Blue and seemingly bottomless, the ocean calls out to us to explore its hidden depths. For those of us who love the water, the aquatic world is our dream destination, with delicate jellyfish fanning out their tendrils, manta rays swimming serenely under the waves, lionfish with elegant spikes and more, splashing about their natural habitat. Scuba diving in Chennai takes you into the mysterious Bay of Bengal and treats you to the beautiful sight of its ocean bed.
Although you might be ready to begin scuba diving in Chennai, this lovely coastal region does not have many dive sites and the visibility is low. However, right near Chennai is Pondicherry, and this enchanting Union Territory has plenty of stunning dive sights to leave you spellbound and fulfilled.
So, if scuba diving in Chennai is on your mind and you’re disappointed you can’t dip into the Bay of Bengal, we give you the next best thing with scuba diving in Pondicherry! Scroll through this page to discover the spectacular dive sites that are available in Tamil Nadu.
If you’re a scuba diver ready to splash into the coastal region of Chennai, you may have to wait a little more as designated dive sites aren’t available in this bustling seaside hub.
But not to worry! The dive sites in Pondicherry are a close second and will quench your thirst to go scuba diving in Chennai. Here are some of the spell-binding dive sites available in Tamil Nadu for you to get your dive on!
One of the oldest diving spots in Pondicherry, Four Corners takes you on a journey into the deep with a variety of marine species. Recommended for open water divers, this lovely dive site takes you 18 meters under the ocean to a world with 70 species of coral reefs, gentle...
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Are you ready for a brand new adventure in the deep, blue? One of the best sites for drift diving in India, Aravind’s Wall in Pondicherry, is a beautiful diving spot that should make it on your diving list.
The 130 feet depth at Aravind’s Wall creates a dive site that...
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Move beyond the world of nature and discover a thriving ecosystem created out of modern waste. An artificial reef, Temple Reef in Pondicherry, is built out of recycled materials such as blocks of concrete, iron bars, trees, palm leaves, and rocks. This unique artificial reef slowly became home to diverse...
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One of the oldest diving spots in Pondicherry, Four Corners takes you on a journey into the deep with a variety of marine species. Recommended for open water divers, this lovely dive site takes you 18 meters under the ocean to a world with 70 species of coral reefs, gentle...
Read more
Are you ready for a brand new adventure in the deep, blue? One of the best sites for drift diving in India, Aravind’s Wall in Pondicherry, is a beautiful diving spot that should make it on your diving list.
The 130 feet depth at Aravind’s Wall creates a dive site that...
Read more
Move beyond the world of nature and discover a thriving ecosystem created out of modern waste. An artificial reef, Temple Reef in Pondicherry, is built out of recycled materials such as blocks of concrete, iron bars, trees, palm leaves, and rocks. This unique artificial reef slowly became home to diverse...
Read more
Located on the Bay of Bengal, this beautiful seaside capital draws you in with its vibrant, energetic South Indian culture. Chennai in Tamil Nadu is more than its iconic Marina beach and for tourists ready to discover the many shades of their travel destination, it can open up hidden secrets that will enrich your journey to this coastal region.
With long golden beaches, seaside markets filled with fish sellers calling out their wares in cheerful voices, stone temples embedded with rock art and majestic sculptures, and food that carries with its flavours, the taste of this state; sightseeing in Chennai will leave you spellbound.
Travel to the multi-domed Thousand Lights Mosque, a place of religious worship that lights up the surrounding area with different neon lights so that you feel like you’re looking at a sparkling gem. Sightseeing in Chennai isn’t complete without making your way to the one-of-a-kind Marina Beach, the longest beach in India and one of the longest in the world. Slurp on an ice-cream cone sold beachside and take in the blues of the ocean, as its waves crash gently onto the shore.
Other great spots for sightseeing in Chennai include Elliot’s Beach, Dakshinachitra, Ashtalakshmi Temple, Valluvar Kottam and for film lovers, MGR Film City! The list goes on and its going to be tough to fit all the spectacular wonders of Chennai in this page, but we’re going to try our best.
Scroll through our list of the top places to visit in Chennai and discover the tiny special elements about it that make these spots a must visit.
Known for its cultural beauty, Pondicherry was once a French colonial settlement and its chief draw is its French-infused food, architecture, historical sites, and lovely, winding streets. However, if you’re a traveler that’s looking for more to Pondicherry than what you’ll find on its surface, get ready for an adventure that will thrill you to the bone, with scuba diving in Pondicherry.
Besides the golden beaches of this quaint Union Territory, scuba diving in Pondicherry takes you below the waves of the blue ocean, to the mysterious aquatic kingdom that lurks beneath. Long stretches of coral reef give you a look at the vibrantly coloured sea creatures that swim around in their natural habitat. Spot delicate, translucent jellyfish, lionfish, kingfish, moray eels, manta rays, and crustaceans as they navigate the unpredictable world underwater.
New to this thrilling water sport? Take up a course at one of the Dive Schools that dot the region. These professional divers will show you the ropes for safe and satisfying diving experiences. If you’re a skilled diver, scuba diving in Pondicherry will give you a chance to explore new, exciting dive sites on the coast of South India.
Let’s dip into the hidden water world of Pondicherry! If you plan to go scuba diving in Pondicherry, here are a few things that you should know.
Depth: Up to 30 meters
Cost: ₹5,200 onwards
Difficulty: Beginner-Advanced
Water Visibility: 20 - 30 meters depending upon the weather
Right Time to Visit: Throughout the year except for monsoons
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