What is the Red Pillar dive site in Havelock Island?

Red Pillar is a shallow reef just off Peel Island, about 1 km north of Havelock, named after the red channel marker at its centre. The reef runs from 2.5 to about 12 metres, with coral-covered marker pillars, large barrel sponges and a sunken scooter and bicycle.

What is the price for Red Pillar scuba diving, Havelock?

Red Pillar scuba diving is ₹4,000 per person, including boat transport, full equipment, free GoPro photos & videos from your accommodation.

Red Pillar scuba diving site at Havelock Island, Andaman

Diver floating above a bed of red sea fans, Red Pillar scuba diving, Havelock Island

Diver making an OK sign above red sea fans, Red Pillar scuba diving, Havelock Island

Two divers between old pillars with red sea fans below, Red Pillar scuba diving, Havelock Island

Diver behind orange sea fans and branching coral, Red Pillar scuba diving, Havelock Island

Diver beside an anemone with clownfish and damselfish, Red Pillar scuba diving, Havelock Island

Bright red sponge on a coral rock with divers behind, Red Pillar scuba diving, Havelock Island

Diver and instructor above staghorn coral, Red Pillar scuba diving, Havelock Island

Diver swimming with the instructor holding the tank, Red Pillar scuba diving, Havelock Island

Diver descending in clear water below the boat, Red Pillar scuba diving, Havelock Island

Two divers above potato coral with small fish, Red Pillar scuba diving, Havelock Island

Group of divers in life jackets on the dive boat, Red Pillar scuba diving, Havelock Island

Course Code: FRG-RDP-HVL

Red Pillar Scuba Diving Havelock

₹4,000 per person, inclusive of GST

4.9 2,024 Google reviews

A shallow reef just off Peel Island, named after the red channel marker at its centre. Beginner boat dive: no swimming or certification needed, one-to-one RAID instructor, GoPro photos and videos included.

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Optional Add-Ons

Red Pillar Pro Upgrade

+15 min underwater (45 min total) · 10 extra photos + 2 extra videos

+₹1,000

Book on WhatsApp

Things to Know

Max depth for beginners programs is 12 meters

Minimum age 10 years (8+ for the Try Dive Cadet, shallow water only) · no upper age limit, doctor’s sign-off only if your medical form needs it

Booking confirmation sent via WhatsApp within 30 minutes

Cancel 72+ hours before: full refund of what you paid (minus 5% fee + GST). Inside 72 hours: no refund

No refunds for bookings between 15 Dec and 15 Jan

Read Terms & Conditions · Refund policy

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About the Red Pillar Boat Dive in Havelock

Red Pillar is a shallow reef just off Peel Island, about 1 km north of Havelock and 5 to 10 minutes by speedboat from the jetty. It takes its name from the red channel marker that stands above the water in the middle of the reef and guides the ferries in and out of Havelock. The pillars that hold up the marker are now covered in coral. The reef crest sits at 2.5 to 3 metres and the reef goes down to about 12 metres, which makes it an easy place for a first dive: you start shallow and go deeper only when you are comfortable.

This is a beginner dive. You do not need a certification or any swimming ability. A certified RAID instructor stays with you one-to-one for the whole dive, after a 30-minute briefing and shallow-water practice. Below the crest you find large barrel sponges, and a scooter and a bicycle that were sunk years ago and are now completely covered in coral.

Total Duration

2 to 2.5 Hours

Underwater Time

30 min | 45 min (Pro)

Max Depth

12 Metres (Beginners)

Visibility

Typically 6 to 9 Metres

Difficulty

Beginner, Non-Swimmers OK

Access

Boat Dive, 5 to 10 Min from Jetty

Standard vs Pro: The standard dive is 30 minutes underwater with GoPro photos and videos. Upgrade to Pro (+₹1,000) for an extra 15 minutes underwater (45 min total), plus 10 extra GoPro photos and 2 extra videos, with more time around the barrel sponges and the coral-covered scooter and bicycle.

What's Included in Your Red Pillar Dive

Turn up and we handle the rest, including the boat, the gear and your GoPro footage. Red Pillar is one of the sites you can choose when you book boat diving in Havelock.

Included in All Packages

Speedboat transfer to Red Pillar, 5 to 10 minutes each way
One-on-one certified RAID instructor for your entire dive
GoPro photos & videos of your dive, delivered to your phone
30-minute theory session and shallow training before descent
Full scuba equipment: BCD, regulator, wetsuit, mask, fins, tank
Safety briefing and medical declaration form

Red Pillar Pro: Additional (+₹1,000)

Extra 15 minutes underwater, 45 min total instead of 30
10 extra GoPro photos + 2 extra videos on top of standard
More time at the barrel sponges and the coral-covered scooter and bicycle

What to Bring

Swimwear, worn under your wetsuit
Towel and dry change of clothes
Reef-safe sunscreen only
Water and a light snack for the boat
Any relevant medical information (ears, asthma, heart conditions)

Your Experience, Step by Step

Step 1 · ~30 Min

Briefing & Equipment

Meet your instructor at the dive centre. Theory session on breathing, equalisation, and hand signals. Equipment fitted and checked. Medical form completed. Boat briefing for first-timers.

