Dive gear and scuba courses at 50% off


sale extended

 

Planet Scuba India turns 12 this year.

To celebrate, we have announced our Big Anniversary Sale, with up to 50% off on dive gear and scuba courses.

Yes, you heard that right. We have slashed our prices so you can stay safe during Covid-19 by diving with your own scuba equipment. The good news is that scuba diving in India has already begun in a few places. And, it is only a matter of time before you leap into the blue again.

SHOP NOW, PAY LATER FOR DIVE GEAR & SCUBA COURSES

What’s better than getting a 50% discount? Not having to pay the entire amount in one go. Our EMI facility at Planet Scuba India ensures  you pay for your already discounted dive gear in installments. We can’t think of a more enticing reason to pick up new scuba gear or sign up for your PADI dive course right now!

Get in touch with us on +91-9686446033 or email us at holidays@planetscubaindia.com for more details on our EMI option.

15% OFF ON PADI COURSES IN INDIA

Learn scuba diving in India. Stay ahead of the curve by finishing the theory sessions of your PADI course, and be the first to jump into the ocean. We are offering 15% discount on: 

Fill out our contact form here or drop us an email at holidays@planetscubaindia.com and we will get right back to you. Keep an eye out for our next blog on fun PADI contests and giveaways coming soon.

BIG ANNIVERSARY SALE

New offers on dive equipment from Aqua Lung, Apeks, Omersub and Ocean Technology Systems coming up every 10 days from August 22 – September 30, 2020. Make sure you save this link and check in later if you don’t see the discount on the dive equipment you wish to purchase right now.

Anniversary Sale of Apeks dive gear in India

August 22-31, 2020

20% OFF ON DIVE GEAR

  • Masks, including the Ocean Technology Systems (OTS) full face mask
  • Fins
  • Booties
  • Wetsuits
  • Rashguards
  • Dive computers
  • Select BCDs: Dimension, Zuma, Pro HD, Black Ice
  • Select regulators: Mikron, XTX40, XTX50, XTX200

15% OFF ON DIVE GEAR

  • Apeks Sidemount sets: XTX50 regulator kit, WSX 25 sidemount harness

September 1-10, 2020

30-50% OFF ON DIVE GEAR

  • Select Aqua Lung Legend regulator sets
  • Dive pointer sticks

20% OFF ON DIVE GEAR

  • Masks
  • Dive computers
  • Surface Marker Buoys
  • Reels
  • Reef hooks
  • Dive torches
  • Dive knives

September 11-20, 2020

30-50% OFF ON DIVE GEAR

  • Select Aqua Lung Legend dive bags

20% OFF ON DIVE GEAR

  • Fins
  • Booties
  • Wetsuits
  • Rashguards
  • BCDs: Zuma, Pro HD
  • Regulators: XTX40, XTX50, XTX200

September 21 -30, 2020 

LAST IN STOCK OFFER: 30 – 50% OFF 

We extended our biggest Anniversary sale ever till September 30, 2020. Now get 50% off on select fins, masks, wetsuits, rashguards, dive computers, regulators and other dive gear. 

Download the products list here: PLANET SCUBA INDIA – LAST IN STOCK OFFER

View all products and specifications at Divestock.in

We promise some great deals in the coming days too. Message us on +91-9686446033 for more information or any queries you may have. View or download our dive equipment catalog from the links below:
Aqua Lung &amp Apeks Catalogue (.pdf)
OTS, Aqua Lung Snorkeling Catalogue (.pdf)

Diving equipment in India: Buy vs Rent!


India diving equipment Aqua Lung and Apeks

 

It is a common dilemma: should you buy your own scuba diving equipment in India or continue renting your dive gear. If you think you’d like to buy scuba gear, you may be asking yourself: ‘when is the right time to buy?’ Or ‘which dive equipment is the most important to purchase first?’ Or even, ‘is it more essential to buy now due to Covid-19?’

Buying your own scuba diving equipment is an investment. Hence, it is important to look at all of the options before making a decision that is right for you personally. After all, there is no one universal answer. But there are some good guidelines to help you reach your decision. Here are some pros, cons and suggestions for both new and experienced scuba divers to help you navigate your way around the scuba diving equipment store!

