How Long to Wait Before Flying After Diving
Plan a surface day before Port Blair. SSI’s usual wait, why “I feel fine” is not enough, and how we build Havelock weeks around flights.
The plane is the issue
Dives put extra nitrogen in your body. A cabin is lower pressure than the beach. Going from the last tank to take-off too soon is a bad combination.
What we brief
SSI and most recreational teaching still use at least 18–24 hours after your last dive before flying — longer after a heavy week. We plan Havelock trips with a surface day, snorkel, or island time before you leave for Port Blair.
If the flight is Tuesday morning, Monday evening is not a dive. Tell us the outbound time when you enquire. We will not pack a dawn boat against a same-day fly-out.
“It was shallow,” “I feel fine,” and “the group is going” do not change the wait.
Trip shape: trips. Season: when to dive. Flights: contact.