Lakshadweep Tourism

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Scuba Diving

Lakshadweep is fast becoming water

sports capital of India and especially of the underwater sea sports. With its large coastline, coral islands, and great variety in the marine life, Lakshadweep can be termed as the most unfrequented of fascinating scuba diving destinations in the country.

Scuba Diving

India offers unlimited possibilities to Scuba diving enthusiasts. Given its vast, undulating coastline dotted with sandy beaches, two major group of islands, some of the most isolated, unexplored and exotic diving locations in the world and numerous island lakes, there is enough to whet the appetite of the most demanding diving buff.

Scuba Diving

In fact, destinations offering diving spots in India now figure prominently in the itinerary of a growing number of domestic as well as foreign tourists who are lured by the exotic locations of scuba diving centers unrivalled in diversity and natural beauty. Equally attractive are the affordable prices at which the thrills of the sport can be had in the country. The relatively warm waters are another welcome change to foreign tourists.

Scuba Diving

The coral reefs and pristine blue lagoons of Lakshadweep are the ideal location to go Scuba diving in India.. Lakshadweep has some of the best diving spots in the world, comparable to the Maldives and the Great Barrier Reefs. "Lacadives", located at the Kadmat Island Resort, is the only diving school of its kind for beginners.

Scuba Diving

Get into your diving gears starting with the facemask to the fins. Having your nose inside the mask properly is important for you have to sometimes blow through the nasal passage to clear the mask. The nose also has to be blocked by the divers to enable them to 'pop' their ears, which help clear the pressure from your ears. Choose a flipper that does not hurt your feet. The next step is to load weights into your belts to take you down. After that, you can get into your jacket with the gas cylinders. When you are through with your gears, this is the time go down in the sea.

Scuba Diving

But, before that don't forget to look for your support line attached to you. Once inside the sea, the whole world of sea and its residents are your friend and behave with them properly. Any misbehaving with them can cost you more than you bargained for. Take care of all the safety measures already described to you. As the pressure of the water increases with the depth, you can have pain in your ears. Some exercises are recommended by the trainers to be safe from this and most useful is "popping" your ears whether you are going down or coming up.

Lacadives Dive Centre

Kadmat, an island of the Lakshadweep, south west coast of Kerala, is situated the dive school - Lacadives Dive Centre. Having started it's operations in October '95, the school is young and the island pristine, the underwater world even more so, most of it untouched and the rest, experienced by a little less than 100 divers. Being aware of the delicate structure of the islands, we have much respect for the environment and expect the same from those who visit it, that being the only criteria for enrolling participants for the course, besides knowing how to swim.

Lacadives Dive Centre

The diving package is an 8 - 10 day course at the island of Kadmat. For those looking for a holiday to lay back and enjoy the sun on the beach, it's not the right place, but for those interested in an adventurous, hectic and exciting experience, this is it. Starting from scratch, the students are taken into the lagoon, taught the basic uses of mask, snorkel and fins, then progressing into learning about the use of the whole scuba equipment followed by an introductory dive. This is where the fun begins.

Lacadives Dive Centre

The course goes on with doing 2 dives a day, everyday, learning the basic techniques and rescue skills underwater, the hand signals used for communication in the silent world and the most important, is the learning of the safety regulations, mandatory for every diver to know it and respect it in order to maintain the safety of the sport. The day finishes with an hour of theory classes talking about the physics of diving and followed by group discussions with the respective dive instructors briefing them on the day's dives, after which everybody enjoys the sunset with hot tea and refreshments, and from then on the holiday mode is switched on.

Lacadives Dive Centre

The accommodation provided is very comfortable but extremely basic. A comfortable bed, a clean bathroom and three square meals are guaranteed. Those who enjoy the experience of the starry skies with occasional shooting stars to put them to sleep bring their bedding to the jetty and sleep with the rest as the cool wind lulls them into sweet dreams. There is a common cafeteria and dining place where all meals are served at a fixed time.

Lacadives Dive Centre

The cost of the package includes boarding, lodging and the fees for the scuba training. For those accompanying the divers as non-divers can try snorkeling, windsurfing or cycling into the village, discovering the island. The package is limited to 10 - 12 divers per package, and a medical certificate stating fitness to dive is required for those coming to dive. From Cochin, one can either fly to the island of Agatti and then by helicopter to Kadmat, or take a ship to Kadmat, which is a one night's journey, at no extra cost.

Lacadives Dive Centre

At the end of the course, there is an examination - practical and theory, which if passed successfully, the divers receive a resort certificate acknowledging them as open water divers and also given an international diving license from the C.M.A.S. school of diving - Rome. This license qualifies him as a C.M.A.S. One Star Certified Diver, which entitles him to dive anywhere in the world. For those who do not need the course because they are already experienced qualified divers, can also avail of the services of the dive school and pay the rate as per dive.

Lacadives Dive Centre

We have another centre exclusively for certified divers, on the island of Kavaratti, the capital of Lakshadweep, where they can enjoy the dramatic, colourful scapes of the Kavaratti underwater world. It doesn't matter if you manage to get through the course successfully or the tension and excitement of it, what matters is the experience of the profound silence of the heavens below, coming back to existence, coming back to ourselves.

Unique Tours & Hospitality Services

Contact us Unique Tours & Hospitality Services"BETHESDA" , Harmony Enclave,Near Udayamperoor Jn,Kochi. Pin-682307 Kerala, India.Tele/fax : 0484 2307286Mob. 0 9846066688 E-mail: mail@uniquekerala.com