B a r e f o ot S c u b a t o so cf uer ba ab

nal dsi sn ,a im na dd iana W H E R E Q U A L I T Y M A T T E R S .

Floating in splendid isolation in the Bay of

Bengal is an archipelago of 572 islands, islets

and rocks, stretching over an area of more than

700 km from north to south. Only 36 of these

islands are inhabited. Known as the Andaman

& Nicobar Islands, this Union Territory is a part

of the Republic of India.

Once part of a hill range, stretching from

Myanmar to Indonesia, these undulating

islands are covered with dense forests and

endless variety of exotic flowers and birds.The

rare flora and fauna, underwater marine life

with crystal clear water and mangrove lined

creeks, offer a dream view of the rare gifts of

nature.

About The Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Getting to the Andaman Islands & to Havelock

East of South Andaman Island is a group of 9

emerald is lands that form Ritchie's

Archipelago, of which Havelock Island is the

largest.

Havelock Island, heart of all scuba diving

activity and tourism in the Andamans is a

tranquil laid back island where pristine white

sandy beaches welcome you and spectacular

diving and snorkeling make your holiday a

splendid one.

Port Blair, the capital city of the Andaman

Islands can be reached from mainland India

with direct flights from Chennai or Kolkata. All

major airlines like Indian Airlines, Kingfisher

and Jet Lite have daily connections to Port Blair.

Havelock is located about 57 km northeast of

Port Blair and can be easily reached by regular

ferry sailings. There are usually 3 sailing per day

and the journey from Port Blair to Havelock

Island is covered in about 2.5 hours.

It's meandering coastline and tall indigenous

rainforest trees makes one feels lost in

paradise. A visit to Havelock and the Andaman

Islands in general is a memorable once in a

lifetime experience.

N

S

W E

About Barefoot Scuba & what we offer

Located at Beach No.3 on Havelock Island,

Barefoot Scuba was one of the first dive

operations to be set up in the Andaman Islands

and over the years has made tremendous

progress.

Barefoot Scuba is the only PADI 5 Star Instructor

Development Dive Resort in the Andaman

Islands. Diving or learning to dive with a PADI 5

Star IDC facility means that you enjoy better

services and higher safety standards. We

believe in small groups and personalized

service to enhance your diving experience and

safety.

The dive centre is fully equipped with a state of

the art equipment area, a comfortable

classroom, a designated filling area and a

service area. With top of the line diving

equipment, outstanding customer service and

About Barefoot Scuba & what we offer

an impeccable safety record, we are the

preferred dive operation in Havelock.

Our dive centre is under European

management. Our extremely experienced,

friendly Instructors and Divemasters are all

PADI professionals who love their work and

look forward to interacting with you. With the

instructors being a mix of nationalities, the

added advantage for our guests is that all our

courses can be taught to you in most European

languages.

For our staff, your safety always comes first and

we pride ourselves in a proven safety record.

We play an active part in the Seacology

Environmental Education Centre in Havelock,

and PADI's Project A.W.A.R.E. These initiatives

raise awareness through education and bring

about a positive change. We conduct a number

of workshops in conjunction with local schools

to try to nurture the hope of protecting the

Andaman Islands and its marine habitat in our

future generation.

At Barefoot Scuba, there is something for

everybody. We provide a wide range of services

to complete your dream holiday. With us, you

can leave your worries behind and enjoy a trip

to paradise.

t o so cf uer ba ab

nals di sn ,a im na dd iana

Diving

Being the only PADI 5 Star

Development Dive Resort in the Andaman

Islands, Barefoot Scuba offers a complete

range of PADI courses from the popular

Discover Scuba Diving Programs through to

the professional levels of Divemaster

Assistant Instructor, Instructor and beyond.

We also offer a variety of Specialty Courses,

First Aid Courses and well priced course

packages that are interesting for those wishing

to continue or enhance their diving

knowledge.

Certified divers can enjoy guided fun diving in

small groups over beautiful coral reefs and our

dive packages are a popular choice. Whether

you are staying for a day or for a week, we have

fun diving packages to suit every diver.

Instructor In our quest to bring you something new each

year, this season we are the only dive facility in

India with a state of the art Bauer Membrane

System for safe filling of Nitrox/Enriched Air.

We look forward to teaching Nitrox courses

and staying down for longer!

Dream, discover and explore the hidden

treasures of the Andaman Sea with us.

Snorkeling is an activity that has no real

barriers when it comes to age, fitness level or

enjoyment. It's a great way to enjoy the

wonderful marine life that the Emerald Isles

have to offer.

All you need is a mask & a pair of fins - exploring

the underwater world just couldn't be easier or

more rewarding. It's really simple, so if you are

just a beginner and have never tried it before

don't miss this opportunity to get your glimpse

of what the underwater world has to offer.

