(March 14, 2026) In early 2011, Vinod Bondi travelled from Andhra Pradesh to Chennai for a week to visit friends. When they had to leave unexpectedly for a conference, he found himself with time on his hands in the sweltering summer heat. Seeking some respite, he walked into a nearby internet café and began browsing for travel ideas in the region.
One of the first websites he stumbled upon was Barefoot Holidays. When he spoke to their team, they suggested he travel to the Andaman Islands to explore the waters and perhaps try snorkelling. Vinod agreed almost immediately and soon set off for Havelock Island, about 70 kms from Port Blair. What was meant to be a one-week trip soon stretched into four months of diving. During that time, he enrolled in the PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) Open Water Diver course. Ever since, Vinod has been scuba diving across India and international dive sites.
“At first, it was the sense of adventure that drew me in. But soon, I fell in love with the ocean and felt the need for more people to see what’s down there,” smiles the scuba diver and acclaimed instructor, in a chat with Global Indian. Having started out as an instructor in 2012, Vinod went on to become the Regional Manager (India & Sri Lanka) of PADI — the world’s largest scuba diving organisation — in April 2024.
Diving across the Andamans and international waters
Much of Vinod’s diving career has been split between India and overseas locations. Having held various positions at Barefoot Scuba — from Divemaster to Manager, he dove extensively in the Andaman Islands, the Cayman Islands, and the Maldives. In addition, he has worked for shorter periods and freelanced at several other locations.
The Andaman Islands remain particularly special to him. “They have some of the richest fish life I have encountered, and I particularly enjoy macro diving there,” he mentions.
Barren Island and a famous elephant
One of the most exceptional dive sites Vinod has experienced lies around Barren Island, home to India’s only active volcano.“I was fortunate to explore it extensively and log over 100 dives there.”
Another unforgettable experience in the Andamans involved diving with Rajan, the famous swimming elephant. “Because I was a regular and reliable guide, I often started dives earlier than most. That gave me the opportunity to dive with Rajan more than almost anyone else,” says the renowned scuba diver, who has trained thousands of divers.
Learning from the Cayman Islands
At the Cayman Islands in the western Caribbean, Vinod worked with ‘Go Pro Cayman’ as a Manager and Training Coordinator. “Cayman has played a huge role in shaping recreational scuba diving. It has contributed immensely to the growth of the sport over the decades,” he informs.
Many industry firsts, he says, originated there. “The wall dives are some of the best in the world, and diving sites associated with legends of scuba diving like Bon Soto and Ron Kipp made it an inspiring place to work,” says Vinod, whose focus there was primarily on professional-level training.
Magical waters of the Maldives
Vinod later worked at Pullman Maldives as the Dive Centre and Watersports Manager. “Diving the Kooddoo Channel in Gaafu Alifu Atoll was truly magical, with incredible drift dives and frequent shark encounters. These dives stand out as some of the absolute highlights of my entire diving career.” While there have been moments that demanded respect for the conditions and environment, Vinod says those situations reinforced the importance of preparation, awareness, and calm decision-making — skills that have shaped him both as a diver and as a professional.
The joy of switching off underwater
For Vinod, scuba diving is also a way to completely switch off from the pressures of everyday life. “I wish I could dive longer than human physiology allows without complications.” The feeling of weightlessness, he says, combined with the possibility of an unexpected sighting at any moment, is unlike almost any other experience in life. “Scuba diving transforms both the body and the mind, bringing calm, focus, and a deep connection with nature that few other activities can offer.”
Rethinking common misconceptions
Vinod says a common misconception is that scuba diving is an activity reserved only for adrenaline junkies. “In contrast to our fast-moving urban lives, scuba diving offers the chance to slow down, breathe deeply, move gently, and truly observe your surroundings.”
A rare chance to disconnect
For city dwellers constantly surrounded by noise, screens, and schedules, drifting through the quiet ocean becomes a rare opportunity to disconnect and reset. “Diving also helps connect with a community of like-minded people who share a love for the ocean,” says Vinod. Two divers, he points out, can enter the same water, follow the same route, and encounter the same marine life — yet surface with entirely different impressions of what the dive meant to them.
The mental health benefits of diving
There are no easy labels for the experience that diving provides. What remains consistent, however, is its impact. “For many, a single dive is enough to change how they see the ocean — and the world — and it often becomes a story retold repeatedly.”
