r e u f c t o s ab barefoot scuba - blue space scuba e-brochure.pdf · andaman islands and its...
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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
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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