 

Buying vs renting scuba diving equipment in India

It is not necessary to have your own scuba diving equipment if you plan on going diving with a certified dive center. However, there are some exceptions such as:

  • Professional divers who may be required to have their own scuba gear for work
  • Divers who have special fitting requirements
  • Scuba adventurers planning trips to remote destinations (or on some liveaboards) that require you to supply at least your own basics dive equipment. These include mask, snorkel, fins and wetsuit.

It is not imperative to buy scuba equipment due to Covid-19. However, everyone has different comfort levels regarding buying versus renting. If you do not feel comfortable renting gear, you may wish to purchase key items such as a mask, snorkel, regulator mouthpiece, rashguard and wetsuit. Today, most scuba divers in India, and even snorkelers, prefer owning at least the key dive equipment. Quite a few scuba divers in India are even choosing to purchase their own regulators right now. 

On the other hand, if you feel comfortable renting dive gear, you should check the precautions your chosen dive center is taking to prevent the spread of Covid-19 via their rental equipment. The Divers Alert Network (DAN) has published guidelines for dive centers. It details how to care for rental gear and how to correctly disinfect equipment between uses.

At Planet Scuba India, we not only meet these guidelines, we exceed them! We are taking the utmost safety measures to disinfect our equipment. Both our rental scuba gear, as well as dive equipment that is being serviced by us. (You can find additional details here.) 

 

Planet Scuba India dive equipment

 

The pros of buying your own dive gear

There are numerous plus points to owning your own dive gear, these include:

1. Comfort & fit

When you buy your own scuba gear, you’ll take some time trying on different sizes and styles. You will make sure that you get the fit that is most comfortable for you. This is important – a badly fitting rental BCD or a leaking mask can really take away from your diving enjoyment.

2. Safety through familiarity

When you have your own dive equipment, you get familiar with it. You know exactly where everything is, which increases your safety. Your SMB is always in the same pocket. You know where you have hooked your alternate air source. And it is easy to locate your other accessories.

3. Long-term savings

Equipment rental prices can vary considerably, depending on where you are diving. When going on longer dive holidays, gear rental can make a sizable difference to the overall cost of your trip. Especially if you are planning on diving every day.
At Planet Scuba India, our PADI courses (up to and including PADI Rescue Diver) include equipment rental in the price.

4. Trust

Owning your diving equipment in India, or anywhere else in the world, means that you know its service history. Since you alone are using it, you know that it has been well looked after. At Planet Scuba India, all of our rental gear is either new or well-maintained. We follow a thorough maintenance schedule. We are an Aqua Lung Partner Dive Center. This means we have trained technicians on site to service Aqua Lung, Apeks and the other equipment brands we represent. You can rest assured that your scuba gear is being professionally serviced.

5. The right item for the job

Some divers have specific scuba equipment requirements, which may not be guaranteed if you are renting. For example, an underwater photographer may need large BCD pockets to store interchangeable wet lenses. You often have limited options when renting gear. It is best to buy your own dive equipment to avoid being disappointed. Especially if you have special requirements. 

6. Multi-purpose

Not all diving gear is only for scuba diving. Your mask, snorkel and fins double up as snorkeling gear for your next beach holiday. Wetsuits can be used for other water sports. Rashguards can be used while swimming in the pool to avoid sunburn. Many dive computers also include free-diving modes.

7. Dive computers

Each dive computer has different settings, buttons, menus, functions and algorithms. It can be both frustrating and time consuming to try and figure out a different model of rental computer each time you go diving. More importantly, it can also potentially compromise your safety. More so if you do not fully understand the information on the display. Owning your own dive computer means you will get to know how it works. Also all of the dives stored in its memory will be your own dives. Many computers also link up to apps and/or your laptop so you can transfer your logged dives instantly.

 

The pros of renting your scuba gear

Aqua Lung scuba diving equipment in India

1. Baggage allowance

Consider your baggage allowance if you are planning on going diving on holidays. Some airlines provide additional allowance for scuba gear. However, if they don’t, you could be charged for excess baggage at the airport. That said, quite a few companies have come out with lightweight scuba gear that’s perfect for travel.

2. Different locations, different requirements

That 3mm shortie you love may be great when you are scuba diving in India or in the tropics. But what about when you travel to cooler waters?!