Step 2 · 5 to 10 Min

Speedboat to Red Pillar

Short boat ride to the Red Pillar mooring. You will see the red channel marker before you get in. Surface briefing on the descent and what to expect on the reef.

Step 3 · 30 to 45 Min

The Dive

Descend slowly from the shallow reef crest. Your instructor holds on to you and guides you over the coral: clownfish in their anemones, fish schools over the crest, and the barrel sponges further down. GoPro captures everything.

Step 4 · 1 to 2 Hrs After

Photos & Videos Delivered

GoPro content transferred to your phone via WhatsApp or USB after the boat returns.

Not suitable for: Anyone with active ear infections, recent surgery, or uncontrolled asthma on the day. Pregnant guests are advised not to dive. Not sure? Call us before booking, we'd rather advise you correctly first.

Marine Life at Red Pillar: What You'll See

Red Pillar packs a lot into a small, shallow reef. The crest is covered in hard coral with clownfish below, fish schools move over the top, and the deeper part holds large barrel sponges and two man-made objects that the reef has taken over.

What You Are Most Likely to See

Clownfish in anemones: on the shallow reef top, where you spend the start of the dive
The marker pillars: the supports of the red channel marker, now covered in coral and full of small fish
Coral garden: staghorn, cauliflower, mushroom and valley corals across the reef crest
Sergeant majors and fusiliers: fast schools moving over the reef
Barrel sponges: very large sponges at 8 to 12 metres
The sunken scooter and bicycle: at 8 to 12 metres, sunk years ago and now fully covered in coral, with small fish living around them

Also Seen Regularly

Angelfish: several species across the coral
Snappers and fusiliers over the reef
Triggerfish and parrotfish on the crest
Stingrays on the sand
Crocodile fish and scorpionfish: well camouflaged, your instructor will point them out

Best Season

November to May: calm seas, the most comfortable boat ride and the clearest water
June to September: monsoon; the site can be closed on rough days, so check with us before booking

Red Pillar Dive Site: Depth, Visibility and Conditions

Red Pillar sits in the channel just off Peel Island, north of Havelock, 5 to 10 minutes by speedboat from the jetty. The red channel marker in the middle of the reef is the landmark: it stands above the water, so the site is easy to find, and its coral-covered base marks the centre of the reef.

Location

Site: Channel reef just off Peel Island, about 1 km north of Havelock (Swaraj Dweep)
Boat time: 5 to 10 minutes by speedboat from the jetty
Landmark: The red channel marker above the water, which gives the site its name

Conditions

Current: Usually mild to moderate, and strong at times because the reef sits in a channel; your instructor plans the dive around it
Visibility: Typically 6 to 9 metres, clearer on calm days
Water temperature: 26 to 29°C year-round
Beginner depth limit: 12 metres

Depth Profile

2.5 to 3 m Reef crest: coral garden, clownfish, fish schools

3 to 8 m Reef slope: angelfish, triggerfish, parrotfish

8 to 12 m Barrel sponges, sunken scooter and bicycle, beginner limit

Why Pick Red Pillar

Shallow start: the crest is only 2.5 to 3 metres deep, so you begin close to the surface
Short boat ride: 5 to 10 minutes from the jetty
Something different: the coral-covered scooter and bicycle, and barrel sponges you will not see at Nemo Reef

Red Pillar Scuba Diving: Frequently Asked Questions

No. Red Pillar is a beginner dive. You do not need a certification and you do not need to know how to swim. A certified RAID instructor stays with you one-to-one for the whole dive, after a 30-minute briefing and shallow-water practice. Certified divers can also dive Red Pillar as a fun dive.

Both include GoPro photos and videos of your dive. The standard package (₹4,000) is 30 minutes underwater. The Pro upgrade (+₹1,000 = ₹5,000) gives you an extra 15 minutes underwater, 45 minutes total, plus 10 extra photos and 2 extra videos.

The reef crest starts at 2.5 to 3 metres and the reef goes down to about 12 metres. Beginners go to a maximum of 12 metres, which reaches the barrel sponges and the coral-covered scooter and bicycle. Your instructor controls the depth and only takes you deeper when you are comfortable.

5 to 10 minutes by speedboat from the jetty. The whole experience, including the briefing, practice, boat ride and dive, takes about 2 to 2.5 hours.

Minimum age for a try dive is 10 years: shallow-water practice up to 5 m, then an open-water dive up to 12 m. Children aged 8 and 9 can do the RAID Try Dive Cadet in shallow water only, up to 2 m. There is no upper age limit. Everyone fills in a medical form, and you only need a doctor's sign-off if you answer yes to any medical question.

The listed price of ₹4,000 (standard) or ₹5,000 (Pro) is inclusive of GST, so the amount you see is the amount you pay. Your invoice shows the GST breakdown.

