The best diving resorts in Andaman sit on Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep), where your bed, the house reef and a PADI dive centre are all on your doorstep. Barefoot Scuba on Beach No. 3, Gypsy Divers on Beach No. 2 and Havelock Island Beach Resort near Radhanagar top the list.
Suggested Read: Sea walk in Andaman and Game fishing in Andaman
Why stay at a dive resort in Andaman?
A dive resort puts your bed, your dive centre and the boat jetty in the same place. You skip the daily taxi run, you dive more in less time, and the staff know the tide charts, the site conditions and which reef is clear on any given morning. On Havelock the difference is real: dive boats leave early, and a five minute walk to the shop beats a twenty minute scooter ride when you are half asleep at 6 am.
All three resorts below run their own PADI centres and their own boats, so you are not depending on a third party operator for pickups or slots. That is the single biggest reason serious divers book a resort with diving built in rather than a plain beach hotel.
See our full guide to scuba diving in the Andaman Islands, the scuba diving course in Andaman, and how to reach Andaman.
What are the best diving resorts in Andaman?
Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) holds the top dive resorts because the island sits closest to the marquee sites, from the easy coral of Nemo Reef to the deep pinnacles offshore. Here are three that divers come back to, each with a different budget and mood.
1. Barefoot Scuba Resort, Beach No. 3
Barefoot Scuba is the grandparent of Andaman diving. It opened in 2005 as the islands’ first PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Centre, and it still runs the widest ladder of training, from Discover Scuba Diving right up to Instructor level. The resort sits off Beach No. 3 in Govind Nagar, and the dive boats push off straight from that beach each morning.
The centre is properly kitted out: six speedboats built for diving, an on site air filling station and equipment servicing, plus a library and classroom for the theory sessions. Rooms are reserved for guests who dive or snorkel with them, so the whole place runs on a diver’s clock.
Rooms: AC Sea-Facing Duplex (up to 4 guests), AC Sea-View Cottage (up to 2), AC Tented Cottage (up to 3), and a budget A-Frame Hut with shared bathrooms for backpackers
Food: Cafe Del Mar, serving Indian, continental and seafood
Location: Beach No. 3, Govind Nagar, Swaraj Dweep (Havelock)
Best for: Divers who want the deepest course menu and a settled, experienced operation
Honest note: because rooms go only to divers and snorkellers, Barefoot is not the pick if half your group wants to skip the water entirely. Book early in peak season, as the sea-facing cottages sell out first.
2. Gypsy Divers Dive Resort, Beach No. 2
Gypsy Divers is the newer, more compact option, built right on Beach No. 2 with its own dive centre on the premises and a private boat that leaves from its own stretch of sand. It is a PADI 5-Star Dive Resort, founded by Poonam Darne, a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer who learned to dive in Andaman herself. The vibe is friendly and social, with a small in-house cafe, Cafe Lava, free WiFi and free parking.
The central position helps. You are minutes from the harbour, market, petrol pump and hospital, which matters more than you would think when you need cash, a SIM or a chemist between dives.
Room rates (as of August 2026, per night): Deluxe “Island Horizon” with a king bed around Rs 7,300, Standard “Coral Comfort” double around Rs 5,500, and a shared “Dive Buddy” dorm bunk from about Rs 2,500. Rates move with season, so confirm at the time of booking.
Location: Beach No. 2, Havelock (Swaraj Dweep)
Best for: Solo divers, backpackers and small groups who want a dorm-to-deluxe range in one place
Honest note: it is a smaller property, so it lacks the pool-and-spa extras of a big resort. If you want a diving-first base and do not care about frills, that trade works in your favour.
3. Havelock Island Beach Resort, near Radhanagar
This one is for divers travelling with a partner or family who also want a proper holiday. Havelock Island Beach Resort is a full beachfront property near Radhanagar with a swimming pool and poolside bar, spa, and a kitchen that runs both local and international menus. The diving is handled in house by Dive Andaman, a PADI 5-Star Elite Dive Centre, so certified divers and first timers are both covered.
Non-swimmers are looked after too. The resort runs a Discover Scuba Dive at Nemo Beach, where a licensed instructor stays with you for the whole dive, which makes it an easy yes for a nervous partner or an older parent.
Rooms: Beachfront cottages, deluxe rooms and family accommodation set in greenery
Extras: Swimming pool, poolside bar, spa, multi-cuisine dining
Best for: Couples and families who want diving plus a resort holiday, not a diver’s dorm
Honest note: you pay for the resort comforts, and it is a short ride from the dive jetty rather than steps from it. For the extra space and pool, most families count that as fair.
Planning your beds beyond the dive resort? See our list of hotels in Havelock and the wider Havelock Island guide.
Which Andaman dive resort should you pick?
- Pick Barefoot Scuba for the fullest course range and a long-established, diver-only setup on Beach No. 3.
- Pick Gypsy Divers for the best price spread, from dorm bunk to deluxe, on Beach No. 2 in the middle of the action.
- Pick Havelock Island Beach Resort if you want a pool, a spa and family rooms alongside a 5-Star Elite dive centre.
When is the best time to dive in Andaman?
Dive season runs roughly October to May, when the sea settles and underwater visibility often sits between 15 and 30 metres. December to March is the sweet spot for calm water and clear light. The monsoon months, June to September, bring swell and murkier water, and some operators cut back boat trips, though a few sites on the sheltered side still run. For a wider read on weather and crowds, check our guide to the best time to visit Andaman.
