Scuba Diving in Andaman: An Adventure Through Cerulean Depths and Forgotten Histories

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are not dots on a map—they are green chips sprinkled around the blue embrace of the Bay of Bengal. To step onto these beaches is to enter a world where time dissolves, where the cries of ancient tribes mingle with the sea\'s sigh, and where the world beneath the waves beckons with an almost magical appeal. And if there is an experience that captures the magic of these islands in one, gasping moment, it is scuba diving in Andaman. A History Written in Water But the Andamans are not just a diver\'s paradise—they are an archipelago filled with lost histories. The British once made these islands a penal colony, a \"Kalapani\" (Black Waters) for revolutionaries and freedom fighters. The Cellular Jail ruins in Port Blair are a chilling reminder of those days, its bricks whispering tales of resistance and despair. Unquote. And yet, barely a short distance off the coast, the sea has another tale to tell. World War II wrecks lie under the coral, their metal hulls covered in barnacles, barracuda and lionfish home. Diving here is not just an adventure—it\'s archaeology, a chance to hold history in your own hands. Why Havelock? Among all the islands, the treasure for diving enthusiasts is Havelock (officially now Swaraj Dweep). Its beaches, including Radhanagar, are consistently ranked among the world\'s best, but the charm is all underwater. The diving sites here cater to all levels—beginners can hover above gentle slopes teeming with reef sharks, while veterans can descend into the exciting currents of Johnny\'s Gorge, where eagle rays and even whale sharks make occasional surprise visits. And then, of course, there\'s the night diving. At night, the reef is reborn. Bioluminescent plankton sparkle like sea stars, and octopuses ooze out of their dens, their colors rippling in waves of magic. A reminder that the sea never sleeps—only changes its rhythm.