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Guest reviews of Frogman Adventures, Havelock Island

See why we are the top rated dive center in Andaman (Havelock) on Google & TripAdvisor

4.9/5

2,024 reviews

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dileep chavatoday

We had a wonderful and hassle free experience with frogman. Very friendly people and had a great time
sonali kumariyesterday

Must try .. awesome experience.. supportive staff .. thnku
Shailesh D2 days ago

Our visit to Havelock (Govind nagar Beach) with Frogman for scuba diving and snorkeling was an absolutely amazing experience. Everything was organized very well by Mr. Suchit Sir, who was present throughout the entire experience and made sure we were comfortable and safe at all times.
The team was extremely professional, supportive, and friendly. Safety was clearly their top priority, which made the whole experience even more enjoyable. Underwater, we saw beautiful corals and a wide variety of colorful fish in the deep sea it was truly a different and unforgettable world.
I sincerely thank the entire Frogman team and everyone who supported us during the activity. I would highly recommend Frogman to anyone visiting for scuba diving or snorkeling. Keep up the great work, guys!
Thank you, Frogman 🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸!
Shraddha Rathod2 days ago

It was an amazing experience for us.All the instructors and divers were patient teachers. They took us to exact spots where we got to see many corals and fishes.🥳
Dhruvi Rathod2 days ago

It's very wonderful. They show a different world that exists under our water in Havelock with Frogman. The staff is very experienced and helpful. Great time.
Prashant Kumar3 days ago

For Professional and cool scuba experience , these guys are awesome :)
Ranjani H G Vakoda4 days ago

We took early morning slot and the view was too good. Divers Bhaskar and Neelkanta took us for scuba diving in Andaman with Frogman. It was definitely a beginner friendly diving experience. Had an amazing time.
Sreya Ann Pius4 days ago

I’ve been scuba diving three times, and this was my second dive with Frogman. Once again, it was an amazing experience! Everything was absolutely worth every penny, and I couldn’t have asked for a better diving experience. Highly recommend Frogman to anyone looking to explore the underwater world. Definitely an experience worth having!
Jyoti Sharma4 days ago

best experience
Shishupal Tayade4 days ago

Nice place for scuba diving. Instructor is very nice. Nice trained persons..My experience is very nice. I will try again to come such a nice place.
Raj Mangal4 days ago

This is such a nice place for scuba diving and other under water activities. Staffs are very comparative and very helpful.
Thanks a lot of all frogman teams.
Rahul Arya4 days ago

I highly recommend scuba diving in Havelock Island with Frogman. The trainers are well trained and handled everything well if you have any kind of fear.

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 52 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Getaway37242087056 
 
 
 
 Verified Great experience!
It was a great experience! I’m scared of water but Neelkanth and James made sure we had a seamless and memorable time.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Vaibhav B 
 
 
 
 Verified Excellent Experience
It was an excellent experience. The trainers were very good.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Coastal03225447858 
 
 
 
 Verified Lighthouse scuba diving experience
It was a great experience. Instructors were patient enough to explain everything thoroughly. The divers also made us feel comfortable underwater and kept checking on us to see if all was okay. They showed beautiful scenic views. We enjoyed it very much. Would definitely recommend to others.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   tiredofwhat 
 
 
 
 Verified Happy about the decision to do scuba with Frogman
What an experience! We as a family enjoyed every bit of this activity. We did the lighthouse scuba dive. Never had the experience this close with the variety of fishes and corels. Must do while in Havelock and frogman makes scuba diving comfortable and relaxing. Founder Suchit is very professional and the instructors and divers are also very professional. They all know their responsibilities and passion. Neelkant, Ketan, Rubin and other divers were very patient and explained everything (does and don't) underwater. The team really makes u comfortable and tries to push themselves and us for an excellent experience. If time permits, will book this dive again. If not for sure next time.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Aditya P 
 
 
 
 Verified Fantastic first experience in scuba diving.
We had a wonderful experience with Frogman. We had Neelkanth and Ketan sir as our diving instructors. It was our first time trying it out. The pre-training was very clear. In the first 10 minutes open sea, I even had a panic reaction, but Neelkanth sir calmly got me to the surface and explained my mistake patiently, and we went back underwater, and it went all superbly well!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Sagar N 
 
 
 
 Verified Scuba diving
Amazing experience, Would recommend
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Sandeep K 
 
 
 
 Verified scuba with frogman
Awful experience...the divers are so good.Plzz try frogman once u never disappoint
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Quest60314418233 
 
 
 
 Verified Review of my scuba dive experience with frogman adventure
Experience was very good and the price was Good and the instructors were very responsible and it was the best experience of my life . A 10/10 life time experience ❤️
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   jayeshb08 
 
 
 
 Verified Best Scuba Experience with Frogman
It would highly recommend this business to go without any hesitation. We were 3 people and each one had 1 instructor with them. We got a 5 min training before the dive and then explored the underwater world. Saw fishes and corals and safety was well taken care off.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Srujan K 
 
 
 
 Verified Amazing deep dive experience
Amazing deep dive experience with Frogman in Havelock Island! 🌊🤿 The instructors were professional, friendly, and made me feel completely safe. The underwater views were absolutely breathtaking with beautiful corals and marine life. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Havelock! ✨