Believe us- it will take your breath away!

Barefoot Scuba offers several short half day

snorkeling excursions as well as full day

snorkeling programs. Guests can join our

regular dive trips as a snorkeler or opt for the

afternoon snorkeling trip or the sunset

Snorkeling

snorkeling trip that allows guests to enjoy a bit

of a lay in.

For those who want to live life king size; choose

from a wide range of boats and charter a

private snorkeling boat.

Come join us. Allow us to unveil the

underwater marvels of the Emerald Isles.

Off the beaten track

To give your holiday an extra edge and for

memories to last you a lifetime, Barefoot Scuba

offers you some amazing specials too.

Dive or snorkel with Rajan – our celebrity elephant

Rajan - Barefoot's 59 year old retired Asian

elephant is the last of the famous ocean

swimming elephants of the Andaman Islands.

He is a well known celebrity having featured in

the Hollywood movie 'The Fall'.

With us, you could dive or snorkel alongside

this beautiful tusker and add that extra zing to

your Andaman experience. Every season

snorkelers and divers from all over the globe

are amazed and mesmerized by his grace and

relative weightlessness underwater.

If you thought diving with a great white shark is

the most special you could do, think again!

Off the beaten track

It is not Barefoot's intention to turn this

celebrity elephant into a circus act by getting

him to swim too often and with too many

people. Hence diving or snorkeling with Rajan

needs to be booked ahead of time so we can

keep our bookings few and far between.

Rajan's story is an extremely interesting one

and if you are interested in learning more about

him, please visit www.divewithrajan.com

Dive the unexplored with our special trips and safaris

On our magical dive safaris guests will be

treated to spectacular reefs and stunning dive

sites that are beyond what's usually possible on

our day trips. Dive safaris will involve 3 dives

per day with overnight camping in tented

accommodation on other Islands in the

Andamans. It's a great way to enjoy the best of

both worlds!

Our speedboat expedition trips will take you

where no other dive centre in the Andamans

will. Dive the unexplored waters around the

active volcano 'Barren Island' or try the

undived waters of Invisible Banks. These trips

are exclusive to Barefoot Scuba and can be

done as single day safaris.

Barefoot Scuba's special day trips allow guests

to dive the top 3 dive sites of Ritchie's

Archipelago in a single day. A fun day on our

larger boats and 3 fantastic dives on the best

sites makes this trip a very popular choice with

our guests.

An opportunity that's not be missed – It's

simply breathtaking!

New destinations

As the Andaman Islands open up to tourism,

Barefoot Scuba too explores new frontiers with

the motive of allowing you to discover diving

beyond Ritchie's Archipelago.

Our new dive operation in Avis Island allows you

to be amongst the first to explore the magical

North Andaman waters. Located off the strait

between Middle and North Andaman, this key

shaped Island exclusive to the Barefoot Group

will definitely enchant you.

New dive operations are also being planned on

Barefoot Group properties around the

archipelago in the near future. These new

destinations will allow you to dive the pristine

untouched reefs just waiting to be explored.

If you wish for a holiday in the Andaman

Islands, leave the planning to us. From meet

and greet services, to round trip transfers,

accommodation and plenty of activities to

enthral you, Barefoot Scuba ensures that your

vacation is well planned, well executed and

hassle free.

OTHER SERVICES

An overview of diving in the Andaman Islands

“Journey to the Bay of Bengal in Asia and explore the

magical Andaman Islands - a wondrous realm of stunning

marine and coral reefs, swimming elephants, pristine

beaches and mysterious tribes who exist beyond the reach

of time. Pass through shimmering gates of coral and

discover volcanic gardens of an underwater paradise.

Here lions, unicorns and butterflies masquerade as fish.

Dugongs play in the sea-grasses of shallow reefs that

fringe the outer islands and every dive trip brings the

promise of exploration and new discoveries”

– Jacques Yves Cousteau

Although dive pioneer Jacques Cousteau dived

the waters around the Andaman Islands quite

some time ago- it's only now that they are

becoming one of the world's newest diving

destinations which have yet to be explored

properly for diving. After a 60 year period of

An overview of diving in the Andaman Islands

virtual isolation from the outside world the

Indian government has made a decision to

allow limited, environmentally conscious

tourism development in the islands.

Although diving is a recent development in

India, the Andaman Islands offer some

splendid diving and untouched coral reefs. A

hidden jewel, waiting to be explored!

The best time to dive the Andaman Islands is

February and March. Our peak season is from

November until Mid April. The second week of

May brings in the monsoon season and for this

reason Barefoot Scuba is closed in June and

July.

