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The Lagoons at Lakshadweep are probably the biggest and the most spectacular under water zoo in the world. Exquisite coral formations, a large variety of fish, water snakes, manta rays, sting rays, moray eels and turtles make snorkelling and diving here an addictive experience. But if you thought that this experience was only limited to the experienced professional, there’s good news for you – even you can do it! 
Snorkelling: Alice in Wonderland
If you are a beginner contemplating a first-hand experience of water sports, don’t be deterred by visions of sky-high waves, howling winds, exacting requirements of uncommon endurance and skilful use of funky gadgetry. The peaceful sport of snorkelling would prove your fears unfounded. It is just after the heart of a nature lover who would like to glance beneath the water surface and acquaint himself with the wondrous marine life. The sport is also the best and the safest way to get initiated into the waters.
The snorkelling apparatus consists of a glass mask to cover the eyes and the nose, a snorkel (tube) to help you breathe and a set of fins to propel your body without using your hands. The mask is important, as vision tends to blur when you open your eyes under water. One end of the snorkel has a mouthpiece and the other protrudes out of the water. The body lies prone, just beneath the water surface with the head facing downwards.
Even if you are not a confident swimmer, you can snorkel with the help of a buoyancy aid. However, it takes a few hours of practice to get used to breathing through the snorkel. If possible, you should familiarise yourself with the mask and the correct breathing technique in a swimming pool. This way you will save valuable time and money and start your underwater observation right away.
The ideal places to go snorkelling in India are the Lakshadweep Islands. In particular, the limpid waters of the languorous lagoons in Lakshadweep are a dream world.
Scuba Diving: Of Men and Sharks
 For the curious, it is extremely difficult to resist the temptation of going down. Most of the marine life and coral formations are formed up to a depth of 40 to 50 metres since sunlight is critical for their development. But as we plunge deeper, it becomes difficult to breathe because of a drastic increase in pressure under water. Self Contained Under Water Breathing apparatus, better known by its acronym Scuba, was conceived by the legendary Cousteau as an answer to this problem. Apart from the mask and flippers used for snorkelling, add an oxygen cylinder with a pressure regulator, an air jacket and a weight belt and you are ready for a scuba diving expedition. The air jacket is kept deflated and is inflated only in an emergency for keeping afloat. The weight belt, on the other hand is required for going down by those who have a higher body volume compared to their weight. The size of your air cylinder determines the duration of your stay under water.
It was in the heavenly Bangaram in Lakshadweep that we received our first scuba diving lessons under the watchful eyes of the expert, Andreas.
 Perched precariously on a boat, we were about to embark on our first scuba diving adventure. Each of us had been through an assortment of adventurous activities, but this was to be the high water mark. The water surface was undulating, the wind calm. The sea held us spellbound. Andreas exhorted us to take the plunge. One after the other, we plunged headlong into the depths of the sea. What a world was this? Zillions of fish wriggling about! Marine organisms of all shapes and sizes! A baby octopus striving to strike the Nataraj posture! The feeling of weightlessness and the wet embrace of water is something that can’t be described in words. We were delighted and couldn’t seem to get enough of it. It was then that Andreas startled us all by announcing his intentions of showing us sharks during the next dive.
Confident of our ability to use the diving gear, Andreas reminded us of the emergency procedures and informed that sharks are not as dangerous as they are made out to be. But how could we forget the villains of the blockbuster, Jaws. Putting up a brave face, we left it on our instructor to have his way.
 Andreas seems to know the whereabouts of these dreaded sharks. We continued going deeper till we came across a ledge with huge rock overhangs. We were straining our eyes for exploring the inky nooks and corners when our wandering eyes fell on a resting shark. Our eyes popped out and we were transfixed with fear. The anxiety ridden moments made us forget the basics of diving and the use of flippers. We took a deep breath only to find ourselves going up towards the surface. In a moment of panic, we had inhaled too much air making out bodies buoyant – hence making the journey upwards.
During our subsequent visits there were many encounters with sharks but there never arose a moment of confrontation. In fact at times, slothful sharks seemed to be escorting us, almost taking us on a conducted tour of the fascinating under water seascape!
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