Sri Vijaya Puram, July 3:The Directorate of IP&T continues to promote sustainable tourism by expanding adventure and water-based recreational activities across the Islands. In line with this objective, the Directorate of IP&T in collaboration with Scuba School International (SSI) has identified eight new scuba diving sites in Mayabunder (Middle Andaman) and Diglipur (North Andaman).
The initiative forms part of the DIPT’s ongoing efforts to diversify the tourism sector of North & Middle Andaman and promote the region as an emerging destination for adventure watersports tourism. The newly identified sites offer excellent opportunities for recreational scuba diving, enabling tourists and adventure enthusiasts to experience the pristine coral reefs, rich marine biodiversity and unique underwater ecosystems.
The details of the identified scuba diving sites are as follows:
| Sl.N | Site Name | Type of Scuba Diving | Co-ordinates | Depth Range |
| 1 | North of Sound Island Rock, Mayabunder | Boat Diving | 13°0.668’ N
93°0.715’ E |
8-20 metres |
| 2 | Marker 077, Mayabunder | Boat Diving | 12°55.130’ N
92°56.301’ E |
6-15 metres |
| 3 | Bochang, Mayabunder | Boat Diving | 13°2.193’ N
93°1.002’ E |
5-40 metres |
| 4 | Hiran Tikery, Diglipur | Boat Diving | 13°21’59.3” N
93°04’59.9” E |
6-15 metres |
| 5 | Landfall East, Diglipur | Boat Diving | 13°39’45.5” N
93°04’59.9” E |
1-18 metres |
| 6 | House Reef at Ross & Smith, Diglipur | Shore Diving | 13°18’40.2” N
93°04’20.1” E |
2-8 metres |
| 7 | Paget Island, Diglipur | Boat Diving | 13°25’09.2” N
92°52’23.7” E |
6-12 metres |
| 8 | Landfall South, Diglipur | Boat Diving | 13°37’18.1” N
93°01’21.8” E |
5-20 metres |
The identification of these dive sites fulfils the long-standing demand of tourism stakeholders & boat operators of North & Middle Andaman. The initiative is expected to attract more tourists, diversify tourism products available in North & Middle Andaman, generate employment opportunities for local youth, and provide a significant boost to the local tourism economy.
Earlier, in May 2026, four scuba diving sites in Diglipur were identified and incorporated into the Scuba Diving Guidelines with the consent of the Forest Department. With the inclusion of these sites, a total of 12 scuba diving locations is now available across North & Middle Andaman, providing visitors with enhanced opportunities to experience the region’s unique underwater biodiversity and adventure scuba diving.
Tourism stakeholders and eligible scuba diving centres/operators may now register their scuba diving centres for operations in Mayabunder and Diglipur in accordance with the provisions of the notified Scuba Diving Guidelines. All diving activities shall be conducted in strict compliance with the prescribed safety standards, environmental safeguards and statutory requirements to ensure the conservation of the Islands’ fragile marine ecosystem while promoting responsible and sustainable adventure tourism.
