Havelock Island, nestled in the pristine waters of the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, is a scuba diver's utopia. Its underwater landscapes, teeming marine life, and diverse dive sites make it a magnet for diving enthusiasts of all levels. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve deep into the allure of each dive site around Havelock Island, providing vivid descriptions and essential details to help you plan your underwater adventure.

1. Johnny's Gorge

• Level: Advanced
• Maximum Depth: 20-34 meters
• Distance from Havelock: 18.5 kilometers
• Location: Eastern Waters of Havelock
• Topography: Deep Circular Reef
• Notable Sightings: Reef fish, schools of snappers, sweetlips, fusiliers, sharks, rays

Dive Description: Johnny's Gorge stands out as the undisputed favorite among Havelock's dive sites, thanks to one word—SHARKS! This deep circular reef hosts shy white-tip reef sharks and various rays, often spotted resting on the sandy ocean floor. Encountering these mesmerizing creatures in their natural habitat is a heart-pounding experience for advanced divers.

2. Dixon's Pinnacles

• Level: Advanced
• Maximum Depth: 16-35 meters
• Distance from Havelock: 19 kilometers
• Location: Eastern Waters of Havelock
• Topography: Three Deep Pinnacles
• Notable Sightings: Reef fish, schools of snappers, giant groupers, turtles, surgeon fish, trevally

Dive Description: Prepare to be mesmerized at Dixon's Pinnacles, one of Havelock's iconic dive sites that could easily belong to an action movie set. These pinnacles, more than just a stunning sight, also serve as cleaning stations for marine life. Covered in vibrant yellow soft corals, they attract schools of colorful surgeon fish, bat fish, glass fish, banner fish, and juvenile emperor angel fish. While giants like giant trevally and barracuda patrol the upper waters, closer to the seabed, you'll meet the resident families of napoleon wrasse among thriving schools of bengal and paddle tail snappers.

3. Jackson's Bar

• Level: Advanced
• Maximum Depth: 25-35 meters
• Distance from Havelock: 19 kilometers
• Location: North-Eastern Waters of Havelock
• Topography: Deep Reef
• Notable Sightings: Reef fish, schools of snappers and fusiliers, sharks, Kuhls Sting Ray, soft coral

Dive Description: Completing the holy trinity of must-see dive sites alongside Dixon's Pinnacles and Johnny's Gorge, Jackson's Bar promises a thrilling and challenging dive. Its unique location, characterized by strong currents running perpendicular to the site, attracts pelagic species and adventure-seeking divers. Glide over the sandy bottom where stingrays soar gracefully like birds in flight. Explore a flat rocky shelf adorned with exquisite coral formations, sloping down to sandy depths below 30 meters. Here, you'll be welcomed by vast schools of bengal snappers, barracudas, Andaman sweetlips, and tuna.

4. The Wall

• Level: Beginner-Intermediate
• Maximum Depth: 10-55 meters
• Distance from Havelock: 3.5 kilometers
• Location: North-Western Waters of Havelock
• Topography: Deep Wall
• Notable Sightings: Reef fish, oriental sweetlips, octopus, scorpion fish, hunting pelagics

Dive Description: Positioned in the channel between Havelock and Peel islands, The Wall ranks among Havelock's most enigmatic and sought-after dive sites. Its sloping wall-like structure starts at a mere 10 meters and plunges dramatically to 55 meters on one side. This diversity caters to divers of all levels and preferences, promising an equally enriching experience. Dive among octopus, scorpion fish, giant puffer fish, a captivating array of sea slugs, and a sociable napoleon wrasse affectionately named Pierre. The ever-changing tides and currents bring forth schools of relentless hunters like dog tooth tuna, trevally, and barracuda.

5. Pilot Reef

• Level: Beginner-Intermediate
• Maximum Depth: 5-20 meters
• Distance from Havelock: 4.7 kilometers
• Location: South-Western Waters of Havelock
• Topography: Large Flat Reef
• Notable Sightings: Leopard sharks, marble rays, colorful reef fish, coral

Dive Description: Pilot Reef offers a delightful underwater encounter, often graced by a family of resident leopard sharks, occasionally found lazing on the sandy banks alongside magnificent marble rays. Situated near the entrance of the shipping channel, this extensive flat reef boasts a vibrant community of colorful reef fish and exquisite coral formations. Whether you're a beginner or an intermediate diver, this site has much to offer.

6. SS Inchket

• Level: Intermediate-Advanced
• Maximum Depth: 12-18 meters
• Distance from Havelock: 7 kilometers
• Location: North-Western Waters of Havelock
• Topography: Shipwreck
• Notable Sightings: Shipwreck, reef fish, marine life

Dive Description: There's an intriguing spookiness associated with exploring a sunken shipwreck, and SS Inchkett stands as one of the Andamans' finest wrecks. Descend into the depths to witness the mesmerizing transformation of this colossal man-made structure into an aquatic haven for diverse fish and coral species. This dive promises a captivating glimpse into the underwater world of history and nature intertwined.