August and September too are wet months

and although diving in these months come

with their own charm; generally these months

offer slightly reduced visibility and rougher

seas than the peak periods.

With water temperatures not dropping below

26°C and averaging 28°C, diving here is

extremely comfortable and enjoyable to learn.

Visibility in our surrounding waters can vary

from 5m-40m depending on the site and the

season. Currents can range from nothing to

strong and are completely dependant on the

dive site and the tides.

The dive sites are between 30 minutes and

1hour 30 minutes by boat and vary quite a bit in

what the individual sites offer, with regards to

topography and fish life. We have dive sites

suited for all levels of divers; however some of

the best dive sites require an advanced level of

certification

An overview of diving in the Andaman Islands

Sites within easy access offer large healthy coral

fields and habitats for marine critters of all sizes.

It is possible to get exciting dives with manta

rays, devil rays, sharks, sea snakes, a variety of

groupers, humphead parrotfish, large schools

of trevally, napoleon wrasse, turtles, octopus

and so on.

Existing dive sites have proven to amaze and

thrill divers of all levels; however there are areas

of undiscovered and un-dived waters which

hold much more to be explored. In our quest to

show you the best that these magnificent Isles

have to offer, we are constantly on the lookout

for new spectacular dive sites all over the

Andaman Islands.

Our boats & equipment

Barefoot Scuba owns a fleet of

dive vessels. Based on the

diving excursion chosen, the

appropriate boat is designated

for the trip. Guests can also

choose to charter the boat of

their choice for private trips.

All our boats are equipped with

ladders to make entries and

exits easier, canopies, spares,

first aid kit, emergency oxygen

and floatation devices. Our

boat crew are trained in first

aid and handling emergencies.

We carry mineral water, tea,

cookies and a vegetarian lunch

on all dive trips.

Dunghis are traditional Burmese fishing boats

used extensively throughout the Andaman

Islands and their unique design makes them

suitable for our waters. These boats are

modified to suit diving needs and are the most

common boats used for day diving trips in the

Andamans. Our dunghis seat about 8 divers in

a shaded seating area and offer additional

room at the bow for those wishing to sit out

and enjoy the sun.

'Laxmi, our larger more comfortable boat is

about 16m in length and travels between 8 and

10 knots. She is equipped with a dive platform

for easy access, tank racks for storage of tanks

and a ladder to help you enter and exit the

water.

She has a wheel house, a nice small seating

area, an open sun area at the bow of the boat, a

toilet and a small kitchen. There is a hatch

where all the diving equipment can be stored.

Laxmi can take up to 12 divers comfortably and

offers a relaxed ride to our dive sites.

Our boats & equipment

Valsa has been rebuilt into a custom made dive

boat for the upcoming season and no effort

has been spared in providing her with the best

facilities. Made completely in timber she is

about 14 meters in length and is equipped with

a powerful engine.

Complete with a tank rack, an equipment area,

a swim step, a sun deck for divers to relax, a

toilet on board, a wheel house, a simple cabin

(2 berths) and a small kitchen area Valsa is a

great boat to be on. She travels at about 8

knots and can comfortably accommodate

about 12 divers at a time.

Badmaash is the fastest speedboat in the

Andamans and can get you to the best diving

spots like Barren Island and Invisible Banks

within 2 hours from Havelock and Port Blair.

Onboard facilities like air-conditioned cabins

ensure that you feel extremely comfortable

and pampered.

Built by GC Marine (Dubai), this boat is 35 feet

and is powered by twin 225HP Mercury

Optimax OBMs. Below deck is an air-

conditioned cabin, a fully equipped galley and

a toilet.

Our diving equipment

Our dive gear is state-of-the-art equipment

from Scubapro. We have a range of BCD sizes

to accommodate all divers. Our gear is washed

thoroughly in fresh water every day after use

and serviced regularly with standard spares as

recommended by the manufacturers.

Our scuba cylinders are 12-litre Catalina

cylinders with the ability to accommodate

both DIN and Yoke Valves. We also have a few

larger tanks available for rent should you

require a bit more air. Our cylinders are

hydrostatically tested as per international

regulations. They are filled to 200 bar using

Bauer Mariner breathing air compressors

under strict adherence to operating standards.

For divers who wish to dive with their own dive

computers, we rent out Suunto Gecko

computers to our guests. Despite the water

temperature averaging 28°C, we generally

provide 3mm short wetsuits in all sizes to our

guests. If you find that these are inadequate

then we can provide you with 3mm full

wetsuits. We have a variety of masks and a

range of prescription masks as well to suit the

needs of our guests. Our fins come in full-foot

and open-heel models. We have boots and

booties of all sizes for divers who opt for open-

heel fins.

