Visit our islands series-3

Andaman and Nicobar

SCUBA DIVING THE USP OF ANDAMANS

Scuba diving

("scuba" is the acronym

for Self Contained Underwater

Breathing Apparatus) is a form of underwater diving in which a diver uses a scuba set to breathe underwater for recreation, commercial or industrial reasons.

Unlike early diving, which relied exclusively on air pumped from the surface, scuba divers carry their own source of breathing gas (usually compressed air), allowing them greater freedom than with an air line. Both surface supplied and scuba diving allow divers to stay underwater significantly longer than with breath-holding techniques as used in snorkeling and free-diving.

According to the purpose of the dive, a diver usually moves underwater by swim fins attached to the feet, but external propulsion can come from an underwater vehicle, or a sled pulled from the surface.

VENTURE INTO DIVING

For adventure lovers there is no greater adventure than diving. Whether one is a novice or one had been diving to fathoms, there is always something new, fascinating or challenging about venturing into the adventurous and water world. Your mind could be mesmerized by clouds of colorful fishes, your curiosity aroused by the mysterious remains of sunken ships or your creativity invoked by the art of underwater photography. Ones diving interest may range from a casual pastime pursued on vacation to a constant passion or even a professional career. Diving offers something new for everyone.

DIVING IN ANDAMANS
Diving in Andaman and Nicobar islands is a unique life time experience. The costal belt surrounding these islands is abode of one of the richest coral reef ecosystem in the world. The distinction is that, here the coral reefs and underwater formations are undestructed by human activities. The best season for diving is considered between December and April.

Many of the islands here are surrounded by reef fringes, often several hundred meters wide and separated from the shore by a lagoon of even width. There are also to be found steeply sloping reef- walls and coral pinnacles or knolls. Divers can also come across steeply undulating hills of raven volcanic lava, which adequately compensates for some unusual diving. There are abundant sharp sloping and shallow reefs suitable for snorkeling.

Large Pelagics are a plenty in these waters, as are a variety of sharks. Large schools of Hammerhead sharks often patrol these waters away from the reefs and Grey, Whitetip, Nurse and Leopard sharks are often found closer inshore. Silvertip and Ocean Whitetips also at times appears out of the deep blue beyond. Enormous Manta Rays also provide glimpse quite often.

DIVE SITES NEAR SOUTH ANDAMAN

Cinque Island: One of the best dive destinations in the island, it has clear emerald water with a visibility of upto 80 feet. Deep dive here offers a kaleidoscopic variety of marine life, including black coral, sighting of sharks and is the ideal grounds for the experienced diver. North Point: This site at Cinque Island is mostly highlighted by sponges and small corals and offers good diving scope because of the abundance and diversity of fish life. Southeast reef at Cinque Island is a good outing site for novices. The southeast part of the reef consists of hard and soft corals and these are very dense on the rocks down to about 16 meters (53 feet). Fish Rock: This site near Passage Island offers an extremely kaleidoscopic dive. The topography consists of rocky slops, boulders and drop-offs, featuring large fan of corals and sponges aplenty. Below 25 meters, the rocks are covered in small bushy soft corals in innumerable hues. Hard corals are not so evident here. Grey and Whitetip Reef Sharks are almost always in the vicinity as are Nurse Sharks. Besides, the rest of marine life are Eagle Rays, Potato Cod, large Coral Groupers, Fusiliers, Sweetlips, Turtles, Bat Fish, 3

Bumphead, Parrotfish, Squirefish, Curiors and friendly oriental Sweetlips, Surgeon fish, Yellow Tangs, Trigger fish, Tuna, Rainbow Runners and several species of trevally. Bala Reef: This reef spreads on the western side of Little Andaman over 4.5 sq. Km and is supposed to be one of the ideal sites in the Andamans for corals of vibrant colors. Corruption Rock: The corruption Rock juts out between Chidiatapu and Rutland Island. The dive site is on the western side of the rock and is made up of big underwater boulders. The corals here are not that brilliant but the craggy undersea landscape of boulders is astonishing. A fantasy wonderland of gullies, channels, ridges and canyons awaits here. One can look out for giant Napoleons and Eagle Rays, giant Snappers, schooling Fusiliers, Banner and Unicorn fishes, Dolphins, Tuna and Reef Sharks can also be sighed here.

Rutland Island: The shallow waters near this island have a good representation of many smaller fish and corals, which offer a good spot for training open water diving. A shipwreck site also hails here. Snake Island: This is off Carbyns Cove Beach. The site has awesome rock faces and spectacular dive capes. Marine life around here includes generally Trigger fish, Grunts, Goatfish and Rays. Havelock Island: This island is approximately 50 Km away from Port Blair by location. There is a spectrum of largely unexplored dive sites which are wealthy in underwater marine life.

