No passport needed: 3 places in India for a submarine experience

For those curious about life beneath the waves, India offers a handful of unique submarine experiences, despite the country's limited tourism options in this regard. The INS Kursura Submarine Museum in Visakhapatnam houses a decommissioned Indian Navy Foxtrot-class submarine and provides an authentic interior tour, albeit one that remains on land.

Visitors enter through hatches and traverse narrow passages to explore various sections of the submarine, including the control room, torpedo section, sonar, radar areas, and crew compartments. However, the submarine is permanently docked, making it a stationary exhibit rather than an underwater voyage. The museum rests closed on Mondays, with ticket prices set at Rs.

70 for adults, Rs. 40 for children under 12, Rs. 50 for still cameras, and Rs. 200 for video cameras.

On the other hand, the North Bay area in the Andaman Islands offers a semi-submarine ride that plunges passengers beneath the surface, providing a view of coral reefs and marine life through large glass windows. These vessels feature a viewing section that submerges while the boat remains on the surface, allowing passengers to sit behind substantial glass windows.

Tickets for this adventure are priced at around Rs. 3,000 per person for an hour-long experience. Lastly, Havelock Island, also in the Andaman Islands, presents a semi-submarine option with a submerged viewing cabin where guests can observe coral reefs and fish from large windows. Some tours depart from Elephant Beach, though specific routes and schedules may vary.

Like North Bay, these are not true submarines, as the vessel stays on the surface while the passenger cabin is submerged.