How do you reach the dive resorts in Havelock?
Fly into Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair (Sri Vijaya Puram). From the city’s Haddo Jetty, government and private ferries run to Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) in about 1.5 to 2 hours. Private catamarans such as Makruzz, Green Ocean and Nautika are the quickest and most comfortable; book the ferry before you fly in peak season, as sailings sell out. From Havelock jetty, each resort is a short auto or resort transfer away.
Do you need a permit to dive in Andaman?
Indian nationals do not need a special permit for Havelock or Neil. Foreign nationals no longer need the old RAP for the main islands, but rules do change, so carry your passport and confirm the current position before you travel. No diving certification is required to try a Discover Scuba Dive, since an instructor guides you the whole way. To dive independently or go deeper, you will need an Open Water card or higher.
What does diving in Andaman cost?
As a rough guide, a Discover Scuba Dive (one guided dive, no certificate) runs about Rs 3,500 to Rs 6,000. A fun dive for certified divers is around Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 per dive, cheaper in multi-dive packages. The four day PADI Open Water course usually lands between Rs 22,000 and Rs 30,000. Prices vary by resort and season, so treat these as ballparks and confirm with the centre. Stack diving with a stay package to save.
PADI scuba diving courses in the Andaman Islands
Every resort here runs PADI training, from the beginner Open Water Diver up through Advanced Open Water, specialities like Deep and Drift Diver, and pro-level Divemaster and instructor courses. Non-swimmers can still get in the water on a guided Discover Scuba Dive, no certification needed.
See the full scuba diving course in Andaman for durations and prices.
Where you’ll dive from these resorts
Havelock is the headline base. Beginners take a Discover Scuba Dive in shallow coral, while certified divers head for Elephant Beach, The Aquarium and the famous Dixon’s Pinnacle, where schools of fish, reef sharks and the odd manta ray turn up over dramatic drop-offs. Neil (Shaheed Dweep), a short ferry away, is quieter: Rocky’s, Margherita’s Mischief and Junction reward divers who want thin crowds and coral-covered boulders. Port Blair suits a quick first dive, with shallow reefs at North Bay and calm training water at Corbyn’s Cove. For dry-land ideas between dives, see things to do in Havelock Island.
You can also try snorkelling in the Andaman Islands if you would rather stay near the surface.
Planning your Andaman dive trip with andamantourism.org
We are an Andaman-based operator, not a mainland desk booking blind. We know which dive resorts run their own boats, how the Havelock and Neil ferries fill up, and when a site is likely to be clear against the season and tide. That local read is what keeps a dive trip from unravelling over a missed ferry or a booked-out cottage.
We can line up your dive resort, ferries and stay in one plan. Browse our Andaman tour packages or send us your dates and we will build the trip around your dives.
The bottom line
If diving is the point of your trip, base yourself on Havelock and let the resort’s own centre and boat do the heavy lifting. Barefoot Scuba suits the committed diver, Gypsy Divers fits solo travellers and tight budgets, and Havelock Island Beach Resort works for couples and families who want the pool as much as the reef. Pick the mood that matches your group, book the dive season months, and lock the ferry early.
Ready to dive? Tell us your dates and skill level, and we will match you to the right dive resort and sort the ferries. Reach andamantourism.org at +91 98100 66496 or info@andamantourism.org.
FAQs: best diving resorts in Andaman
Q. Which is the best diving resort in Andaman?
A. For range and pedigree, Barefoot Scuba on Havelock Beach No. 3 leads. For value, Gypsy Divers on Beach No. 2. For a family holiday with diving, Havelock Island Beach Resort near Radhanagar.
Q. Where are the best dive resorts located in Andaman?
A. Almost all sit on Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep), which is closest to the top dive sites. A few dive centres also operate from Neil Island and Port Blair.
Q. Can non-swimmers dive at these resorts?
A. Yes. All three run PADI Discover Scuba Diving, where an instructor stays with you the entire dive. No swimming or certification is needed for this guided experience.
Q. How much does a dive resort stay cost in Andaman?
A. Rooms range widely. A Gypsy Divers dorm bunk starts around Rs 2,500 a night, standard rooms around Rs 5,500, and deluxe around Rs 7,300 (as of August 2026). Beach resorts and sea-facing cottages cost more.
Q. What is the best time to dive in Andaman?
A. October to May, with December to March offering the calmest water and best visibility, often 15 to 30 metres. The June to September monsoon brings swell and reduced trips.
Q. Do these resorts have their own dive centres?
A. Yes. Barefoot Scuba, Gypsy Divers and Havelock Island Beach Resort (via Dive Andaman) each run PADI centres and their own boats, so you dive straight from the resort.
Q. How do I get to Havelock for diving?
A. Fly to Port Blair, then take a ferry from Haddo Jetty to Havelock, about 1.5 to 2 hours. Private catamarans like Makruzz and Green Ocean are fastest. Book ahead in season.
Q. Do I need a permit to dive in Andaman?
A. Indian nationals need no special permit for Havelock or Neil. Foreign nationals should carry a passport and confirm current entry rules before travel, as they change.
Q. Is Havelock better than Neil or Port Blair for diving?
A. Havelock has the widest choice of sites and dive resorts. Neil is quieter with good coral, and Port Blair suits quick, beginner dives or day trips.
Q. Can beginners and pros stay at the same resort?
A. Yes. Each resort caters from first-time Discover Scuba divers up to Advanced, speciality and professional courses, so mixed-ability groups can dive together.