Andaman or Lakshadweep Islands

thebuggler

Hi
I am planning to do a scuba diving course at the beginning of my trip to India around the 15th October and think that both the Andamans and the Lakshadeep Islands look cool but can't decide which is better? Can anyone help??!

Thanks!

CliveG

Hi,
Which course do you want to take? I think the Lakshadweep offers the CMAS course not PADI. I do not know what is available in the Andamans. The instructors on Bangaram and Khadmat in the Lakshadwep Isles are very good but it is expensive to stay there.
The dive company there is Lacadives - check out their web site at ...:: Lacadives Welcomes you ::...

If you want more details about the Lakshadweep Islands, accommodation, food etc get back to me.

thebuggler

It is quite expensive I have found a 6 day SSI dive course with accomodation and 2 fun dives for 19,000IR in the Andamans (Havelock) I'm concerned that the diving won't be great in October although their website says otherwise. Is the quality of dive sites better in Lakshadweep?

CliveG

As I said I haven't dived in the Andamans. I usually go the Lakshadweep over Christmas and New Year and the diving is excellent. Water temp 30 degree C and visability 30-50 metres. The marine life is brillian. The coral has taken a hammering over the past 8 years due to El Nino but is recovering. I don't know what SSI course is. If it is a beginners then in the Lakshadweep you start in the lagoon and then eventually out on the reef. Great place to learn and the instructors are very safety conscious, knowledgeable and fun to be with. If you contact Lacadives ask them. You can mention you have communicated with me ( I have no involvement with them other than regualry going there). One thing to note it will likely be very quiet on Bangaram and Khadmat at that time of year. no night life - very few people a max of 15 on Khadmat and 60 on Bangaram but likely to be in single figures in October. Great for divers as you get 1:1 tuition!Khadmat is a dry island - officially no alcohol - Bangaram has a beach bar -great cocktails! Hope this helps.

kalbarri

cliveG,
sounds good to me!can you give a general idea of costs to get there from kerela coast and accommadation.

CliveG

Hi Kalbarri,
As far as I know these prices are accurate -you may have to add taxes on to the figures.

Transfer from Kochi to Agatti
INDIAN AIRLINES : Rs 6600/- per person one way.
KINGFISHER AIRLINES : Rs 8800/- per person on way.

Note: Indian Airlines weight limit for main luggae = 10kg!!
Kingfisher =25kg but you really don't need much on the island.

Transer from Agatti to Bangaram by boat: R900 return

Single room Rs13500 per night
Double room Rs14500 per night

Diving:

Resort course (1 lagoon dive, one reef dive plus theory lessons, certificate and log book) = Rs6000

CMAS course 1 - 4 lagoon dives, 4 reef dives, theory lessons, practical and theory test plus certificate = Rs18000

6 dive package on the reefs = Rs 10500
(Hire of gear for 6 dive package Rs750 per dive - not sure about this price - check on Lacadives website)

The accommodation is full board - you can eat as much as you like (and we do!). Bottled water and alcohol extra.

You can book this visit through Casino Hotel Kochi.

Contact Antony Viju - e-mail antonyviju@sghearth.com
Phone +91 484 2668421 fax: 2668001 mobile: 9846004772
He can book the flight, transfer, accommodation, permit to visit Bangaram (no fee) and the diving.

You can mention my name as he knows me. He is not the most efficient person I have met so you might have to keep checking he has booked everything. Accommodation is paid to Casino but diving is paid to the dive guys on the island. The diver instructors are Sumer, Subin and Mohammed - they are all great divers and will take good care of you. If you book say hi to them from me as I will b going there in December.

While it is not cheap you are getting exclusivity, great service/food and one of the most remote places to visit.

CliveG

PS. The prices for the flights I quoted are high season so may be cheaper in October.

kalbarri

thank you, cliveG,
i must admit i am stunned by these prices. that seems extortionate to me. I am in australia, so it is much cheaper for me to zip up to bali and small islands in that area, which is sad as i love kerala heaps but i like to be able to do some snorkelling on my travels. sri lanka had a couple of small but nice spots. nothing spectacular, though, i did see the largest turtle there, that i have ever seen,it was nearly as big as me and in very shallow water, near the shore at hikkaduwa.
i also snorkelled in really shallow water around "the fort", further south and that was very clear. another area i went to would have been a perfect spot but lots of divers were collecting fih for the aquarium trade which was very disappointing as i am told that approx. 40o/o packaged in the plastic bag method would die and there was hardly any fish to see but some unusual ones that i hadn't seen before. happy travels, better buy that lotto ticket, to hopefully win my trip to lakshadweep!!!

Peacefulplanet

Hi kalbarri,

maybe give the Andamans a try, I haven't been there yet, but from what I've gathered it is a world class diving/snorkelling spot and the prices are a bit higher, but similar to the Indian mainland.

Here is a info thread by ConorM on the Andamans:

A few tips for the Andamans

Some more info from Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andaman_Islands

Definitely a beautiful place:

http://images.google.de/images?hl=de...-8&sa=N&tab=wi

Cheers

kalbarri

thank you. the photos are a turn on and the native people look amzing. looks like a great alternative to me. i will look more into prices for accommodation as chennai is on the list for my next trip to india, so it would be convenient to go to those islands....if the price is right.

Peacefulplanet

There are some fancy hotels, but you will definitely also be able to find something cheap. Vargoje3 has been to Havelock:

"Spent most of my time on Havelock 1 1/2 weeks in which i stayed at Barefoot Resorts. This is a very good place for cheap accomadations i rented thier most expensive bungalow w/ two beds and a cieling fan for about 300 rupees a night but there were smaller "backpacker" tents which could be rented for less than 100 rupees a night. Everyone was very friendly and the onsite restaurant was cheap and very tasty.
...
You can rent a small A frame shelter at Cafe Del Mar for 100 rupees a night although you have to use the public showers/toilet. "

Travel and accomodation - Andaman Islands