Wandoor and Jolly Buoy Island: Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park Guide
Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park near Port Blair: Wandoor Beach, Jolly Buoy and Red Skin islands, permits, closed days, snorkelling and how to book the boat.
The Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park lies about 30 km south-west of Port Blair, and its centrepiece is a group of small islands with some of the best snorkelling near the capital. The park's gateway is Wandoor, a quiet beach village, and the star island is Jolly Buoy.
This guide explains how the trip works, the rules that decide whether you can go and what you can expect to see.
The beach at Jolly Buoy Island.
At a glance | |
|---|---|
Where | Wandoor, about 25 to 30 km from Port Blair |
Drive to Wandoor | About 45 minutes |
Boat to the islands | About 30 to 45 minutes |
Islands | Jolly Buoy and Red Skin, used on alternate periods |
Permit | Required; usually arranged by the operator |
Time needed | A full day, including the drive |
How the trip works
You drive to Wandoor, buy or confirm a permit and board a boat for the islands. The boat anchors off the island, and you swim or snorkel from the shore or from the boat. Lunch is often brought with you, since the island has no facilities.
The park rotates visits between Jolly Buoy and Red Skin to give the reefs time to recover, so which island you reach depends on the season. Confirm which one is open when you book.
Closed days and seasons
The marine park is closed on certain days, commonly one day a week, and it can close in the monsoon and in rough weather. Booking through a local operator is the safest approach, because they know the current schedule. Do not plan the trip for a day when you cannot move it.
What you see
Jolly Buoy has a white-sand beach, clear water and a shallow reef with fish, giant clams and healthy coral. The sea is calm on the sheltered side of the island. Snorkelling gear is generally provided, and you can use a life jacket.
Clear shallows at Jolly Buoy.
Wandoor Beach
Wandoor is a quiet beach, with a long stretch of sand and a calm bay. It is pleasant for an hour's rest before or after the boat, but it is not the main draw.
Wandoor Beach.
Rules
No plastic and no waste. Carry everything out.
No shells, coral or sand. Taking any of them is illegal.
No touching the coral, and no standing on the reef.
Follow the permit rules. Entry is limited and checked.
Carry ID. Foreign visitors need their passport.
For general rules see the Andaman entry guide.
How to plan the day
Leave Port Blair by 7 am for the drive.
Board the boat by 9 am, and snorkel through late morning.
Have lunch on the island, with food you carried.
Return to Wandoor in the early afternoon, and drive back by 4 pm.
For other options, see the North Bay guide and the Chidiya Tapu guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Jolly Buoy open all year?
No. It closes on certain days and in rough weather.
Do I need a permit?
Yes. An operator will usually arrange it.
How far is Wandoor from Port Blair?
About 25 to 30 km, around 45 minutes.
Is the snorkelling good?
Yes. It is one of the better reefs near Port Blair.
Can I take shells?
No. It is illegal.
Plan your Andaman days with us
We confirm the island, the permit and the boat for your date, and carry lunch and gear. Explore the Andaman destination page or talk to a trip designer.
Photo credits
Jolly Buoy beach: Anshul Arora, CC BY-SA 4.0. Clear shallows and Wandoor Beach: Ritu Kulshrestha, CC BY-SA 4.0. All via Wikimedia Commons.
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