Octopus Garden Dive Centre

Octopus Garden Dive Centre is situated on Beach no.5 in Swaraj Dweep, commonly known as Havelock, within the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The location provides direct access to the region's renowned coral formations and clear waters, making it a central hub for exploring the local marine environment.

The centre is founded by Devlina and Dhruv, professional divers who established the business to provide a personal approach to scuba diving. Their focus remains on sustainable tourism and responsible diving practices to ensure the long-term protection of the local reefs.

The instruction team brings a wealth of experience to the water, with a combined background of more than ten years in the industry. The instructors have undergone training both locally in the Andamans and overseas in New Zealand, ensuring a high standard of professional guidance.

Teaching is conducted with a focus on personalised attention and small groups. The team caters to all experience levels, from those completing their first Discover Scuba Diving sessions to professional candidates working towards their Dive Master Course.

As a PADI affiliated centre, Octopus Garden offers a complete progression of certification courses. Beginners can start with the PADI Scuba Diver Course or the Discover Scuba Diving programme, with options for both shore and boat entries.

For more experienced divers, the curriculum includes the Adventure Diver Course, the Advanced Open Water Diver Course, and the Rescue Diver Course. The centre also provides Emergency First Response training. Professional divers can pursue the Dive Master Course, and those interested in marine ecology can take the Reef Check EcoDiver course.

The centre provides a range of services for divers arriving with their own kit or looking to hire equipment. While specific brands are not listed, the facility is set up to support both shore-based and boat-based diving activities.

For those looking to try diving for the first time, the centre offers introductory programmes including both shore dives and boat dives. They also provide photography and video services for those undertaking their first Introduction to Diving or PADI Discover Scuba Diving sessions.

The reefs around Havelock are home to a vast array of tropical fish and large pelagics. You can expect to see schools of fusiliers, snappers, and jacks, alongside various species of butterflyfish, angelfish (Pomacanthidae), and surgeonfish (Acanthuridae). Large predators such as reef sharks (Carcharhinus), whitetip reef sharks (Triaenodon obesus), and blacktip sharks frequently patrol the area, while tuna (Thunnus) and barracuda schools move through the water column.

In the shallower areas and reef flats, look for colourful resident species like parrotfish (Calotomus), anemonefish, and various types of wrasse (Labridae). You will often find sea turtles (Cheloniidae) and rays, including stingrays and marbled rays, gliding over the sandy bottom or near the coral structures.

Macro life and smaller organisms provide endless interest for observant divers. The seabed and reef crevices host a variety of crustaceans, including crabs (Brachyura), lobsters (Homaridae), and various shrimps (Caridea). Keep an eye out for nudibranchs, seahorses (Hippocampus kuda), pipefish, and different species of octopus (Octopus vulgaris), as well as scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae) and frogfish (Antennarius) camouflaged against the reef.

The structural beauty of the seabed is defined by diverse coral formations. The landscape is built upon hard coral (Scleractinia), including brain coral, table coral, and staghorn coral, alongside soft coral (Alcyonacea) and various gorgonians. Large sea fans and giant clams add further texture and life to the underwater scenery.