Ranked by water clarity, reef health, and operator safety record — not by Instagram visibility. North Bay reefs are beginner territory; Havelock and Neil need open-water certification.
Sequence by skill level — start at North Bay, progress to Elephant Beach, finish at Havelock's Lighthouse and Neil's Bharatpur. PADI dive shops cluster at Havelock; book direct, not through a Port Blair tour desk.
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