Overview
Eden represents the ultimate frontier of recreational diving in the Andaman Islands. This deep reef system, pristine and rarely visited, offers encounters with pelagic species and displays of untouched deep-water coral gardens that truly deserve the paradise reference in its name.
The Deep Frontier
Depth Zones
- 30-32m: Upper plateau with sea fans
- 32-35m: Main wall with caves
- 35-38m: Deep terrace
- 38-40m: Maximum recreational depth
- 40m+: Technical diving only
Technical Requirements
Mandatory Qualifications
- Minimum: Advanced Open Water + Deep Specialty
- Recommended: Rescue Diver
- Experience: 100+ logged dives
- Specialties: Nitrox certified (mandatory)
- Equipment: Full redundancy suggested
Sea Fan Paradise
Giant Gorgonians
Eden hosts the region's most spectacular sea fans:
- Size: Up to 4 meters across
- Colors: Purple, orange, yellow, red
- Density: 20+ fans per 100m²
- Health: Pristine condition
- Age: Some estimated 200+ years
Deep Coral Communities
- Black Coral: Rare white varieties
- Wire Coral: Spiral formations
- Soft Coral Trees: 2m tall specimens
- Barrel Sponges: Giants over 2m
- Deep-water Hard Corals: Unique species
Pelagic Encounters
Large Species
Rays
- Marble Rays: Up to 3m width
- Eagle Rays: Schools of 10-15
- Manta Rays: Seasonal visitors
- Mobula Rays: Rare encounters
- Torpedo Rays: Electric specialists
Sharks
- Grey Reef Sharks: Patrol the wall
- Whitetip Reef Sharks: Cave dwellers
- Hammerheads: Very rare but documented
- Silvertip Sharks: Deep water visitors
Game Fish
- Giant Trevally: 1.5m specimens
- Dogtooth Tuna: High-speed hunters
- Spanish Mackerel: Schools
- Barracuda: Massive individuals
- Rainbow Runners: Fast schools
Giant Groupers
- Malabar Grouper: Up to 2m
- Giant Grouper: Rare 100kg+ specimens
- Potato Cod: Friendly giants
- Honeycomb Grouper: Multiple individuals
The Wall
Vertical Architecture
- Drop: Near vertical 30-40m+
- Overhangs: Multiple cave systems
- Ledges: Resting spots at intervals
- Crevices: Hiding spots for big fish
- Swim-throughs: Advanced only
Deep Dive Planning
Critical Considerations
Bottom Time Management
- 30m: 20 minutes maximum
- 35m: 14 minutes maximum
- 40m: 8 minutes maximum
- Safety Stop: 5 minutes at 5m (mandatory)
- Deep Stop: 1 minute at 15m
Gas Planning
- Nitrox 32: For 30-33m
- Air: Emergency only
- Reserve: 70 bar minimum
- SAC Rate: Calculate beforehand
- Buddy Gas: Plan sharing scenarios
Currents & Conditions
Variable Challenges
- Current: 0-3 knots
- Direction: Unpredictable
- Downwellings: Possible
- Upwellings: Attract big fish
- Visibility: 15-30m
Marine Behavior
Deep Water Phenomena
Cleaning Stations
Deep cleaning stations at 35m:
- Large groupers lined up
- Manta cleaning (rare)
- Shark cleaning observed
- Trevally congregations
Hunting Activity
- Dawn: Tuna and trevally hunts
- Midday: Sharks patrol
- Dusk: Not recommended (depth)
Photography Challenges
Deep Photography Issues
- Light: Minimal ambient
- Colors: Blues and greys only
- Strobes: Essential
- Stability: Current affects shots
- Time: Very limited
Best Subjects
- Sea fan gardens
- Pelagic encounters
- Wide-angle reef scenes
- Diver silhouettes
Safety Protocols
Mandatory Procedures
- Dive Computer: Each diver
- SMB: Delayed deployment practice
- Buddy System: Strict adherence
- Deco Planning: Conservative approach
- Emergency Plan: Reviewed pre-dive
Emergency Preparedness
- O2 Kit: On boat
- First Aid: Advanced kit
- Evacuation Plan: Port Blair chamber
- Communication: Satellite phone
- Insurance: DAN recommended
Environmental Significance
Pristine Ecosystem
Eden remains untouched because:
- Depth: Natural protection
- Access: Limited divers qualified
- Currents: Challenging conditions
- Protection: Strict regulations
- Monitoring: Research site
Multiple Dive Strategy
Progressive Exploration
- Dive 1: Orientation, 30-32m
- Dive 2: Wall exploration, 35m
- Dive 3: Photography focus
- Surface Interval: Minimum 2 hours
Seasonal Considerations
- Nov-Feb: Calmest seas
- Mar-May: Manta season
- Jun-Sep: Closed (monsoon)
- Oct: Site reopens
Technical Extensions
For Tech Divers
Eden extends beyond recreational limits:
- 40-60m: Unexplored walls
- Caves: Deep systems
- Wrecks: Rumored deep wrecks
- Research: Ongoing projects
Conservation Priority
Eden is critical for:
- Deep reef research
- Climate change indicators
- Spawning aggregations
- Pelagic migrations
- Biodiversity preservation