Simply being in the water, he says, is scientifically proven to improve mental health, and most people surface from a dive happier than when they went in. “Not to mention the appeal of being part of a growing global community.”
Growing up in coastal Andhra Pradesh
Born in the small fishing village of Matchalesam, Kalingapatnam, in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, Vinod learnt to swim early — as did most villagers, many of whom eventually joined the Merchant Navy. “Although I am not a fast swimmer, I can swim long distances and for extended periods,” says Vinod, whose two brothers are in the Merchant Navy.
Growing up, he never really had the opportunity to focus on sports. “Academically, I was particularly strong in Physics,” says Vinod, who studied at Snow White Vidyalayam in Kalingapatnam until 2001. He later attended Shantiniketan in Gunapalem, Srikakulam town, where he completed Class 10 in 2004.
Between 2004 and 2006, he pursued his Intermediate education (MPC stream) at Narayana Junior College in Srikakulam. After completing his Diploma in Nautical Science at Tolani Maritime Institute, Talegaon, Pune (2006–2007 batch), Vinod followed in the footsteps of his brothers and joined the Merchant Navy.
Sailing across the world
He sailed as a Cadet and Deck Officer under training on four different Merchant Navy vessels with Anglo Eastern Ship Management Pvt Ltd. In 2009, he spent six months aboard MV Saga Viking, a forest carrier and gantry vessel, sailing from South America to Europe.
In 2010, he sailed for five months aboard MV MSC Belem, a container vessel, travelling to the United States and Canada. He also spent five months on MT Unique Sunshine, a product tanker that operated between Europe and the Middle East (2010–2011), and three months aboard MV Federal St. Laurent, a general bulk carrier sailing between the Canadian Arctic and the Great Lakes.
Scuba diving in India versus the West
In the West, says Vinod, scuba diving is a mature industry that is deeply integrated into the local economy. “In India, however, it is still largely viewed as a holiday activity rather than a lifestyle sport.” As an adventure sport, scuba diving carries inherent risks that are expected and accepted. “However, when conducted safely, it is actually safer than most other adventure sports.”
India’s vast unexplored underwater world
Vinod believes the vast majority of India’s underwater world remains unexplored. “Even in well-known hubs such as the Andamans and Lakshadweep, countless dive sites remain untouched.”
According to him, the Indian scuba industry is still in its infancy, but its potential for growth is staggering. “In our society, learning to swim is often treated as a privilege rather than a basic life skill. This is not something that will change overnight,” he says, highlighting the need for administrative policies that create a supportive environment for adventure businesses to thrive.
Encouraging young people to pursue their passions
Vinod believes parents should move beyond the traditional ‘doctor-engineer’ mindset and recognise that diverse professions are valid career paths.
Work–life balance, he adds, is equally important for people to pursue the passions they truly love. “While these ideas may seem unconventional, I believe we need to break these societal barriers,” says Vinod, who looks forward to the day when India becomes a hub for manufacturing diving equipment and develops a world-class liveaboard diving industry of its own.
Promoting scuba diving across India
Vinod’s daily routine varies depending on whether he is travelling for work or based at home. He works closely with government bodies to support policy development, help businesses improve their operations, and promote the growth of scuba diving in new regions.
“A large part of my work involves meetings and field activities such as member forums, risk management seminars, workshops, and business development events,” says Vinod. He also regularly holds one-on-one meetings with dive business owners and managers before developing both long-term and short-term strategies.
Building the diving community
Vinod says PADI plans to organise several member forums, risk management seminars, and rescue exercises this year as part of its regular annual activities. “We are also planning to host Diver Nights in Bengaluru and Mumbai in March and May, respectively. In October, we will undertake a road trip along the Indian coastline, covering major dive destinations and documenting the journey,” he says. In addition, he is strengthening collaboration with various government bodies to further enhance safety standards in scuba diving across the country.
Vinod Bondi with PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) and Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) officials during the signing of an MoU to promote adventure tourism in India
Stargazing and life beyond diving
Apart from scuba diving — which remains his go-to therapy for recharging and finding inspiration — Vinod spends a great deal of time stargazing and photographing the night sky. “I make it a point to print physical photo albums from each trip instead of leaving my pictures stored on my phone or memory card.”
Vinod also used to enjoy riding motorbikes, though he has not been able to ride for the past 16 years. “I am really looking forward to finally getting back in the saddle this year.”
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