3. Maintenance & servicing

You need to look after your scuba equipment, and this extends beyond rinsing it after diving. Dive computers need battery changes. BCD inflator hoses need to be cared for. Regulators need servicing and parts (especially O-rings) need replacing periodically. We, at Planet Scuba India, are currently offering free servicing on Aqua Lung and Apeks diving equipment in India. So that you can take that giant leap into the blue without stressing about your gear. For details, click here.

4. Storage

You will need somewhere to store your equipment at home when you are not using it. This should be somewhere cool and dry, where it can be hung up or laid flat.

5. Try before you buy

Here’s the kicker with scuba gear: in most dive stores, you can try the gear on in the shop, but not in the water! One way around this is to note down the rental gear that you really like. Record the manufacturer and model name (and size) and start creating a wishlist.

6. Finances

There is no way around this one; buying a full set of gear is a big investment.

Important: If you decide to buy your own scuba gear, only buy it from a reputable dealer and follow the manufacturers’ instructions. Keep your receipts, warranties, guarantees.

 

Scuba India dive equipment

 

Scuba diving equipment in India & Covid-19

To ensure the safety of our staff and scuba divers, at Planet Scuba India, we have implemented additional disinfection measures post the onset of Covid-19, especially with regards to our rental equipment. All rental equipment will be thoroughly disinfected after each use. The entire regulator system including the primary and the alternate air source will be disinfected, as will the BCD oral inflator and the internal bladder.

For scuba divers who prefer to purchase their own equipment, we have a well-stocked dive store comprising the best scuba diving equipment in India, from the best brands from around the world. Our experienced staff are on hand to offer any advice regarding fit, suitability and compatibility of your scuba gear purchase.

Have some more questions about diving equipment in India? Simply drop us an email at holidays@planetscubaindia.com or sales@planetscubaindia.com.  You could also just fill in our online contact form here, and we will get right back to you!

We look forward to diving with you soon!

Text: Sarah Wormland, PADI (with inputs from Planet Scuba India)

India scuba diving & other fascinating facts


scuba diving in India

Scuba diving in India is still at a nascent stage. This is mostly because only a small percentage of Indians have taken that giant leap and joined the dive club. That said, most non-divers are as intrigued by the underwater world. As a scuba diver, you have definitely been asked some, or most, of these questions: What does scuba mean? Do you breathe oxygen underwater? Are corals as colorful in reality as they are in pictures? Have they really found the lost city of Dwarka, and can you dive there?

You can find the answer to all these questions here, along with some more fun facts about scuba diving in India. Also we have interesting tidbits about diving in general, which you may not have known.

 

Scuba is an acronym.

It stands for ‘self-contained underwater breathing apparatus’.

 

In 1943, the first scuba gear was invented.

By Jacques Cousteau. It was called Aqua Lung. Currently, one of the top scuba diving equipment companies in the world.

 

Divers breathe compressed air underwater.

No, not oxygen. In fact, breathing oxygen under pressure is toxic. The scuba diving cylinder contains the normal air you breathe on land, which is 79% nitrogen and 21% oxygen.

 

India scuba diving

 

Colors fade underwater.

This is because water absorbs light. Water absorbs different wavelengths of light to different degrees. The first to fade is red. Next to follow is orange, then yellow… This is why your blood looks greenish-black underwater. It is also why corals don’t appear as colorful as they are in pictures. Well, until you point the light from your dive torch at them.

 

Only 5% of the oceans have been explored.

The final frontier is not just space, but also our own oceans. Approximately 95% of the world’s oceans still remains a mystery to us.

 

 

The Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench is the deepest point in the ocean.

It is about 10,944 metres below sea level. No chance of scuba diving there. But it was first explored in 1960 by Jacques Piccard and Don Walsh.

 

The world’s deepest scuba dive is at 332.35 metres.

Or 1,090 feet and 4.5 inches to be exact. Ahmed Gabr broke the Guinness World Record for the deepest scuba dive in 2014. Then 41-year-old, he set this world record in the Red Sea, off the coast of Dahab, Egypt.

 

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

 

For scuba diving in India, only a fraction of our 7,500-kilometre coastline has been explored.

