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Goa is not just a place to relax but also offers an array of thrill-seeking activities to perform. The peaceful beaches offer a lot to explore and are just the beginning of the adventurous zone. Beneath the water of the beaches lies an interesting waterworld which is yet to be explored. South Goa is known for the best dive sites and showcases a vibrant marine life. Scuba diving in South Goa caters to every individual’s choices and preferences. Whether you are a professional diver or just a beginner, this adventurous activity is suitable for all and promises a unique experience.
13 Places For Scuba Diving In South Goa
South Goa offers the best scuba diving journey and an amazing time. These diving sites promise the best moments and a hidden treasure of the beautiful marine life under the water of the beaches.
1. Grande Island
Photo: Pexels / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
Scuba Diving at Grande Island is a popular choice which tourists make. This island is one of the famous places to experience watersports. Other water sports at this place include snorkelling and jet skiing. Scuba diving at this place lets all the divers see the diverse oceanic creatures and colourful gems. Divers can come across multiple rock formations and vibrant coral reefs when under the water. There are numerous dive operators in South Goa who arrange for scuba diving and snorkelling at Grande Island. The best time for scuba diving in South Goa, particularly at Grande Island, is during the drier months of October to February as there are no interrupting rainfalls hindering the visibility of water.
Highlights: Priceless Experience, Rays, Vibrant Marine Life
Level: Beginners and Experienced
Suggested Read: Grand Island Goa Scuba Diving
2. Palolem Beach
Photo: Alexandre Ultré / Wikimedia Commons
There are many dive operators in South Goa who offer scuba diving both near the shores and deep into the ocean. Palolem Beach is considered the best beach in Goa for scuba diving, catering to every individual’s preferences and meant for both professionals and beginners. Scuba diving at Palolem Beach is safe and is meant for non-swimmers too. Diving operators offer classes before ending up under the waters of the beach. The diving season at Palolem Beach lasts from October to April. Palolem Beach is largely visited by tourists in Goa and has bustling crowds.
Highlights: Shore diving, Small Sharks, Parrotfish
Level: Beginners and Experienced
3. Davy Jones’s Locker
Photo: nat10100 / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
Davy Jones’s Locker is an excellent scuba diving place in South Goa. This place can be easily accessed from Benaulim Beach and can be reached with the help of a ferry or speedboat. This site has excellent underwater topography and a diverse marine culture. Divers get exposed to the ancient shipwreck under the waters which is home to multiple coral reefs and marine species. The wreck is home to schools of Tuna, Jack, Barracuda and Bannerfish. Lucky enough, divers might spot quite a few turtles too. The visibility of Davy Jones Locker diving site is excellent and scuba diving is mostly done from October to February.
Highlights: Submerged rock formations, Coral outcrops
Level: Advanced only
Suggested Read: Kayaking In South Goa
4. Pigeon Island
Photo: P. Hughes / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Pigeon Island has a strategic location and can be accessed from both the states of Goa and Karnataka. This site is mostly accessed from the South Goa Coast. Divers can take a ferry to Pigeon Island to make the most of their diving experience. It is believed that this island, if witnessed from above, looks like the shape of a heart. Pigeon Island is thus known as the ‘heart of India’s diving’. The price of scuba diving at Pigeon Island also includes a boat ride to the site. The waters around the island have excellent visibility. Scuba diving at Pigeon Island is more prevalent among advanced divers.
Highlights: Reef Fish, Large Pelagic Fish, both shallow and deeper dive sites
Level: Experienced and Advanced
5. Benaulim Beach
Photo: Ray Swi-hymn / Wikimedia Commons
Benaulim Beach is a beautiful beach near the coastal village of Benaulim in South Goa. The best scuba diving in South Goa can be experienced here, as scuba diving happens at a distance from the beach with a medium depth of water. The sites near the beach are comparatively shallow and cater to the preferences of both beginners and advanced levels. If lucky enough, divers might spot sea turtles under the water. Among the popular water sports in South Goa, Benaulim Beach offers an exciting variety including snorkelling, jet-skiing, banana boat rides, and ferry rides.
Highlights: Moorish Idol, Nudibranchs, Shallow Depth
Level: Beginners and Experienced
Suggested Read: Best Things To Do In Benaulim
6. Cola Beach
Photo: Timothy A. Gonsalves / Wikimedia Commons
Cola Beach is a beautiful beach to visit. Scuba Diving at Cola Beach is as exciting as it seems. The sites of scuba diving at the beach are considered to have shallow waters suiting all the levels of divers. The secluded beach is a chosen spot for scuba diving by both tourists and locals. The visibility at Cola Beach ranges from 10 to 15 metres. The dive sites near the beach can be reached via a short ferry ride or speedboat. There are multiple dive operators for scuba diving at Cola Beach.
