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Snorkelling in Andaman is one of the most popular water activities and the island has some of the best spots. The area is surrounded by underwater coastal belts that have dense ecosystems of reefs and formations. Snorkellers can witness the best marine life here – hard and soft corals, a plethora of colourful fish species, and sea creatures. The sea here is a natural aquarium with exquisite marine life and corals. Moreover, snorkelling is the best adventure to indulge in if you don’t want to dive deep into the sea, yet explore its hidden treasures.
Factors That Affect Snorkelling
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There are many locations in Andaman for snorkelling, but the perfect place should be a balance of safety and beauty. Some factors that help in choosing an ideal snorkelling spot are-
- Underwater visual clarity
- Clarity near the shoreline
- Wave strength
- Proximity of the site
- Presence of fish and sea creatures
- Water temperature
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Andaman And Nicobar In 5 Days
Types Of Snorkelling
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There are three major kinds of snorkelling – Shore Snorkelling, Boat Snorkelling, and Night Snorkelling.
Shore Snorkelling: In this, you just need to wear the snorkelling gear and walk towards the water to find the right spot for snorkelling. It is a convenient option and ideal for newbies. You can also take a break while snorkelling, and walk back to the shore to grab a snack.
Boat Snorkelling: In this, a boat takes you to a specified diving site that is a little far from the shore. From that spot, you need to jump into the water and start snorkelling. The visibility at such spots is better and there is more to explore, especially the reefs and marine life. It increases your chances of seeing bigger marine creatures as you are away from the shore.
Night Snorkelling: This offers a unique experience to witness the underwater world during nighttime. Tourists can witness how the ocean transforms in the moonlight by revealing the nocturnal creatures. Snorkellers carry underwater flashlights to witness the magic in the dark.
Popular Snorkelling Destinations In Andaman
Snorkelling in Andaman leaves everyone mesmerised because under the water lies a magnificent world. Some of the best snorkelling locations with the price of scuba diving in Andaman are listed below:
1. Elephant Beach
Photo: Subro89 / Wikimedia Commons
This beach is one of the best spots for shore snorkelling. It is one of the most pristine beaches with crystal clear shallow waters and white sand. The visibility is clear here and the tourists can witness the rich marine life. The colourful reefs of the ocean shine through the underwater goggles. There is the right amount of current in the water and the reefs have a wide variety of fishes (parrotfish, surgeonfish, etc.) and sea creatures.
Location: SH4, Havelock Island, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands 744211
Suggested Read: Elephant Beach
2. Red Skin Island
Photo: Hikmah Cut Ramadhana / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
This is a secluded island with azure waters and crystal clear beaches. It is like a paradise on earth, home to abundant red coral reefs, tropical plants, and aquatic animals. The coral diversity found here is unmatched to any other location in Andaman. The reefs can be spotted in shallow waters. The aquatic life is also vast here. Tourists can enjoy a peaceful and magical Andaman snorkelling experience on this island.
Location: Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Port Blair, South Andaman Island, 744105
3. North Bay Island
Photo: Abgami / Wikimedia Commons
North Bay Island is another beautiful island visited by tourists for snorkelling. The corals here are spread over a large area. Tourists can spot lobsters, shrimps, clams, and a variety of fish and sea dwellers under the water. The marine visuals and fringing reefs on this island are extraordinary. The water is clear and the visibility is excellent. This place offers an unforgettable snorkelling experience.
Location: Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands 744107
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4. South Button
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This island is a perfect place for snorkelling as it has shallow waters, a healthy coral population, rich marine life, and excellent visibility underwater. The view of the schools of fish and reefs is mesmerising. The reef’s shallow part starts at 6 meters where snorkellers can spot snappers, barracudas, groupers, angelfish, trevally, turtles, butterflyfish, manta rays, and devil rays. The rich reef is also home to some amazing marine creatures like dugongs, dolphins, blue whales, and water lizards.
Location: Strait Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
5. Kalipur Beach
Photo: Skasish / Wikimedia Commons
Kalipur Beach is another great location in North Andamans for snorkelling. It has shimmering blue waters and abundant coral reefs. This place is also famous for turtles’ nesting. Its mesmerising underwater world is heaven for snorkelers. Distinct marine creatures can be spotted here like octopuses, sea turtles, hard and soft corals, sea snakes, sting rays, giant parrot fish, and more. The colourful coral reefs here are a sight to behold.
