Loading images...

Scuba Diving at Grande Island - Dive into Goa's Best Waters

Loading..

Package Highlights

  • Duration: 1 Day / 0 Night
  • Start Point: Grande Island
  • End Point: Grande Island
Send Enquiry Book Now

Overview

About Scuba Diving at Grande Island, Goa

There's a version of Goa that most tourists never see, the one that exists beneath the surface. While the beaches fill up and the shacks pour out music, just 20 km off the coast at Grande Island, the Arabian Sea is doing something far more extraordinary. Coral gardens sway in the current. Tropical fish move in slow, brilliant arcs. The light filters down in shifting columns, and for a few extraordinary minutes, the noise of the world above completely disappears.

Grande Island - also known as Ilha Grande or Bat Island - is consistently rated as the top scuba diving destination in Goa, and for good reason. The water here is clearer than at most other coastal dive spots, the marine biodiversity is exceptional, and the relatively shallow depth makes it genuinely accessible to complete beginners and non-swimmers alike. If you've ever been curious about what scuba diving feels like but weren't sure if you'd be brave enough or skilled enough, Grande Island is exactly where you should start.

Timing: 6:00 AM - 2:00 PM 

Location: Grande Island, Goa (Departure: Sinquerim Jetty)

Minimum Age: 10 years and above

Prior Reservation:  Required

This premium dive package from TripToOcean(TTO) is operated by one of Goa's most experienced and trusted water sports teams, with PADI and SSI-certified instructors who have guided thousands of first-time divers safely into the open sea. Every aspect of the experience is designed to build your confidence before you ever leave the surface, starting with approximately 30 minutes of pool training in shallow water, where you'll get comfortable with the equipment, learn underwater hand signals, and understand exactly what to expect when you go under.

The journey to Grande Island begins at Sinquerim Jetty, and even the boat ride is an experience in itself. Keep your eyes on the water on the way out - dolphin sightings are common, and spotting them leaping alongside the boat is a genuinely lovely start to the day. Once you arrive at the island, your certified instructor will accompany you on every metre of the dive, keeping you safe while making sure you have the space to actually enjoy what's around you.

Choosing Your Dive: 20 Minutes or 40 Minutes?
One of the things that makes this package stand out is the flexibility it offers. You can choose between two dive durations based on your comfort level, curiosity, and experience - both options include everything you need for a safe, memorable dive.

The 20-Minute Dive - Perfect for First-Timers
If you've never scuba dived before and want a genuine taste of the underwater world without feeling overwhelmed, the 20-minute option is the ideal entry point. After your pool training and boat journey to the island, your instructor takes you down and guides you through Grande Island's shallow underwater landscape, corals, fish, and the extraordinary sensation of breathing 5 metres below the surface. It's enough time to fully absorb the experience and come back up grinning from ear to ear. Your dive is captured on complimentary video, so you'll have proof that you actually did it.

The 40-Minute Dive - For a Deeper, Richer Experience
For those who want more & more time, more depth, more immersion, the 40-minute dive delivers a significantly richer underwater experience. With twice the time beneath the surface, you cover more ground, encounter more marine life, and genuinely settle into the rhythm of breathing underwater. The extended dive is also popular with travellers who have some previous diving experience and want to explore Grande Island's underwater landscape more thoroughly. Everything is still fully supervised; the difference is simply time, and that extra time changes the experience considerably.

Both options include the same pool training, the same boat journey from Sinquerim Jetty, the same certified instructor supervision, the same complimentary video, and the same snacks and refreshments. The choice is simply about how long you want to stay underwater.
 

Itinerary of Scuba Diving at Grande Island - Dive into Goa's Best Waters

6:00 AM - Reporting at Dive Center (Sinquerim)

Arrive at the dive center for equipment familiarization and your pool training session with PADI/SSI-certified instructors. This 30-minute session covers breathing technique, equipment use, underwater hand signals, and safety procedures. It's thorough, reassuring, and sets you up perfectly for the open water.

8:30 AM - Depart from Sinquerim Jetty

Board the boat, and head towards Grande Island, approximately 20 km offshore. The journey takes around 1 hour. Keep an eye out for dolphins, they're a regular presence on this route and have a habit of making the boat ride memorable before the dive even begins.

9:45 AM - First Dive at Grande Island. Once anchored at the dive site, your instructor gears you up and leads you into the water. The dive begins, and so does one of the most remarkable experiences Goa has to offer. Whether you're doing 20 or 40 minutes underwater, your instructor stays with you throughout, pointing out marine life and ensuring you're comfortable at every moment.

