Explore The Andaman Islands
At some point, you’re almost certain to find yourself killing time in Port Blair, waiting for boats to show up or tickets to go on sale. Rather than wasting days in town, it’s worth exploring the coast of South Andaman which, although far more densely populated than other islands in the archipelago, holds a handful of easily accessible beauty spots and historic sites. Among the latter, the ruined colonial monuments on Viper and Ross islands can be reached on daily harbour cruises or regular ferries from the capital. For beaches, head southeast to Corbyn’s Cove, or cross South Andaman to reach the more secluded Chiriya Tapu, both of which are easily accessible on day-trips if you rent a vehicle. By far the most rewarding way to spend a day out of town, however, is to catch the tourist boat from Wandoor to Jolly Buoy or Red Skin islands in the Mahatma Gandhi National Marine Park opposite, which boasts some of the Andamans’ best snorkelling. The other area worth visiting is Mount Harriet and Madhuban on the central part of South Andaman, north across the bay from Port Blair.
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Wandoor and the Mahatma Gandhi National Marine Park
Wandoor and the Mahatma Gandhi National Marine Park
Much the most popular excursion from Port Blair is to WANDOOR, 30km southwest. The long white beach here is littered with the dry, twisted trunks of trees torn up and flung down by annual cyclones. It’s fringed not with palms but by dense forest teeming with birdlife. You should only snorkel here at high tide, as the coral is easily damaged when the waters are shallow.
Most people take a cruise around the fifteen islets comprising the Mahatma Gandhi National Marine Park, which boasts one of the richest coral reefs in the region. The downside is that entry into the park for foreigners now costs Rs500 [Rs50]. Boats depart at 10am (daily except Mon; Rs450) from Wandoor, which you can reach on A&N Tourism’s tour or by local bus. From the jetty, the boats chug through broad creeks lined with dense mangrove swamps and pristine forest to either Red Skin Island or, more commonly, Jolly Buoy. The latter, an idyllic deserted island, boasts an immaculate shell-sand beach ringed by a bank of superb coral. The catch is that the boat only stops for around an hour, which isn’t nearly enough time to explore the shore and reef. While snorkelling off the edges of the reef, beware of strong currents.