The Andamans and Lakshadweep are two of the best-known destinations for scuba diving in India. But there’s also good diving in Goa, Netrani, Pondicherry, Chennai, Rameshwaram…

 

Scuba diving in India at Dwarka has been on every avid diver’s bucket list.

Ever since marine scientists discovered archaeological remains underwater, off the Gulf of Khambhat, on the west coast of India. Rumor has it that the discovery might change history as we know it. And that the remains lying underwater here are allegedly 9,000 years old.

 

You can begin your scuba training at age 10.

The PADI Junior Open Water Diver certification allows young divers to dive with a PADI professional or certified parent or guardian to the depth of 12 metres.

9 ways to responsibly scuba dive in India


 

scuba dive in india

 

Being a responsible scuba diver is important wherever you are diving. But it’s even more so in India because of our dense population. The great news about being a responsible scuba diver is that it has a major feel-good factor, and together we can make a difference and raise awareness – all of which leads to healthier dive sites and the ongoing development of scuba diving in India. Here are some tips to responsibly scuba dive in India, how they help in your underwater adventure, and how they can help you in your daily life too!

 

1. Get certified to scuba dive in India

If you want to scuba dive, get certified! This not only increases your personal safety underwater, it also means you’ll learn about how to dive to limit your impact on the coral reef and marine life. This in turn means that dive sites stay preserved for you and other divers to enjoy, dive after dive. If you are not certified to dive, sign up for the PADI Open Water Diver Course – you can even start learning online from home now! Once you are a certified diver, you’ll be recognized as such by dive centers all around the world. Yes, you will have more places to explore and more buddies to meet and dive with!

 

2. Don’t touch coral reef or marine life

Did you know that corals are living animals? You need to treat corals with the same respect you would give other creatures. Touching corals can not only lead to nasty stings, but you can actually infect the reef. Contamination from humans can be deadly for coral reefs, and for the fish living there. Hard coral is often covered with a thin layer of live tissue which protects it. When touched by humans, this layer gets damaged. The basic rules of sustainable scuba diving are: (1) don’t touch the corals and (2) don’t take any corals or shells out of the ocean.

 

scuba dive in india

3. Be in control of your movements

Having good control underwater comes through proper training and supervised practice. If you are not a certified diver, sign up for a Discover Scuba Diving program. You’ll learn some basic skills to keep you and the reef safe, followed by an amazing dive in the ocean with an instructor. If you want to get certified, take the Open Water Diver Course and commit to learning to scuba dive in India. Want to develop your diving skills further? Why not take the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course? Being in control of your movements makes you look more accomplished underwater and you’ll also be ensuring the longevity of the reef by not making contact with it. As an ‘in control’ diver, beginners will look up to you and follow your example.

 

4. Maintain good buoyancy

Divers with good buoyancy control are looked up to wherever they dive. Be a good role model with excellent diving skills, and you’ll gain the respect of your buddies in no time. Good buoyancy control also means that your air will last longer so you can dive for longer. You’ll be able to avoid crashing into a reef or making contact with the bottom. Also, you’ll also be able to maneuver better, which means you can get closer to the marine life and corals. You’ll reduce your stress and anxiety levels in the process as well. Say hello to more relaxing and comfortable dives.

 

dive equipment in india with planet scuba india

 

5. Invest in the right equipment 

Scuba diving in India is still a relatively new activity. There’s yet an element of ‘cool-ness’ attached to it. You have to have the right equipment if you want to look and feel great underwater. And it has to fit correctly! Over-sized gear or a too-snug fit are both uncomfortable and unsafe. Ask us about which scuba diving equipment you should have and how it should fit for the best performance. If your gear isn’t the right size for you, you’ll struggle with buoyancy and are more likely to damage the reef, since your focus remains on your gear and not on your surroundings. All your scuba gear needs to be tucked away. Nothing should be trailing or dangling, as it can cause to damage to the reef or even lead to entanglement.

 

6. Don’t pollute the water

For the sake of both land and marine species, it is increasingly important today to be responsible and try your best to reduce your environmental footprint. Never throw trash, even organic, in the ocean. Pick up any trash you see while diving, and others will follow your example. Role model good behavior at home too. Try to reduce your use of plastic by using eco-bags for your shopping and think twice about buying items that are overly packaged. In India, we generate a huge amount of plastic waste. Be a trailblazer and get active on social media about what you are doing to reduce your own plastic consumption.