By 2:30 PM - Return to Sinquerim Jetty. After completing your dive and enjoying snacks and refreshments on board, the boat heads back to Sinquerim Jetty. You'll be back on shore by approximately 2:30 PM with a complimentary video of your dive and memories that will genuinely stay with you.

Inclusions & Exclusions

Included in Both Dive Options:

  • Approx. 30 minutes pool training in shallow water by PADI/SSI-certified instructors
  • Instructor-supervised open sea dive (20 minutes or 40 minutes, as selected)
  • All scuba diving equipment - wetsuit, BCD, regulator, mask, fins, oxygen cylinder
  • Complimentary underwater video of your dive
  • Snacks and refreshments on board
  • Dolphin sighting opportunity during the boat journey
  • Boat transfer from Sinquerim Jetty to Grande Island and back

Not Included:

  • Personal travel insurance (strongly recommended)
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off (participants make their own way to Sinquerim Jetty)
  • Additional photographs beyond the complimentary video
  • Alcoholic beverages or personal food items
  • Any activity not mentioned above

Cancellation Policy

  • 7+ days before activity date: Full refund - no charges applied.
  • 3 to 6 days before activity date: 50% of the total booking amount refunded.
  • Less than 3 days before the activity date: No refund applicable.
  • Cancellation by operator (weather/sea conditions/safety): Full refund or complimentary rescheduling offered.

Payment Policy

  • Discuss your preferred dive option (20 or 40 minutes), date, and group size with the TripToOcean team before confirming.
  • A 50% advance payment is required at the time of booking to secure your reservation.
  • The remaining 50% balance is due one week before your activity date, or settled on arrival as per prior arrangement.
  • Payments accepted via UPI, bank transfer, or card through the TripToOcean booking platform.

Refund Policy

  • All approved refunds are processed within 5-7 working days of confirmation.
  • Full refunds are issued when the activity is cancelled by the operator due to weather, safety concerns, or force majeure.
  • Partial refunds follow the cancellation timeline as outlined above.
  • Refunds are credited to the original payment method used at the time of booking.
  • No-shows without prior cancellation notice are not eligible for refunds under any circumstances.

FAQs

Yes, absolutely. Both dive options are fully accessible to non-swimmers. The pool training session builds your comfort with the water and equipment before you go anywhere near the open sea, and your certified instructor is with you throughout the entire dive. Thousands of non-swimmers have completed their first dive at Grande Island with complete confidence.

If this is your first time scuba diving and you're unsure what to expect, the 20-minute option is wonderful. You'll experience the full thrill of breathing underwater and exploring Grande Island's marine life.

If you've dived before, or if you're someone who simply wants more time in the water, the 40-minute dive gives you a significantly richer, more immersive experience. Either way, you will not be disappointed.

The minimum age is 10 years and above. Participants of all ages must be in good general health. Pregnant women, individuals with heart conditions, asthma, epilepsy, or ear problems, and anyone who is hydrophobic are advised against scuba diving. Consult your doctor if you have any pre-existing medical concerns.

Grande Island's waters are home to a diverse range of marine life, expect to encounter tropical fish in vivid colours, sea anemones, coral formations, and, depending on conditions, the occasional sea turtle or moray eel. The underwater visibility at Grande Island is generally very good, making it one of the best scuba diving experiences available anywhere in Goa.

Yes. Your dive is filmed by the instructor team, and a complimentary video is provided, this is included in both the 20-minute and 40-minute dive options at no extra cost. It's a genuine highlight of the package and a wonderful way to share your experience afterwards.

Dolphin sightings during the boat journey to and from Grande Island are very common. While they cannot be guaranteed, this is the open ocean, and wild animals follow their own schedule. The waters between Sinquerim and Grande Island are a well-known dolphin habitat, and sightings are a regular part of the trip.

Wear comfortable swimwear or light sportswear underneath your clothes. Bring a change of dry clothes for after the dive, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a light snack or water bottle if you prefer. All diving equipment is provided. Leave valuables safely at your accommodation. You'll be on a boat and in the water for most of the day.

Yes, prior reservation is required, and spaces are limited daily to maintain safety standards and dive quality. Peak season dates between October and February fill up quickly. Booking in advance through TripToOcean is strongly recommended.

The best conditions are typically from October through May, when the sea is calm, visibility is excellent, and the weather is reliably good. The monsoon season (June to mid-September) brings rough seas and poor underwater visibility, during which dive operations are generally suspended. Always confirm availability when booking during the shoulder season (September/early October).

Best travel company in India