Rutland Island – South Andaman Dive Site

Site Overview

Rutland Island is South Andaman most exciting offshore dive destination offering an exposed reef environment where stronger currents bring abundant nutrients that attract impressive pelagic species and support healthy coral ecosystems far from the more sheltered diving areas around Port Blair and the Marine National Park islands. The offshore reef system descends from 8 meters along the reef crest to a maximum depth of 28 meters across dramatic reef slopes, wall sections, and coral bommie formations that create diverse habitats for both reef-dwelling and pelagic marine species in the clear Andaman Sea waters. Grey reef sharks patrol the deeper wall sections while giant trevally and schooling barracuda hunt along the reef perimeter creating adrenaline-charged pelagic encounters on every dive. Eagle rays glide between the reef formations during the seasonal migration from January to April and napoleon wrasse cruise the shallower reef slopes investigating the coral formations. The exposed offshore location means that currents are typically stronger than at the sheltered Marine National Park sites but this brings the nutrients that sustain healthier coral growth and attract the largest concentration of pelagic species found in the South Andaman diving area. The combination of exciting pelagic encounters, varied reef topography, and the adventure of diving at a remote offshore location makes Rutland Island the premier advanced dive site for experienced divers seeking big animal encounters in the South Andaman region.