DIVE SITES AROUND HAVELOCK ISLAND

Mac Point has mostly hard corals and their inhabitants are found around. Generally good visibility, where Dugongs too have been sighted. Aquarium is a fringing reef crowded with lots of Fish Traffic. Usually clear visibility and has mainly hard corals. 4

Barracuda City is basically suitable for inexperienced divers which offer tons of fish and at times turtles also. It has a blend of hard and some soft corals. Turtle Bay has a pleasant dive site and is easy diving here not exceeding 14 meters. Rays are found in the sand below and also turtles. Seduction Point is a huge rock with a variety of aquatic life. Napoleons can be caught sight of. The shallow area is abundant with Stag horn corals and its inhabitants. Lighthouse is a larger dive site affording equal opportunity for any kind of dive. It is also perfect for night dives. It has a huge variety of soft and hard corals. The Wall is a gigantic submerged rock. The Wall drops down to a maximum of 55 meters and is active with marine life. Dense forests of soft corals and added schools of fishes encircling, makes you hay with memorable dive.

Pilot Reef near Havelock is a high block of pristine hard corals. At the bottom, about 24 meters, Canyons are stretched out and Leopard and Whitetip sharks could also be confronted here. Minerva Ledge at Havelock is an even bigger block of hard corals. Congregation of fishes and normally clear visibility and possibilities of viewing sharks quite often makes it one of the top dive sites. Campbell Shoal off North Button Island- The bottom of this site is mainly covered by hard corals, with sporadic sandy patches which host a multitude of reef marine life, including Whitetip Reef Sharks, large Cod and Groupers. Coral trout, Blue and Goldenbanded fusiliers, Giant Trevally and Bands of Reef fish also home here.

Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Wandoor-

Scores of

colorful varieties of coral reef fishes can be witnessed in the park. They include Clownfish, Butterfly fish, Surgeon Fish, Angel Fish, Parrot Fish, Bat Fish and Groupers. 5

Whitetip Shark, Hammerhead Shark, Manta Ray and Blue Fin Jack could also be spotted at times. More than 50 types of corals have been identified in the fringing type of coral reefs in this park. Some distinct coral varieties found here are Acropora, Pocillopora, Montipora, Leptoseris, Fungia, Portis, Tubipora and Gorgonians are few to name.

TIPS FOR DIVE TOURISTS

Best season for diving- December to April. Dive only in the areas opened/permitted for Scuba Diving by the A&N Administration. Do not dive with unqualified/unregistered dive operator as it may be perilous to your life. Avail the services of Scuba Dive instructors having certification of International Organization like PADI, CMAS, NAUI, BSAC or SSI for safe diving. Details about approve Scuba Dive Centres, list of areas/sites permitted by the Administration for Scuba Diving and the terms and conditions for operating Scuba Dive Centre in Andamans could be seen in www.and.nic.in/newtourism The Decompression chamber facility is available at Clearance Diving Unit, Navy, Port Blair, Tel: 232871.Another decompression chamber is almost ready in the Govt.G.B Pant Hospital- Port Blair .(Please check out.Tel:232564,234941) Do not stand or walk on coral reefs. Do not break the live coral or collect dead corals. Do not enter the National Parks without valid permission. Any person committing breach of any of the above laid down conditions of the Wildlife Protection shall be liable for punishment as per law.

SAFETY TIPS IN GENERAL FOR SEA- ENTHUSIASTS

Andaman & Nicobar Islands have many sandy beaches and coral reefs. But only some of these beaches are supervised for safe swimming, snorkeling and diving. Though

Andaman water is generally safe for swimming and looks inviting, it also has some potentially dangerous marine animals, which may come in conflict due to mistaken identity such as prey or to defend their territory. Though such incidences are very rare, 6

visitors are advised to observe following precautions for a safe and enriching swimming experience.

Dos:
Find safe swimming/ diving area from Tourist Information Centers / Local Tour Operators and Forest Department Staff. Protected Areas to avoid dangerous animals.
Look for the safety signs they help you to identify potential dangers. Ask a lifeguard on duty for some good advice on swimming conditions like

Do not swim in unpatrolled areas/

local currents, tides, visibility, and presence of dangerous marine creatures etc. The swimming conditions can change quickly. So seek prior advice from a lifesaver / man on guard before entering in water in an unpatrolled area
Get a friend to swim with you so that you can look out for each others safety

and get help, if needed. Children should always be supervised by an adult. Avoid swimming in dark. Raise your hand up for help if you get into trouble in the water. Stay calm and wave your arm for help.

Donts: Do not dangle arms or legs in the water during boat ride.
Do not swim under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Shiny jewellery or bright colored clothes resembles fins of small fishes and may attract predatory fishes. Avoid such accessory or clothing while swimming. If you have an open wound, please avoid swimming. Many predatory fishes are attracted to blood odour. Avoid diving /swimming amongst school of fishes. This may attract predatory fishes such as sharks. Avoid night swimming /diving.

Look out for harmful marine animals Salt water crocodiles: Normally present in creeks, mangrove areas, sheltered waters and mouths of the creeks. Please avoid swimming/diving in these areas. If

you spot crocodile, get ashore and alert authorities to avoid accidents. They also move large distances in open sea and can be found in coral reefs as well. b. Sea Snakes : Sea snakes are highly poisonous and are usually recognized by

their paddle like tail. They can be aggressive if handled or stepped on. Stay well away from them. c. Stone Fish : Present in shallow coral and rocks or camouflaged in mud and sand. It has venomous dorsal spines and its sting could be lethal. To avoid sting never walk on coral reef area. Never lift rocks or corals. Wear sturdy sandal while walking in shallow coastal waters. d. Sharks : Normally present in open sea and some parts of coral reef areas.