We understand that an enjoyable dive

requires comfortable and well maintained

equipment. We do our best to ensure that our

guests are provided with equipment that is

optimum to their needs.

Accommodation

Discover India’s best kept secret- The Andaman Islands through Barefoot Scuba Dive Resort (also known as Café Del Mar) and the Barefoot at

Havelock Resort.

Located at Beach No.3, the Barefoot Scuba

Dive Resort is the perfect choice for the

budget conscious traveller. Located in the

same premises as the Barefoot Scuba,

Barefoot Scuba Dive Resort offers its guests a

convenient base from which to explore not just

the snorkeling and dive sites around Havelock,

but also the village market, the elephant

training camp and the forest trails beyond

Beach No. 5.

The resort has a lovely restaurant called Café

Del Mar that serves both Indian and

continental fares. The icing on the cake is the

massage centre where guests can indulge in a

traditional Ayurvedic massage while enjoying

views of the ocean. A splendid way to treat

yourself after a day's diving!

The resort is easy on the pocket, simple and

elegant and offers three different categories

of rooms.

The Sea Facing Duplex Cottages are wood

and bamboo structures that face the sea

through a small grove of coconut trees. The

airy bedroom on the upper floor leads out to

a private balcony which is the perfect place to

relax after a day of diving. The interiors are

simple, with ceiling fans, electric lights and

power outlets provided.

The bathroom on the lower level is equipped

with a western-style toilet, shower and wash-

basin with running water. The sit-out, below

the balcony, is the ideal place to hang your

hammock, forget your worries and relax.

Barefoot Scuba Dive Resort

Accommodation

The Garden Bungalows are made of bamboo

and are quaint elevated cottages that are

clean and simplistic. The interiors are very

simple and these huts have a view of the

Garden. The attached bathroom has a

western style toilet and a shower.

For guests who require accommodation that

is basic yet comfortable, the Garden

Bungalow is a perfect choice.

The A Frame Huts are small elevated cane

structures perfect for the backpacker on a

tight budget. These little huts do not have an

en suite bathroom. The resort has 4 clean

bathrooms equipped with western style

toilets, showers and wash basins with running

water for the use of the guests staying in these

huts.

All A frame huts have a ceiling fan, a light, a

mattress and a mosquito net which is

sufficient for the traveller that is looking for

accommodation that is inexpensive for his

long stays.

Accommodation

Located on the Best Beach in Asia (as rated by

Time magazine), Barefoot at Havelock Resort

is set amid rainforest and tropical fruit trees

behind a pristine 2 km white-sand stretch of

Beach No. 7. The resort comprises of 19

beautifully designed wood and thatch

cottages and villas with spacious interiors and

en suite bathrooms. This resort is the perfect

place for a quite, secluded, romantic getaway

and is by far the best place to stay on Havelock

Island.

Barefoot at Havelock Resort is a 25 min drive

from Barefoot Scuba and transfers to and from

the dive centre are easily arranged by car or

motorbike rental.

The Barefoot at Havelock Resort offers several

categories of rooms and guests can choose

between the beautiful non a/c Nicobari

cottages, the spacious a/c Andaman villas,

Barefoot at Havelock Resort

Accommodation

Duplex non a/c cottages and the brand new

chic Nicobari Villa. All categories of rooms have

wonderful views of the rainforest and all

modern amenities to make your trip just

perfect.

Guests here can enjoy bird-watching and Rajan

our celebrity elephant too lives at this resort. A

large spacious lounge bar, two restaurants, an

Ayurvedic massage centre, escorted nature

walks, kayaking and yoga classes make the

Barefoot at Havelock resort and its environs a

one-of-a-kind holiday experience in Havelock.

If your holiday is all about luxury, comfort,

relaxation, peace, quiet and nature at its best,

the picturesque Barefoot at Havelock Resort is

the perfect place to be.

Contact and Reservation

We will be happy to assist you with your

booking and answer any questions that

you may have on the Andaman Islands.

We recommend sending us an email,

however should you not have access to

the Internet we are just a phone call

away.

For reservations and enquiries

For information, availability and prices

please send us an email on

For more information regarding

Barefoot Scuba and Barefoot Scuba Dive

Resort please log onto

please call +91 95660 88560

dive@barefootindia.com

www.diveandamans.com.

For more information regarding

Barefoot at Havelock Resort please log

onto

For more information on Rajan, our

swimming elephant, please log onto

For more information on our diving

safari's and overnight diving

expeditions please log onto

For more information on how to

become a professional diver please log

onto

www.barefootindia.com.

www.divewithrajan.com .

www.liveaboardindia.com.

www.goproindia.com.

Introducing the mesmerizing Emerald Isles to you would be an honour and we look

forward to welcoming you soon.

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