Explore the Marine World by Scuba Diving in Karnataka!

If you’re an adventurer always looking to indulge in new and unique experiences, scuba diving should be a part of your bucket list. Imagine taking a dip in turquoise waters and swimming with the fishes while marvelling at the glorious corals! Sounds magical, doesn’t it? You don’t have to go too far to have an extraordinary scuba diving experience in India. Off the coast of Karnataka, Netrani Island is a famous diving spot perfect for seasoned divers and newbies alike. This island is definitely one of the best places to visit in Karnataka if you love the glistening sea and want to give scuba diving a go. 

Here’s everything you need to know to plan your diving trip to Netrani island.

How to get there

Also known as Pigeon Island, Netrani is a short boat ride away from the fishing village called Bhatkal. You can also take a cab or rickshaw ride from Murudeshwar, a coastal village and popular pilgrimage site off the coast of Karnataka. 

About Scuba Diving on Netrani Island

Scuba diving on this island is definitely one of the best things to do in Karnataka. The glistening waters and the vivid marine life make it one of the best diving spots in the country. The island has around 7 diving sites where one can spot fascinating marine creatures. You can swim with thousands of mackerel, barracudas, silver-blue fusiliers, moray eels, sharks, turtles, sea urchins, and thousands of other sea creatures and become one with the magnificent ocean. If you dive deeper, you will come across lizardfish, scorpionfish, snappers, and other rare sea creatures. You may also spot Olive Ridley turtles, orcas, and whale sharks on your dive. 

There are a couple of scuba diving operators to choose from. One can hire certified instructors through these operators for a group or individual training and certification. A day before your diving expedition, you will be given pool training before entering the open waters. You will be taught how to use the equipment and lessons on basic scuba safety. Demos will be conducted and the instructors will ensure that you are comfortable with the equipment before you are taken to the diving spot. An instructor will accompany you on your underwater adventure. Usually, these dive sessions last 20-30 minutes. 

Watersports in Karnataka don’t just comprise scuba diving. The abundance of marine life and fishes will make even snorkeling a rewarding experience on this island if you don’t feel like going all out diving. There’s a snorkeling spot where you can see Grea Barracudas, Stingrays, Turtles, Black Tip Sharks, and more sea creatures. 

Things to remember

There’s no harbouring area on the island. You will either be on the boat or in the water. Carry a small backpack with 1-2 litres of water, swimwear, towel, extra clothes, sunscreen, and light snacks. It is recommended not to have a heavy meal before diving as it may cause seasickness on the boat or discomfort during the dive. 

Where to stay

There are many comfortable stay options in Murudeshwar where you can spend a few days and experience scuba diving at its finest. Apart from Scuba Diving, there are many other interesting things to do in Karnataka. You can plan your stay at one of Club Mahindra’s resorts and explore more adventure sports in Karnataka. From Bengaluru,to Mysore to resorts near Coorg, Club Mahindra has properties situated across Karnataka that offer unique experiences for every kind of traveller. 

Club your scuba diving expedition with a visit to one of Club Mahindra’s resorts in Karnataka and explore the glory of this south Indian like never before!