As humans, we all crave excitement, thrill and adventure. The ideal way to satisfy our inner daredevil and to achieve that adrenaline spike, one must partake in adventure activities. Mostly trekking and ziplining are common adventure activities that people look forward to. However, there is something so uniquely special about water sports—especially activities like snorkelling and scuba diving.
The first-hand experience of being underwater to observe the silence and watch beautiful marine life is indescribable. In the depths of an ocean, one gains an appreciation of Mother Nature and for all living creatures. A snorkelling or diving experience becomes more than an adventure activity. It becomes a way to test one’s endurance, stamina and agility.
If you are in search of a meaningful diving or snorkeling experience, plan a visit to the Andaman Islands. The island has some of the most beautiful dive and snorkeling spots. Read the blog below to learn more about the best diving and snorkelling spots in the Andaman Islands.
Best Snorkelling Spots in Andaman Islands
Snorkeling is a famous water sport to try in the Andaman Islands. This activity does not need a lot of training or heavy equipment. Wear snorkelling gear to breathe and swim underwater. It’s an activity where both swimmers and non-swimmers can easily remain underwater. For children, they must be accompanied by an adult and a snorkeling instructor.
Through snorkelling, witness the colourful coral reefs, sea turtles, schools of fish without any heavy equipment. This experience is even more enjoyable when you get to snorkel in spots with rich coral colonies. The clean, crystal-clear, and soothing waters surrounding the Andaman Islands facilitate seamless snorkeling sessions. So, here are the top snorkelling spots in Andaman Island:
1. Elephant Beach, Havelock Island
Elephant Beach is one of the best snorkelling spots in Andamans, especially for first-timers. This beach is situated in Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) and can be reached by a ferry. It is one of the most beautiful snorkeling spots in Andaman with beautiful aquatic life. In the past, elephants were spotted on this beach, giving it the title Elephant Beach. Today, there are no elephants found on this beach. It’s just soft sand, clear waters and plenty of coral spotting opportunities underneath the sea. Take the plunge and spot colourful coral reefs and colourful fishes that also swim near you. The waters of Elephant beach aren’t that deep and even a non-swimmer or beginner can easily have a snorkel session in it. Marine life to spot here while snorkeling include angelfish, sea cucumbers, clownfish, butterflyfish, etc.
Location: SH4, Havelock Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Elephant Beach for snorkelling is from November to May.
Approx Cost: INR 1000 per person. (varies depending on the operator)
2. North Bay Island, Port Blair
If you are on a short visit to Andaman and staying in Port Blair, do not miss the opportunity to snorkel in the North Bay Island. This island is popular for its long stretches of fringing coral reefs, sea turtles, and plenty of fishes. Plus, the excellent underwater visibility, gentle currents, and manageable temperature makes it easier even for a novice to snorkel easily and have an up close and personal experience with aquatic life. You can take a ferry from Aberdeen Jetty to reach the islands.
Location: Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands 744107
Average Cost: INR 550 to INR 1000 per person (varies depending on the operator)
Best Time To Visit: The best time to visit North Bay Island is from December to March
3. Red Skin Island
The Red Skin island is one of the only two islands of Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park that are open to tourists (the other one is Jolly Buoy island). The island is surrounded by copious natural beauty, lush foliage and is a tropical paradise. The Red Skin Island got its name due to the profuse red-hued coral reefs found here. This place is usually not on the radar of most tourists and only offbeat explorers or expert snorkellers visit this island. So, if you want to experience snorkelling with the rush or tourist crowds, travel straight from Port Blair to MG Marine Park and let your underwater adventure begin.
Location: Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Port Blair, South Andaman Island 744105 Approx Cost: INR 1000 per person (may vary depending on the operator)
Best Time To Visit: The best time to visit Red Skin Island is from May to October
4. Jolly Buoy Island
A beautiful tropical haven away from the rush and commotions of tourist crowds sums ups Jolly Buoy. If you like some offbeat adventure, Jolly Buoy Island is the right bet for you. Once you reach here, put on your snorkelling gear to witness the colourful corals blue, red and sponge. Get a chance to spot rare clown fish (Nemo), zebra fish with their black and white stripes, parrot fish and wrasses. Occasionally, you may also spot sea urchins, starfish and even small rays. For reaching Jolly Buoy Island, hop on a ferry from Wandoor which costs around ₹850 per person. The entry fee INR 50 for Indian Nationals and 500 for foreign nationals.
Location: Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Port Blair, South Andaman Island
Average Price: ₹500 to ₹2,500 per person (may vary depending on operator)
Best Time to Visit: The ideal time to visit Jolly Buoy Island for snorkeling is from November to April. For the rest of the months the island is closed to protect its delicate marine life.
