North Andhra’s Coastline Reveals 30 Scuba Dive Sites and Historic Wrecks

Divers who have explored these waters often speak of the emotional connection they feel with each site. Every location seems to tell its own unique story, making it nearly impossible to choose a favorite spot. Sites like Pudimadaka, Chintapalli, and Baruva alone encompass over 30 dive locations. Mapping them with GPS could significantly improve accessibility for tourists and adventure seekers.

For first-time scuba diving beginners, the Chintapalli site in Vizianagaram district and the Baruva site in Srikakulam are highly recommended. These locations offer safe diving conditions, rich marine biodiversity, and historical intrigue. The Chintapalli site is especially captivating, featuring two shipwrecks spread across 300 metres. Divers can explore decks, pipes, and engine parts that resemble a submerged village. One of the wrecks includes a large steam engine surrounded by fish, creating a surreal underwater experience. The origins of these wrecks remain unknown, though one vessel, approximately 150 meters long, is believed to be around 150 years old and possibly linked to Dutch or other European traders.

Baruva also hosts a historic shipwreck, discovered between 2017 and 2018. Historians believe it to be the British-era ship Chilka, which sank in 1917 while operated by the British India Navigation Company en route to Rangoon. The North Andhra coastline continues to surprise divers with coral reefs, rare fish species, and vibrant underwater vegetation. Visibility improves in deeper waters, revealing the full splendor of the ocean’s hidden world.