 

diving in india with planet scuba india

 

7. Educate yourself and others

The more people know about something, the greater their interest in protecting it. Learn about corals and marine life and share your findings with others. Not only will you impress them with your knowledge, but you’ll also help create a new generation of educated Indian scuba divers who, like you, want to protect our amazing underwater world.

 

8. Be an ocean advocate

Being a scuba diver is not just about what we do when we are diving in India. It’s about our behavior at home too. Be a diver everyday by becoming aware of global issues such as climate change and overfishing. Join online conservation groups and be a leading voice on social media. We all know the power of people, so help start a wave of awareness and change!

 

9. Promote scuba diving in India

Share you underwater pictures and talk with your friends, family and neighbors about your adventures and experiences when scuba diving in India. The more Indian divers there are, the more powerful our collective voice becomes.

Are you ready to put these points into action? Get started by booking a PADI scuba diving course, or your next dives now! Contact us via our online contact form or send us an email to: holidays@planetscubaindia.com

 

— BY SARAH WORMALD, PADI

The best diving holiday of 2018 in Magical Maldives


Sharks – Magical Maldives 2018 – David Loh

Horizon 3 liveaboard - Magical Maldives 2018 - Udit Sheth Happy divers - Magical Maldives 2018 - David Loh

10th-anniversary-logoWhat happens when on the initial day of your scuba diving holiday itself you see manta rays and dozens of white tip and grey reef sharks? Well, the stakes just get higher for the dive guides. But then again, this is the Maldives! The tropical paradise made up of 26 atolls, with some of the best scuba diving sites in the world. And every dive here is simply spectacular.

 

Scuba diving holiday in Magical Maldives

For Planet Scuba India, this was our third trip to the Maldives in 2018. And, come to think of it, it seemed like each diving holiday was trying to supersede the previous one. This time around, our liveaboard of choice was the Horizon 3. From October 7-13, this luxury liveaboard was home to 23 guests of different nationalities—Indians, Singaporeans, Taiwanese, Malaysians. Including two divers from India completing their PADI Open Water Diver course. They then went on to complete their PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course, along with three other scuba divers from India.

This diving holiday also had a couple of non-divers (who enjoyed themselves just as much, if not more) and some of the best photographers. You need only take a look at the pictures to nod in agreement.

It was six fun-filled days of eat, sleep and dive! And, of course, swapping of hilarious, unforgettable scuba diving adventures.

Here are some of the highlights of one of our best diving holidays in the Maldives.

 

The Manta show

First dive of the day at Lankan Manta point. This dive site, at the southeastern outer reef of Lankanfinolhu Island, is one of the most popular cleaning stations for manta rays in North Male Atoll. And, as luck would have it, on the day of our dive, the manta rays showed up in all their magnificent glory. We took a giant stride off the dive dhoni, descended a few meters, and gasped in awe (well, as much as one can gasp with regulator in mouth), as a manta ray elegantly swam past. Not knowing then that this was just a prelude of what was to come a few minutes later. Our dive guide led us to the coral blocks of the cleaning station. And, lo behold, heads swiveled in every direction as mantas glided in, out, and around in circles.

Here’s the thing about cleaning stations: they are a riot of colors. It is not just the mantas vying for attention but brightly hued cleaner fish, vibrant corals, and a motley of sea creatures. There is just so much to take in that you rue the fact that your neck isn’t able to turn more than 90 degrees. Just how are you supposed to see the cuttlefish whooshing past behind your back, when you eyes are so intensely trained on the spectacular subjects in front of you?!

 

Mantas come calling

Subjects that came to visit us later that night. Bang at dinnertime! Who cares about food when you can watch a manta ray circle around the back of your boat instead. Well, to be fair, it was dinnertime for the mantas too. And one somersaulted away, mouth agape, sieving marine organisms out of the water and into its stomach. Round and round it went, as 23 heads (more if you count the crew) stuck out of the sides of the boat watching in fascination. That is, till it had had its fill and glided away as surreptitiously as it had appeared.