5. Bharatpur Beach, Neil Island
If you are a beginner and test the waters (literally) for snorkelling, Bharatpur beach is your best bet. The shallow waters of Bharatpur beach allows for a relaxed and challenge-free snorkelling session. The remarkable underwater visibility allows snorkelers to see far, wide and clear. It is best to carry your own snorkelling gear and in case you forget to bring one, rent one from the beach shop. After a quick training session, plunge into the waters and with the help of a guide, explore the coral reefs.
Bharatpur beach has a good population of both hard and soft corals. As far as fishes are concerned, you may spot parrot fish, lemon fish, zebra fish, sardines and blue corals and clams. If you are lucky, you may even spot a school of silver or white trevally fish.
How to Reach: Bharatpur Beach is situated 500 metres away from the Neil Jetty. It can be easily accessed by foot or a rented scooty
Average Cost: INR 500 to INR 1000 per person (varies depending on the operator)
Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Bharatpur Beach is between October and May. For snorkelling, you may go to the beach anywhere around 09:30 AM to 4:00 PM. (the timings aren’t strict)
Best Scuba Diving Spots in Andaman Islands
For those who like the thrill and rush of exploring the depths of the sea and find its mystery—scuba diving is the perfect water sport activity. There are many types of Scuba diving including shore diving, wreck diving, boat diving etc. Based on your training, experience, and certification, you can go ahead and partake in the underwater world of the Andaman Islands.
Divers get ready, here are the top scuba diving spots you should consider on your next Andaman trip.
1. Pilot Reef
Located in Havelock Island, Pilot reef is a 25 metre underwater canyon and is meant for experienced divers only. Owing to its depth, water currents, and topography, diving here can be a little challenging but a quite an adventurous experience. The Pilot Reef dive sites feature crevices and small caverns that may surprise you with unique marine life. Divers typically stay 45 minutes to 1 hour underwater and explore the stillness and exquisite marine life. Along with beautiful coral reefs, you can spot jewel fairy basslets, garden eels, butterflyfish, angelfish, and bannerfish. On rare occasions, some divers have even spotted elusive and stunning Leopard sharks.
2. Nemo Reef
Nemo Reef is another destination in Havelock Island that has been a favourite spot for many divers. It has a depth of 2 to 16 meters. Both experienced and novice divers can easily scuba dive here. This reef is blessed with large amounts of corals and beautiful marine flora and fauna. The crystal-clear waters and gentle sea currents give a seamless and stress-free dive experience. While diving one can spot the Goatfish, Triggerfish, Octopus, Clownfish, Surgeonfish, Flounder, Shrimp, Squid, Scorpion fish, etc. If you’re a first time diver, it is suggested to do this activity in a group and with the guidance of a dive instructor.
3. Jackson’s Bar
Jackson’s Bar can be best described as a horizontally rocky reef or a plateau rising from the sea bed. It is one of the largest scuba dive sites in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It has a depth of 32 metres or 100 feet. The strong water currents flowing in this reef attracts large marine species. Here you can witness barrel sponges, soft corals, and big boulders protruding from the sea bed. For marine species, you can spot Napoleon Wrasse, Garden Eels (Heteroconger Hassi), White Tip Reef Shark, Manta rays, and Eagle rays. The underwater visibility is generally over 15 metres but may get affected due to weather and water currents.
4. Turtle Beach
Turtle Beach or Turtle Bay is a dive site in the Andaman Islands to experience scuba diving and observe coral reefs and marine life. The depth of the site starts from 3 metres and goes till 14 meters (45 feet), making it a perfect dive site for beginners. This shallow dive site attracts many first-time scuba divers to learn and experience how to dive perfectly. The calm sea condition, gentle water currents and excellent underwater visibility makes it easier for both beginners and experienced divers to dive easily. Some of the commonly spotted marine life includes Trevally, Giant Grouper, Starfish, Sweetlips, Octopus, Lobster, Clown fish, Pufferfish, Butterflyfish, etc. Occasionally, you may spot Turtles, Dolphins, Manta Rays, Lionfish, crocodile fish, etc, along with an abundant variety of corals.
5. White House Rock
A popular dive site in Andaman Islands, the White House Rock is a circular reef with peaks, offering several stand points to the divers. It is located 21 kilometers west of Havelock Island and its depth ranges from 8 meters to 50 meters. The water currents, underwater visibility, and sea temperatures are suitable for an amazing dive session. White House Rock dive site is suitable for both beginners and advanced divers. Here, a diver can spot both hard corals and soft corals that includes fan corals, gorgonian soft corals, whip corals, and elegant white corals. For fish sightings, you can spot Snapper, Grouper, Jackfish, Lionfish, Lemon shark, Hawksbill turtle, etc.
Conclusion
In summary, there are diverse snorkelling spots and dive sites in the Andaman Islands, perfect for both new and experienced divers/snorkellers. If you are planning an Andaman vacation to do scuba diving or snorkelling, make sure to have the beautiful Havelock Island in your Andaman tour packages. You may also request your tour operator to make necessary arrangements on the island for you to comfortably engage in water activities.
