Scuba Diving at Grande Island, Goa: A Beginner's Guide

Grande Island, off the coast near Vasco da Gama, is Goa's main spot for scuba diving and snorkeling. You do not need a certificate to try it: a "Discover Scuba" or try dive lets complete beginners breathe underwater with an instructor right next to them.

How a beginner dive works

1. Boat ride: boats usually leave early in the morning from the Candolim–Sinquerim side or from near Vasco, depending on the operator. The ride out takes about an hour. Your meeting point is on your ticket.
2. Briefing: the instructor explains the equipment, how to breathe through the regulator, how to clear your ears and the hand signals.
3. Shallow practice: you practise breathing and simple skills in shallow water first.
4. The dive: you go down with the instructor, usually to around 10 to 12 m, for about 20 to 30 minutes, seeing reef fish, corals and rocks.

Most trips include lunch on the boat and a snorkeling stop, and some include dolphin spotting on the way back.

Best time to dive

Dive trips run from about October to May. Visibility is usually best from November to April, when the sea is calm and clear. In the monsoon, boats do not go out.

Who can do it

• You do not need to be a strong swimmer, but you should be comfortable in water.
• The usual minimum age is 10 to 12 years. Check the adventure page.
• You will fill in a medical form. Asthma, heart conditions, recent ear or sinus problems, epilepsy and pregnancy can rule you out. If you are unsure, ask a doctor first.
• Do not dive with a cold or blocked nose. It makes clearing your ears painful.

Already certified?

Certified divers can book fun dives, such as a two-dive trip to around 18 m that includes the wreck sites near Grande Island. Bring your certification card or app.

Important: do not fly right after diving

After scuba diving, wait at least 18 to 24 hours before flying. Plan your dive on an early day of your trip, not on the morning of your flight home.

What to carry

• Swimwear (wear it under your clothes), a towel and a change of clothes
• Reef-safe sunscreen and a cap for the boat
• Seasickness tablets if you get queasy on boats; take them before you board
• Your ID and booking