 

Shark tale

Bathala Maaga Kanthila, North Ari Atoll. Even though this dive site, which we visited right after the underwater manta ray spectacle, had grey reef and white tip sharks. Not to forget, schools of yellowback fusiliers and a huge Napoleon wrasse that stole the show. It was the dive at Fish Head at North Ari Atoll that remains etched in our memory. Perhaps it was the story that did it for us. As our dive guide, Marko, told us during the briefing that at one time this was a famous fishing spot. But when the fishermen reeled in their catch, all they got was the heads of the fish. The sneaky sharks had eaten up the rest. Or perhaps it was the dive site itself. With its multiple ledges and picturesque overhangs replete with fan corals and abundant fish life.

Again, just a few meters and a few minutes into the dive, we spotted sharks right below us. Our dive guide took us on a detour, around one ledge and onto another below it. Having us swim stealthily to not disturb the unfolding drama. Sharks darted around, remoras in tow, while parrotfish hid in crevices in corals. And clownfish peeked out of anemones. Crustaceans moved a centimeter at a time to not be spotted.

It was 45 minutes of spying on sharks. Eyes wide in wonderment; cameras trained at the action. Grey reef sharks and white tip sharks, and also barracudas—all the predators at their A-game. Little wonder then that Fish Head, also known as Shark Point or Mushimasmingili Thila, is listed as one of the most famous dive sites in the world.

 

Night dive with nurse sharks

We just can’t get enough of sharks. Especially on night dives. Two months later, we were back during this diving holiday too to be bumped into by nurse sharks. Simply put, the dive at Alimatha Jetty, Vaavu Atoll, offers an adrenaline rush like no other. And to think that all you need to do is kneel on a sandy bottom. While nurse sharks, stingrays, travellies whip around you foraging for food. If we had to bet on a species, it would be the crafty travellies, who gulped down the food faster than the nurse sharks and stingrays could wonder: ‘where the heck did it go?’. It was a surreal experience that no amount of photographs or videos could do justice to. Though the ace photographers did manage to capture little snippets of the frenzy.

Back at the boat after the dive, and the nurse sharks came visiting. Who would have thought that after all the action underwater, there would still be so much excitement to see them. Cameras were whipped out. Facebook Lives were posted. Frantic video calls were made to friends to gloat about what they were missing.

Alimatha night dive - sharks - Magical Maldives 2018 - David Loh Alimatha sting ray - Magical Maldives 2018 - David Loh 

 

Whale shark frenzy

There’s only one thing in the Maldives that can get divers into the water faster than you can blink. And that’s the much-awaited sound of someone screaming: ‘whale shark’! On this diving holiday, we snorkeled to see one just after our dive at Dhigurah Beyru, South Ari Atoll; a dive site that counts whale shark encounters as one of its highlights. It was a mad jumble of divers, cameras and fins, as a lonesome whale shark swam calmly, feeding its way through the waters. Seemingly oblivious to the mayhem unfolding above, for just a glance of it.

 
Divers and snorkellers whale shark at Magical Maldives 2018 Whale shark at Magical Maldives 2018

 

The UMS

Colloquially, UMS, or usual Maldivian stuff, is a term used to describe everything from soft corals to giant turtles. That’s because every dive in the Maldives reveals spectacular sights and secrets. Marble rays hunting together. Octopuses, tentacles intertwined, in a sort of a love-hate dance. Mantis shrimp peeking out from its coral den. Scorpionfish in perfect camouflage waiting for its prey. Turtles gorging themselves silly on sponges. Sweetlips hanging out under overhangs. Moray eels getting spruced up by banded coral cleaner shrimps. Shoals of glassfish darting in and out of a wreck. Feather starfish climbing over hard corals. Stingrays swimming in and out of camera range. Schools of bannerfish, yellowback fusiliers, batfish, red snappers just going about their day underwater. And a liveabord full of happy divers. ‘Coz you just couldn’t ask for a better diving holiday destination than the Maldives.

 

Charles & the octopus - Magical Maldives 2018 - David Loh Marble ray - Magical Maldives 2018 - David Loh Feather star - Magical Maldives 2018 - Madhava Reddy Scorpionfish - Magical Maldives 2018 - Madhava Reddy Fan coral - Magical Maldives 2018 - David Loh Sting ray - Magical Maldives 2018 - Madhava Reddy

Happy divers 2 - Magical Maldives 2018 - David Loh