BY MIA RAGHAVI,
(PADI IDC Staff Instructor)
BENGALURU | 26 OCTOBER 2026
The last few months of the year are made for getaways. Between the festive breaks, the year-end holidays, and the long weekends that come with them, most of us are already plotting where to go next. This year, consider swapping the usual beach or hill station itinerary for something that happens beneath the waves. Whether you are trying diving for the first time or you are a certified diver planning your next trip, here are five destinations worth building a festive break or New Year escape around, and what to expect at each.
Havelock and Neil Islands, Andaman
Being a year-round dive destination, you can visit Andaman for diving any time. The peak tourist season from October through June sees the islands bustling with a lot of joyous people enjoying their time by the sea. Many also take this opportunity to explore beneath the waves. The marine life is plentiful and diverse around Havelock and Neil islands, which have diving spots suitable for absolute novices as well as more experienced divers.
One encounters plenty of marine creatures here, such as turtles calmly grazing the reef, massive schools of fish in tight formations and reef sharks swimming in the depths, while smaller but no less interesting species include octopuses hiding inside crevices and moray eels peering out of coral crevices. These two islands are also an excellent choice for the first-time discovery of diving because the sea around Havelock offers a calm environment where one can try their hand at diving and see if they want to become certified afterwards. Certified divers will also find these islands very appealing due to the sheer diversity of dive sites. PADI dive centres operate on the islands, so both a first experience dive and a full certification course are within easy reach.
Grande Island, Goa
Goa is where a great many Indian divers first strap on a tank, and its diving season begins in October. Goa is popular with novice divers largely because the diving is so laid-back and shallow. This is mainly due to Grande Island, located off the south coast of Goa, where the diving experience is perfect for a first-time diver.
The most notable attraction in Goa consists of several shipwrecks, such as the popular Suzy’s Wreck. You can expect to find common fish species from tropical reefs along with the occasional bigger fish visiting the area. Diving in Goa comes so naturally with the normal beach vacation that many discover their enjoyment of diving by chance in Goa and go on to become certified divers who explore all the oceans in the world. PADI dive centres in Goa run introductory dives and certification courses, which makes it easy to add a dive to a beach holiday.
Pondicherry
Pondicherry doesn’t get talked about nearly as often as the Andamans or Lakshadweep, but it quietly punches above its weight. A good portion of its reef is artificial, built from submerged structures that have, over the years, matured into proper, thriving marine habitat. The result is a dive site with more structure and more marine interest than its modest reputation might suggest.The training here is often very well organised, with several PADI instructors known for a disciplined approach to training.
Kochi, Kerala
As the southwest monsoon comes to an end in October, the diving season in Kerala resumes, making it an exciting time to explore the underwater world of South India. From coastal waters featuring shipwrecks and artificial reefs to freshwater quarries, scuba diving in Keralaoffers a variety of experiences for divers of different interests and experience levels. It is also a destination for those looking to take their diving skills to the next level. Local PADI dive centres offer professional training courses, including Divemaster and Instructor courses, for divers aspiring to build a career in the scuba diving industry. With the diving season getting underway and favourable conditions returning, October to May can be an ideal time to begin professional training and take the first steps towards a career in diving.
Lakshadweep
Lakshadweep continues to be considered the premier diving destination in the nation. There are spots here that still look incredibly unspoiled, with the sort of stunningly pure reef environment that is rare to come by elsewhere anymore. While getting to Lakshadweep requires a little bit more effort than many other diving destinations in India, including acquiring online permits, it is an effort well-rewarded for divers who make the attempt. Divers will find that the extra effort put into getting here is rewarded with encounters with bigger reef creatures against the backdrop of healthy corals. PADI dive centres operate in the islands, so divers can book with a certified operator once they arrive.
A word before you go
However you plan to spend your festive break, or ring in the new year, working with an established and adequately qualified dive centre will be a definite advantage, not only for your safety but also for getting the most out of the experience. Look for centres that run smaller, well-supervised diving groups, maintain their equipment well and give thorough briefings to every diver before each dive. There is a reason so many people call their first breath beneath the waves a life-changing moment of their travels, and a year-end getaway is a fine excuse to find out why.
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