North Bay turned into a hub of underwater celebration as the Department of Tourism, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, marked Women’s Dive Day 2025 with a series of dive events, marine clean-ups, and recognition of female divers. The event, held in collaboration with local dive associations and centres, focused on adventure tourism, gender inclusion, and marine sustainability.
Branded with the theme #DivingDivas, the celebration at North Bay was supported by North Bay Dive Club, Yogi Divers, Andaman Sea Wonders, and Dive Oceano. The programme also extended to Swaraj Dweep and Shaheed Dweep, ensuring island-wide participation and outreach. Dive centres offered complimentary diving sessions exclusively for women, aiming to increase female engagement in the adventure sport and support their representation in the underwater tourism ecosystem.
The day began with special diving sessions for women, supported by logistical arrangements from the participating dive clubs. These included transportation of diving gear, setting up of changing zones, and on-ground assistance for all attendees. The boat services from the Water Sports Complex ensured timely arrivals to the dive site.
Alongside diving activities, coordinated underwater clean-up missions were carried out at North Bay, Nemo Reef (Swaraj Dweep), and Shaheed Dweep. These clean-ups, led by women divers and instructors, were aimed at showcasing women’s role in environmental stewardship. Fifteen divers at Nemo Reef participated in a clean-up initiative, highlighting marine conservation in action.
Prominent figures graced the event at North Bay. The Superintendent of Police was present as the chief guest and took part in the diving activities alongside the participants. Zilla Parishad Member Mariam Bibi and Hope Town Pradhan Rashida were also present as special guests.
The event featured live diving demonstrations by experienced women instructors including Sayali Ranadive, Gayatri of Barefoot Scuba, and Sharmila. Their performances and interactions with aspiring divers were aimed at motivating more women to consider diving not only as a hobby but as a profession.
In recognition of their contributions, women instructors and club members were felicitated by the chief guest. The Tourism Department acknowledged the continuous efforts of local dive associations in supporting the diving industry and contributing to the conservation of the region’s fragile marine ecosystem.
Organisers highlighted that the event serves a dual purpose, fostering adventure tourism and advancing gender inclusivity in niche tourism sectors like scuba diving. The department expressed gratitude to all instructors, associations, and volunteers who worked behind the scenes to make the event successful.
The celebrations at Swaraj Dweep, held in partnership with PADI, SSI, and local dive centres, concluded with a call for sustained community engagement and environmental care. The enthusiasm among both new and experienced divers underscored growing interest in eco-conscious recreational tourism.
The event was not limited to sport and recognition. It sent out a strong message of empowerment, inviting women to step into roles traditionally underrepresented in the adventure tourism industry. Through training, recognition, and environmental participation, the celebration attempted to pave the way for greater gender balance in the sector.
As the sun set over North Bay, the event wound up with participants leaving with memories of marine exploration and shared commitment to the ocean. The Department noted that Women’s Dive Day 2025 marks a milestone in island tourism, setting the tone for more inclusive, sustainable, and adventurous events in the future.