Avoid swimming/diving alone and dont enter water with open wounds. e. Jelly Fishes : Their sting may cause pain and giddiness. Dont touch or play

with them. Get ashore if you see large school of Jelly Fish. In case of sting, apply vinegar/ice pack and do not rub.

RESPONSIBLE DIVING
Avoid Careless anchoring: Responsible divers anchor only when there are no permanent mooring buoys to tie to. Never drop anchor onto, or even close to, living corals. Careful anchoring means placing the anchor in sand patches or channels or other low impact areas. Anchor chains and ropes can crush corals as the boat swings with shifts in current and wind. An anchor which drags over a reef can cause severe damage. Divers and snorkelers should always check the anchor, moving it to a suitable area and securing it properly on arrival if necessary. Avoid Standing on corals: Many divers seem unaware of the fragile nature of corals and the problems caused when a diver stands, kneels or sits on corals. This either kills coral polyps or causes wounds in the delicate tissue making the coral vulnerable to infection. Infections can spread quickly and kill the entire coral colony. Find a patch of sand before standing up Dangling equipment: Badly trained divers drag their console and octopus regulator across of reef which snags coral in its path. When they get stuck, they are often pulled free

breaking off chunks of coral. Careless use of fins also results in damage to corals. On no account should divers or snorkellers collect live corals, shells or fish. Buoyancy control: Good diving technique is also important over reefs, for own safety and comfort and well being of the corals. Do not dive with too many weights and make sure you maintain good buoyancy control. Good buoyancy control is the easiest way to prevent damage to the reef. Badly trained divers tend to overweight themselves and compensate by inflating their buoyancy control devices (BCDs).They swim in the overweighed (head-high, legs down) attitude that causes their fins to mow down the corals as they swim over the reef. Photography: Even touching corals can wipe off the thin layer of mucus which protects them from bacterial infection. If you do have to steady yourself while taking underwater photography, think carefully about what you hold onto.

SCUBA DIVE OPERATORS IN ANDAMANS

Sl. No. 1. Name of the Dive Centre/shop at Havelock ANDAMAN DIVE CLUB Havelock No# 1 Email : info@andamandiveclub.com Web : www.diveindia.com Tel : +91-9474224171 DIVE INDIA Havelock No#5 Email : info@diveindia.com Web : www.diveindia.com Tel : + 91-3192-214247 BAREFOOT SCUBA Havelock No #3 Email : dive@barefootinida.com Web : www.diveindia.com Tel: +913192-282181, +91474263120 BLUE LAGOON Havelock NO#2 Email: divingandaman@gmail.com Web: www.divingandaman.com Tel: +91-9933274207, 9933201325, 9958603378 OCEAN PEARLDIVE RESORT Havelock NO#2 E-mail : Oceanpearldive@yahoo.in 9

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Web : dive-andaman.com Tel : +919933209905 ANDAMAN BUBBLES Havelock NO#5 Email : andamanbubbles@gmail.com Web : www.andamanbubbles.com Tel(0) : +913192-282140 Cell : +91-9474271295 LACADIVES DIVES CENTRE Silver Sand Beach Resort, Havelock NO#5 Email : Lacadives@gmail.com Web : www.lacadives@gmail.com Tel : +91-3192-214315

MORE INFORMATION:
1. Tourist Information Centre Directorate of Tourism, Andaman & Nicobar Administration Port Blair, 744 101 03192: 232694 / 232747(F) andaman_tourism@rediffmail.com http://tourism.andaman.nic.in Tourist Information Centre Directorate of Tourism Havelock Jetty

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3. The Chief Wildlife Warden, Andaman Nicobar islands, Van Sadan, Haddo, Port Blair. 03192: 233270 4. The Dy. Conservator of Forests (Wild Life) Haddo, Port Blair. 03192: 232816

USEFULL TELEPHONE NUMBERS IN HAVELOCK

1 2 3 4. Primary Health Centre& Ambulance Service Police Station Fire Brigade Divisional Forest Office 282382 282405 282400 282350

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5 6.

O/o The Assistant Engineer APWD Manager Dolphin Resort

282105 282444

MAPS Photos-10 Nos

DISCLAIMER

While every effort have been made to furnish the information in this booklet as accurate and reliable as possible, tourists are further advised to cross check for its authenticity/suitability to their liking from their own sources or from the concerned departments before taking any commercial decision thereof. The listing of Tourism Service Providers contained in this brochure does not indicate any sort of classification made or approval given or priority accorded by any authority or on the basis of selection made by any criteria whatsoever. The Directorate of Tourism do not own-up or entertain any responsibility, damage, claims, objections with regard to the contents published or inadvertently left out in this booklet from tourists or from tourism trade practioners or from any individual whatsoever. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Printed and published by the Directorate of Tourism, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, Port Blair
for free distribution to tourists. andamantourism.ipt@gmail.com Your suggestions are welcome .Do write to us to:

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