a large and graceful sea slug that resembles red colour in the water. They are nocturnal creatures and are usually seen during night dives.  

Crustaceans: Most crustaceans get active at night, including lobsters, crabs, and shrimps, crawling across the floor. 

Moray Eels: These marine animals are generally spotted hunting during night dives. 

Bioluminescence: It is a natural phenomenon called plankton that glows; it can be seen when disturbed on specific nights.

Yes, night diving is completely safe in Andaman, especially when conducted with certified dive schools like Seahawks Scuba, which follow international standards of PADI or SSI. Night dives are usually conducted in small groups under the supervision of professional dive instructors. Night divers are fully equipped with primary and backup torches, and pre-dive safety checks or briefings mainly focus on navigation and communication in the darkness.  

Certified divers: The cost of night diving to certified divers is INR 3500 rupees per person, per location. It includes all equipment rental, pickup and drop, and Instructor fees. 

Night dive students: Divers who are willing to learn night dive will cost INR 14000 rupees per person. It includes all equipment rental, 2 night dives, certification card, refreshments and boat transfer, dive logbook, pick up and drop off, and Instructor fees.

Relax and breathe slowly: Night dives are very peaceful, but you have to be relax and breathe slowly to adapt your brain to adjust in the dark environment. 

Stay close to your dive buddy: Don't go too far from your dive buddy, stay close and maintain communication with torch and hand signals. 

Maintain your buoyancy and navigation: It is crucial to maintain your underwater buoyancy and navigation to avoid the risk of damaging corals and to loose your dive path.

Don't shine torch lights directly to the eyes of your dive buddy and marine animals.