Neil Island (also known as Shaheed Dweep Island), a hidden treasure in the Andaman Islands, promises a serene escape from the chaotic city life. This beautiful island is a popular destination for tourists seeking natural beauty and adventure. Neil is a very small isle, with only about 4000 inhabitants. An emphasis on almost negligible internet access simply means a more intimate experience on the Island. 

The island is separated into 5 different villages: Neil Kendra, Ram Nagar, Sitapur, The Laxmanpur Beach and The Bharatpur Beach. Neil Island is a paradise for scuba diving enthusiasts. The island is known for its coral reefs and attractive marine life, including dugongs, turtles, stingrays, and colourful fish.

In this article, we will explore the many dive sites in Neil Island, some of their unique attractions and why you should go scuba diving in Neil Islands.

With all of its vibrancy, transparency and cleanliness, let's explore the places for the best scuba diving in Neil Island.

1. Junction

Junction is a reef between Havelock and Neil and is one of the most popular dive sites on Neil Island. The site starts at around 72 feet and drops to nearly 98 feet. One can experience moderate to strong currents here, making it suitable for intermediate to advanced divers.

The dive begins with rock formations adorned with beautifully coloured soft corals. As you dive, you will encounter unusual macro life like ghost pipe fish, nudibranchs, and other underwater life hiding in rock crevasses. Since the water at the Junction is not meant for beginners, you must stay within decompression limits. If the currents are strong, hold onto the descent line and admire the marine life.

• Unique Underwater Attractions: Lionfish, blue-spotted stingrays, turtles, sharks, groupers, fusiliers, tuna, sea stars, Napolean wrasses, marlin, trevallies, barracudas, corals, eagle rays, manta rays, marble rays, batfish, macro-life, ghost pipefish, nudibranchs, sea snakes, sea cucumbers, corals, rock formations.
• Depth: 10m – 30m

3. Margherita’s Mischief

Margherita's Mischief is a fantastic dive site located 2.5 kilometres north of Neil Island. It is one of the three famous reefs between Havelock and Neil Islands. It features a long chain of rocky mounds extending southward, home to diverse marine life.

With crystal-clear waters and mild currents, it is perfect for open-water divers. The sandy bottom is covered in seagrass, which dugongs love. Schools of various fish species also populate the area, creating a vibrant and lively ecosystem. It's located just 10 minutes from the jetty and is a must-visit spot for diving enthusiasts.

• Unique Underwater Attractions: Rock formations, batfish, angelfish, pufferfish, pipefish, lobsters, nudibranchs, blue-spotted stingrays, dugongs, coral reefs, octopi, shrimps, moray eels, mantis shrimps, snappers, soldierfish, nudibranchs.
  
• Depth: 7m – 16m

3. K Rock

K-Rock in Neil Island is an ideal dive site for all levels of scuba divers. It is a large volcanic rock with varying depths and a mix of sandy bottom. The lack of current makes it perfect for underwater navigation courses. You can explore many crevices, small overhangs, and boulder formations here. The rock is home to a diverse range of marine life that is different from those found in Havelock Island. If you're looking for an unforgettable diving experience in Shaheed Dweep, K-Rock is the place to be!

• Unique Underwater Attractions: Dugongs, snappers, sweetlips, soldierfish, butterflyfish, boulder formations, crevices, overhangs.
  
• Depth: 10m - 20m

4. Bus Stop

Bus Stop is one of the popular dive sites in the Andaman Islands, located on the western part of Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep), just 3 km away. This site is perfect for beginners as it has a gently sloping reef with patches of soft corals and rocks to the North and a small downward sloping plateau to the west. The site is known for its diverse marine life, including garden eels, blue spotted stingrays, and various species of Andaman Reef fish.

• Unique Underwater Attractions: Corals, garden eels, butterflyfish, angelfish, damselfish, sweetlips, groupers, Andaman reef fish, blue-spotted stingrays.
• Depth: 7m - 20m

5. Jetty Channel Marker

Jetty Channel Marker in Neil Island, Andaman Islands, is an excellent scuba diving spot suitable for all levels of divers, including those wanting to try Open Water. The reef around the marker has schools of trevally and lots of colourful marine life. As you swim deeper, you will find a fallen concrete pillar lying on its side that many corals now call home.

• Unique Underwater Attractions: Trevallies, angelfish, stingrays, parrotfish, pufferfish, triggerfish, batfish, scorpionfish, corals.
  
• Depth: 6m - 11m

6. Dugong Dungeon

Scuba diving in Dugong Dungeon on Neil Island is an experience that any adventure seeker should not miss. This dive site offers a unique opportunity to witness the majestic creatures - Dugongs - the state animal of Andaman and Nicobar. Dugong Dungeon is in a protected area with patches of rock and corals amidst sand.

Dugongs are gentle creatures like manatees. They are herbivores and feed on seagrass, which is why they are often found in areas where there is an abundance of seagrass. Dugongs are an endangered species, and the fact that they can be seen at Dugong Dungeon makes this dive site even more special.

• Unique Underwater Attractions: Rock formations, corals, dugongs, reef fishes, turtles, reef sharks.
  
• Depth: 6m - 14m

Individual fun dives cost around ₹3,500 - ₹12,000, while courses range from ₹10,000 - ₹70,000. 

Depending on the operator you choose, the cost of scuba diving can vary. You might also have to pay additional charges such as park fees, transport, etc. Please check with your operator prior.

The best time to visit Neil Island for scuba diving is from October to April when the weather is pleasurable. The days are sunny, the sea is calm with good visibility making it fun for scuba divers of all levels.

Before you go scuba diving in Andaman and Nicobar, be sure to carry these essential items:

• Sunblock and sunglasses
• Rehydrating salt and hydrating liquids
• Swimwear and towels
• Dry bag and first aid kit
• Valid ID is always handy. 

Scuba diving operators in the islands will provide you with scuba diving equipment. Please check your equipment before you're in the water to avoid malfunctions.

• Dive only in designated areas and always pay attention to the guidelines set down by your instructor.    
• Those above the age of 12 years are allowed to scuba dive in Neil Island.
• Respect your environment and don’t harm any of the marine life including corals.
• Avoid diving under the influence of substances, or if advised against by a medical practitioner.
• There should be a time gap of at least 24 hours between flying and going scuba diving.
• Non-certified divers can only go up to 12 meters in Andaman and must be accompanied by a certified diver.
• Avoid consuming alcohol or exercising immediately after scuba diving.

As you emerge from the waters of Neil Island, with the vibrant hues of the coral reef and the calming rhythm of the ocean echoing in your ears, you realize that scuba diving is not just a sport but an adventure that unlocks a whole new world of beauty and wonder. From the kaleidoscopic schools of fish to the majestic turtles and the elusive manta rays, the underwater world of Neil Island is a playground for those who dare to explore it.