Eight species of sponges collected aboard R. V. Skipjack in the area between 11° 43'- 11° 44' N and 79° 57'E -79 58' E from a depth of 48 metres are described with suitable illustrations. Of these, 3 species viz. Biemna microstyla, Bubaris gorgonoides and Acanthella megaspicula are new to science. Penares intermedia (Dendy), a species so far known to occur only in the Gulf of Mannar, is here recorded from outside its native limits for the first time. It appears from the collection that this depth zone harbours a rich population of Cinachyra cavernosa (Lamarck).