Scuba diving in Netrani Island is now trending, thanks to the promotion in the Kannada movie
"Gandhadhgudi". I had been planning this trip for a long time. Netrani Island is located near
Murudeshwar, almost 20 kilometers from the shore. During Christmas time, four of us friends
decided to visit. We booked our slot with Reef Adventures company.
We traveled to the island in a speedboat, which took one and a half hours to reach. As we set off,
we were treated to the mesmerizing sight of dolphins, although they vanished as the boat's sound
appeared. Wearing orange safety jackets and sunglasses, we found ourselves alone in the sea,
heading towards the island. As time passed, a large island slowly emerged from the horizon, and we
finally reached our destination. The surprising thing was how crystal clear the water was; we
could see the land below, even though it was 20 feet deep. The water had a dark greenish-blue hue,
and fishes were visible swimming around.
We transferred to a larger boat already waiting there and changed into our swimsuits. The
instructor gave us detailed instructions and taught us sign language, emphasizing its importance
for communication underwater. They provided us with big cylinders and water goggles, which felt
quite heavy. Slowly, one by one, we descended into the water, accompanied by divers.
Initially, I found it confusing to breathe properly underwater. Eventually, I adjusted and found
my rhythm, remembering to breathe through my mouth and only using my nose to unblock my ears due
to pressure differences. We explored the stunning underwater world, surrounded by peace and
tranquility, with only the sound of bubbles and breathing filling the silence. The fishes were
diverse in color and size, creating a vibrant underwater spectacle. We swam deeper, observing dead
coral reefs and a variety of marine life.
Divers captured our images as we posed underwater. I even spotted a zebra eel, but the diver
warned me not to disturb it due to its poisonous nature. After 25 minutes underwater, it was time
to resurface. Following scuba diving, we enjoyed unlimited swimming and snorkeling.
After removing our cylinders and donning life jackets, we jumped back into the water with
snorkeling gear. Despite not being able to go as deep without a life jacket, I still enjoyed
observing the fish from the surface. One particularly playful fish caught my attention, constantly
darting around me as I moved through the water.
As the time came to an end, we received biscuits and juices from the company. We sat on top of the
boat, enjoying our refreshments and occasionally feeding the fish. It was a delightful end to a
day filled with adventure. I believe that scuba diving from Netrani Island in India offers a
unique opportunity to explore natural coral reefs and marine life in crystal clear waters.
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