7. Minerva

• Level: Intermediate-Advanced
• Maximum Depth: 10-25 meters
• Distance from Havelock: 12 kilometers
• Location: North-Western Waters of Havelock
• Topography: Coral Gardens, Reef

Dive Description: Minerva is a sprawling underwater paradise, boasting extensive coral gardens that embrace nearly every species of marine flora and fauna native to the Andamans. Witness a breathtaking display of colorful coral formations, with large schools of fusiliers, snapper, surgeon fish, unicorn fish, trevally, and barracuda elegantly parading above. This captivating dive site will leave you yearning for more, with its rich marine tapestry.

 

8. M4

 

• Level: Beginner-Intermediate
• Maximum Depth: 5-15 meters
• Distance from Havelock: 4.6 kilometers
• Location: South-Eastern Waters of Havelock
• Topography: Sandy Bottom, Main Reef
• Notable Sightings: Stingrays, leopard rays, marble rays, reef fish, Leopard groupers, Harlequin sweetlips, octopus, Dancing shrimp

Dive Description: M4, also known as Ray City, beckons ray enthusiasts with its abundant presence of stingrays, leopard rays, and marble rays that rule the sandy banks alongside the extensive main reef. The relatively shallow depths make it an ideal site for both beginner and intermediate divers. Explore the lively reef, encounter resident Leopard groupers, Harlequin sweetlips, octopus, and even the whimsical Dancing shrimp.

9. The Slope

• Level: Beginner-Intermediate
• Maximum Depth: 5-20 meters
• Distance from Havelock: 4.4 kilometers
• Location: South-Eastern Waters of Havelock
• Topography: Sloping Seabed
• Notable Sightings: Diverse marine life, sea whips

Dive Description: The Slope promises an enchanting sensory experience, catering not only to beginners but also to seasoned divers. Beginning at a shallow 5 meters, it gradually descends to depths exceeding 20 meters, leading to the adjoining Wall. As you glide through a surreal field of sea whips, the underwater world comes alive. The dive at Slope is akin to a cinematic journey through an underwater wonderland.

10. Nemo Reef

• Level: Beginner
• Maximum Depth: 5-12 meters
• Distance from Havelock: 3.2 kilometers
• Location: South-Eastern Waters of Havelock
• Topography: Shallow Reef
• Notable Sightings: Clownfish, reef fish, vibrant corals

Dive Description: Nemo Reef, Havelock's own aquatic haven, welcomes novice divers with open arms. This sheltered bay provides the perfect setting for confined water training and introductory dive experiences. With minimal currents and crystal-clear visibility year-round, it's akin to swimming in a tranquil pool. Here, you'll find clownfish, colorful reef fish, and a mesmerizing array of vibrant corals, making it the ideal spot for newbies to take their first plunge into the scuba diving world.

11. Purple Haze

• Level: Intermediate
• Maximum Depth: 10-18 meters
• Distance from Havelock: 5.5 kilometers
• Location: South-Eastern Waters of Havelock
• Topography: Colorful Reef
• Notable Sightings: Red gorgonians, purple soft coral, fusiliers, octopus, mantis shrimp

Dive Description: Purple Haze is an underwater enigma, promising surprises with every descent. This quaint, colorful reef is adorned with stunning red gorgonians and swaying purple soft corals. Shoals of fusiliers cascade around you like a gentle rain. Dive into a game of hide-and-seek with curious octopuses or lose yourself in the mesmerizing gaze of a peacock mantis shrimp. This dive site will keep you intrigued and captivated throughout your underwater journey.

12. Turtle Beach

• Level: Beginner
• Maximum Depth: 5-10 meters
• Distance from Havelock: 6 kilometers
• Location: South-Eastern Waters of Havelock
• Topography: Shallow Fringing Reef
• Notable Sightings: Turtles, live hard coral, reef fish

Dive Description: Turtle Beach, named after its historical significance as a nesting site for turtles, offers a delightful experience for beginner divers. This shallow fringing reef is enveloped by brilliant blue waters and boasts some of the most exquisite live hard coral formations around Havelock. It's an excellent site for novice divers, providing a blend of shallow and deep areas to explore.

13. Pilot Reef

• Level: Beginner-Intermediate
• Maximum Depth: 5-15 meters
• Distance from Havelock: 4.7 kilometers
• Location: South-Western Waters of Havelock
• Topography: Large Flat Reef
• Notable Sightings: Leopard sharks, marble rays, colorful reef fish, coral

Dive Description: Pilot Reef is celebrated for its resident family of leopard sharks, occasionally spotted relaxing on the sandy banks alongside majestic marble rays. Situated near the entrance of the shipping channel, this extensive flat reef houses a vibrant community of colorful reef fish and stunning coral formations. Whether you're a beginner or an intermediate diver, this site offers a memorable underwater adventure.

As you plan your diving expedition around Havelock Island, consider the diverse range of sites available. From beginner-friendly locations to advanced underwater realms, Havelock offers a tapestry of underwater wonders waiting to be explored. Each dive site has its own unique charm and marine life, promising an unforgettable experience beneath the waves. Dive in, and let the enchanting world beneath the surface captivate your senses and leave you with cherished memories of Havelock's underwater treasures.