Highlights: Reef Fish, Extended Bottom Time
Level: Beginners and Experienced
7. Velsao Beach
Photo: Kishlay singh / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
There are multiple sites near Velsao Beach which are shallow and cater to the preferences of beginners. The sites have rocky outcrops and are very peaceful. The sites can be accessed via a short ferry ride from Velsao Beach. This beach is a secluded beach and doesn’t attract much of a crowd. In return, the diving experience is as enhanced as given a thought. The underwater terrains of the sites of Velsao Beach have sandy shores being home to multiple schools of fishes.
Highlights: Angelfish
Level: Beginners and Experienced
Suggested Read: Famous Beaches In South Goa For A Perfect Coastal Getaway
8. Cortalim Beach
Photo: FIRSTonline / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
Cortalim Beach is ideal for fun activities like surfing, snorkelling, scuba diving and banana boat rides. There are multiple sites for scuba diving which can be accessed by a ferry or speedboats. The sites are not as heavily frequented as other sites so the experience is exquisite. The visibility at the waters of the beach ranges from 8 metres to 15 metres and showcases the best of marine species. The site has shallow waters which is preferable for beginners.
Highlights: Reef Fish
Level: Beginners and Experienced
9. Baina Beach
Photo: lucatelles / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
Baina Beach lies in Baina near Vasco Da Gama. This beach is renowned for its excellent watersports activities. For scuba diving, those interested shall visit the beach between 9 AM to 4 PM and get a ticket. There are speedboats which help you reach the site of diving. There are multiple scuba diving operators near the beach which offer a combo of speed boat rides from the beach to the diving site and other watersports. There are vibrant coral reefs home to different schools of fish.
Highlights: Watersports, Shallow Reefs,
Level: Beginners
Suggested Read: Beaches In South Goa
10. Bambolim Beach
Photo: Anonymous / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
Scuba Diving at sites near Bambolim Beach is a satisfactory decision. There are both soft corals and hard corals under the waters of this beach. There are combo offers given to visitors of the beach for scuba diving, speedboats, and other water sports. The depth of scuba diving in South Goa, especially around Bambolim Beach, is ideal from the drier months of November to May when the visibility is excellent. The sites have a depth of up to 20 feet and more. Vibrant coral reefs and schools of Moorish Idols can be spotted.
Highlights: Soft and Hard Corals, Angelfish, Moorish Idol
Level: Suitable to all levels
11. Suzy’s Wreck
Photo: CC0 Public Domain / PxHere
In South Goa, Suzy’s Wreck is one of the most exciting places to dive. A cargo ship that has sunk and is now resting on the seabed at the spot is home to a wide range of marine life, such as corals, fish, and sometimes rays. Clear visibility and easy entry make it a great place for both new and expert divers to have an unforgettable underwater experience. South Goa dive shops often offer guided trips here, making it a must-see for scuba divers looking for excitement.
Highlights: Groupers, snappers, rays, turtles and coral formations
Level: Intermediate
Suggested Read: Things To Do In South Goa
12. St. George Island
Photo: Ebyabe / Wikimedia Commons
Off the coast of South Goa is St. George Island, which is also known as Pigeon Island. It is a peaceful place to dive and swim, one of the many hidden beaches in South Goa that offer serene and less crowded spots. There are beautiful coral gardens where divers can see groups of tropical fish, moray eels, and even sea cucumbers. The calm waters, good visibility, and mostly untouched marine environment of the island make it a great place for first-time divers and underwater photographers who want to go on exciting, safe, and beautiful dives.
Highlights: Colourful corals and small fish
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
13. Bat Island
Photo: catlin.wolfard / Wikimedia Commons
Bat Island, which is close to Grande Island, is a small but fun place to go scuba diving in South Goa. This place is called “bat cave” because the rocks there look like bats. It has a lot of different kinds of marine life, like reef fish, crabs, and sometimes turtles. Bat Island has clear water, manageable depths, and beautiful underwater scenery that make it a great place for beginning and intermediate divers. Local dive shops offer safety-guided trips, making it a great choice for people who want to have an adventure and witness marine life.
Highlights: Vibrant reefs, marine biodiversity, turtles, moray eels, and reef fish
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Suggested Read: Best Places To Visit In South Goa For An Unforgettable Experience
Scuba Diving in South Goa is an ideal choice to make. All those wanting to explore the water of peaceful beaches shall seek some thrilling activities including scuba diving. The calm beaches are just the beginning of the adventure. With stunning coral reefs and vibrant marine life, scuba diving in South Goa brings you close to nature. Book a trip to Goa with TripXL and enjoy scuba diving for awe-inspiring moments.
Cover Photo: Summitandbeach / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
