India · Indian Ocean
Best time to dive Andaman Islands
Season runs roughly late October to May, with the peak December–March (dry, mild currents). The southwest monsoon (June–September) brings strong winds and rough seas that limit diving.
Peak season: November–April
Overall diving, month by month
Balanced scoring · forecasts include the 2026/27 El Niño outlook
Confidence: Nov medium · Dec medium · Jan medium · Feb medium · Mar medium · Apr medium · May medium · Jun low · Jul medium · Aug medium · Sep medium · Oct low · Nov low · Dec low
What's good when
Each attribute scored 0–10 for every month
| Nov2026 | Dec | Jan2027 | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pelagic & big animals | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Macro life | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Coral & reef health | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Visibility | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| Water temperature | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Weather & sea state | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 8 |
| Operations & access | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 10 |
Climate outlook
How this year's forecast differs from a typical year
- Water temperature +0.7 °C · Andaman Sea warms in the months after an El Niño peak (Nov 2026 – July 2027)
- Coral & reef health -1 · Reefs still recovering from post–El Niño bleaching (Nov 2026 – December 2027)
- Coral & reef health -2.3 · Post–El Niño bleaching risk, as in 2010 when dive sites were closed (Mar 2027 – June 2027)
Water temperature & visibility
| Month | Water | Visibility |
|---|---|---|
| November 2026 | 28.8 °C (84 °F) | 15–25 m |
| December 2026 | 28.4 °C (83 °F) | 20–30 m |
| January 2027 | 28.5 °C (83 °F) | 20–30 m |
| February 2027 | 28.6 °C (83 °F) | 20–30 m |
| March 2027 | 29.1 °C (84 °F) | 20–30 m |
| April 2027 | 30.2 °C (86 °F) | 20–30 m |
| May 2027 | 30.6 °C (87 °F) | 15–25 m |
| June 2027 | 30.0 °C (86 °F) | 10–20 m |
| July 2027 | 29.4 °C (85 °F) | 10–15 m |
| August 2027 | 28.8 °C (84 °F) | 10–15 m |
| September 2027 | 28.7 °C (84 °F) | 10–20 m |
| October 2027 | 28.6 °C (83 °F) | 15–20 m |
| November 2027 | 28.5 °C (83 °F) | 15–25 m |
| December 2027 | 28.0 °C (82 °F) | 20–30 m |
Marine life calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| napoleon wrasse | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| turtles | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| reef sharks | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
Peak = best odds · ● = regularly seen · blank = unlikely. Calendar months, every year.
About the diving
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Current strength
- 2 / 5
- Luxury level
- 4 / 5
- Typical depth
- 5–30 m
- Max depth of interest
- 40 m
- Dive styles
- Day boat, Resort
- Suggested certification
- Open Water
- Nearest airport
- IXZ
- Snorkelling
- Good
- Known for
- napoleon wrasse, turtles, reef sharks
Famous sites: Dixon's Pinnacle · The Wall · Johnny's Gorge · Nemo Reef
Season notes & sources
- Season runs roughly late October to May, with the peak December–March (dry, mild currents). The southwest monsoon (June–September) brings strong winds and rough seas that limit diving.