Things to do in Pondicherry

Known for its cultural beauty, Pondicherry was once a French colonial settlement and its chief draw is its French-infused food, architecture, historical sites, and lovely, winding streets. However, if you’re a traveler that’s looking for more to Pondicherry than what you’ll find on its surface, get ready for an adventure that will thrill you to the bone, with scuba diving in Pondicherry. 

Besides the golden beaches of this quaint Union Territory, scuba diving in Pondicherry takes you below the waves of the blue ocean, to the mysterious aquatic kingdom that lurks beneath. Long stretches of coral reef give you a look at the vibrantly coloured sea creatures that swim around in their natural habitat. Spot delicate, translucent jellyfish, lionfish, kingfish, moray eels, manta rays, and crustaceans as they navigate the unpredictable world underwater.

New to this thrilling water sport? Take up a course at one of the Dive Schools that dot the region. These professional divers will show you the ropes for safe and satisfying diving experiences. If you’re a skilled diver, scuba diving in Pondicherry will give you a chance to explore new, exciting dive sites on the coast of South India.  

Let’s dip into the hidden water world of Pondicherry! If you plan to go scuba diving in Pondicherry, here are a few things that you should know.

Depth: Up to 30 meters

Cost: ₹5,200 onwards

Difficulty: Beginner-Advanced

Water Visibility: 20 - 30 meters depending upon the weather

Right Time to Visit: Throughout the year except for monsoons

The capital of Puducherry, Pondicherry was once a French colonial settlement and still bears the remnants of this mix of culture, from its language to the food and the architecture that decorates its lovely streets. Popular amongst tourists for its delicious French cuisines, delicate French influenced villas that are painted in cheerful yellows, oranges, soothing blues and greens and its carefully maintained heritage sites; Pondicherry is a great place to put on your bucket list of destinations to visit in South India. 

If you’re a history buff, sightseeing in Pondicherry is a sure delight, with history around every corner. 100-year old Bungalows invite you in, to take in the aged furniture, lush, green gardens and stories through the ages. The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, The Pondicherry Botanical Garden and the Old Lighthouse are all iconic historical places that will fuel your love of the past.

Sightseeing in Pondicherry for foodies isn’t complete without visiting the quaint cafes that dot the region. Coromandel Café has enchanting Parisian interiors that make you feel as though you’re in the heart of France while Baker Street draws you in with the sweet smell of freshly baked bread. 

Known as the French Riviera of the East, Pondicherry’s rich colonial past has seeped into the very fabric of the location. When you think of this lovely Union Territory situated besides the mysterious dark curls of the Bay of Bengal, its postcard-like beauty comes to mind. Winding lanes cut each other at left angles, with marigold, greyish blue, and pastel colored villas dotting its sides serenely.  

From the regal, chic French Quarter, to the riotous color and vibrancy of the Tamil Quarter, the heritage tours in Pondicherry takes you a journey into the inescapable past of a Union Territory caught between the past and the present. The arrival of the French in the early 17th century left an imprint on this tiny seaside region, spanning dishes that are distinctly French in taste, architecture that would not look out of place in Paris and a creole of language and lifestyle that still exists till today.  

On the heritage tours in Pondicherry, your expert storytellers will guide you on the stories behind the monuments, bringing to life people and incidents from a bygone era. Walk through the Gingee Fort, Statue of Dupleix, the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and the Immaculate Conception Cathedral.  

The Tamil Quarter is another less-frequented haunt that is well worth a visit. Take a heritage tour in Pondicherry through this traditional area of Tamil culture and discover how it overlaps with its European cousin, the White Town.  

In Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry brings out its history through its European influenced culture, food and language. The region is easily recognizable thanks to its merrily painted French style villas in colors of cheerful marigold, orange, soothing blues and greens. Beachside cafés are another trademark of this lovely area, with spacious bohemian styled interiors quirkily mixed with a Parisian theme that serves delicious French pastries, fresh bread and authentic continental food. 

Instead of gazing at the elegant villas from the outside, the homestays in Pondicherry offers you the chance to live out your fantasy of staying inside these architectural marvels. The best part of Pondicherry is that it has different areas that can cater to a wide variety of tourists. Stay at White Town in one of the homestays in Pondicherry and spend your days walking through enchanting, winding French style lanes through the town. Looking for a more rustic stay to explore the traditional side of Tamil Nadu? The Tamil Quarter is filled with bustling flower markets, streets with ancient Franco-Tamil houses and a lively, upbeat atmosphere. 

If you're excited to stay at the beach, the homestays in Pondicherry are also located near the ocean and offer you beautiful views of the golden beaches, waving palms and grey-blue ripples on the water’s surface.