Tamil Nadu's dive sites sit in the Bay of Bengal and Palk Bay, concentrated around Tuticorin. The sites here are predominantly shallow reefs and seagrass beds, with depths running from just a few metres down to eighteen metres, making them accessible to beginners and intermediates. Tuticorin reefs such as Great Wall, Govind's Garden, and Green Mile mix coral structures with seagrass habitat. Palk Bay is noted for calm conditions and good visibility. Species recorded include green sea turtles, napoleon wrasse, day octopus, hairy frogfish, snake eels, and common seahorse. Water is warm throughout the year, peaking in the late pre-monsoon months.
Monthly water temperature across Tamil Nadu's sites, from satellite sea-surface data corrected for depth. The band shows the site-to-site spread.
Water temperatures are warm year-round, reaching their highest in the late pre-monsoon period and remaining comfortable through cooler months. Palk Bay's unique wind patterns mean the best season there runs from April to October, while other parts of Tamil Nadu are generally more settled from October to April.
Water temperature around Tamil Nadu ranges from about 27°C in January to 31°C in April, based on satellite sea-temperature data for its dive sites.
With water around 27–31°C, a rash guard or 3mm shorty works in Tamil Nadu year-round.
Fin maps 5 sites in Tamil Nadu (3 scuba diving sites and 1 snorkelling spots).