Location: Andaman and Nicobar Islands 744202
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6. Neil Island
Photo: Rajat29 / Wikimedia Commons
Neil Island is a picturesque place that has abundant marine life and jaw-dropping creatures in the blue waters. Most of the attractive snorkelling spots are located away from the shore and are reached by boat. Snorkellers will find shimmery schools of fish, dark tunnels, water-carved canyons, and corals. Also, the waters do not have heavy currents, so the tourists can have long and calm hours of exploring the underwater life. Bharatpur Beach, Laxmanpur Beach, and Sitapur Beach are some of the best snorkelling locations on this island.
Location: Andaman and Nicobar Islands 744104
7. Henry Lawrence Island
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Henry Lawrence Island, a part of the South Andaman administrative district, is an ideal place for snorkelling and its marine life brims with colourful corals. It has pristine waters and untouched coral reefs. It offers a peaceful underwater experience for people who want an escape from crowded places. The diverse marine life found here are surgeonfish, damselfish, and various coral species.
Distance: 10 km from Havelock Island
Cost/Person: ₹2500
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8. Jolly Buoy Island
Photo: Siddharth1977 / Wikimedia Commons
This island is gorgeous due to a vast swathe of blue and sponge corals adorning its coastline. Since this island remains closed for six months, the coral colonies grow better than on any other island. The best of the well-preserved and majestic marine world can be seen by going down under 5 meters. Some exotic marine creatures found here are jellyfish, zebrafish, clownfish, sea turtles, and a plethora of corals – red, blue, sponge, and more.
Location: Manjery, Andaman and Nicobar Islands 744105
9. Nemo Reef
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Nemo Reef is a hotspot where you can find the famous clownfish, just like the fish Nemo from the movie Finding Nemo. This place has crystal-clear waters and good visibility. It is an excellent spot for first-time divers as it has a sheltered bay and thus offers swimming pool-like conditions. You can spot underwater marine life here, which includes big humphead parrotfish and damselfish on corals, among others.
Location: Govind Nagar, Andaman and Nicobar Islands 744211
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10. Turtle Beach
Photo: Marco Zanferrari / Wikimedia Commons
Turtle Beach, Andaman, is another one of the best places for snorkelling in Havelock Island. Its serene waters ooze with exotic marine life and the corals that are extremely attractive. The colourful underwater creatures look majestic and offer a thrilling experience. Its charming waters add to the beauty of this place. Also, several diving schools around this beach provide snorkelling certification in Andaman.
Location: Rampur RV, Andaman and Nicobar Islands 744204
11. Cinque Island
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Cinque Island is known as one of the best snorkelling spots in Andaman Islands. There is great visibility in the clear turquoise water around the island, so snorkelers can see the colourful coral gardens full of life. A beautiful underwater world is made up of colourful reef fish, beautiful sea anemones, and sometimes even manta rays. Cinque has two islets that are connected by a beautiful beach at low tide. These islets are home to untouched marine ecosystems and a wide range of coral species, making them a must-see for travellers looking for unique, pristine snorkelling experiences.
Location: 26 km south of Port Blair, part of the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park
Suggested Read: Go Snorkelling In Neil Island To Uncover The Vast And Varied Marine Life
12. Rutland Island
Photo: Harikrishnan S / Wikimedia Commons
Rutland Island is a hidden gem for snorkeling in Andaman islands, known for its clean beaches and unspoiled coral reefs. Rutland is known for having shallow waters with lots of marine life. Its hidden coves, like Jahaji Beach, have colourful coral gardens where snorkelers can see young fish, sea turtles, and other animals. Along the edges of the reefs, the clear water laps around more than 300 kinds of coral, some of which are rarely seen in this part of the world. Because Rutland is quiet, has a lot of different plants and animals, and doesn’t get many tourists, it’s a great place to explore the underwater beauty of Andaman in peace.
Location: South of Port Blair, near Chidiya Tapu
13. Barren Island (Outer Waters)
Photo: Rohitjahnavi / Wikimedia Commons
Barren Island (Outer Waters) is one of the top snorkelling spots in Andaman because it is right next to the only active volcano in South Asia. This makes the snorkelling experience both geologically and aesthetically stunning. Landing on the island isn’t allowed, but snorkelers and divers go out on boats to explore the deep blue waters around the island, where they see volcanic rock formations and a lot of different kinds of sea life. The outer waters are full of nutrients that help coral grow and protect rare fish species.
Location: Northeast of Port Blair in the Andaman Sea.
Suggested Read: Baratang Island
14. Guitar Island (Near Long Island)
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Guitar Island, which is close to Long Island, is another relatively untouched spot that offers the best snorkeling in Andaman. People who snorkel can see views of hard and soft coral gardens and groups of bright tropical fish darting between the rocks and seagrass beds. Visitors can enjoy seeing giant clams and parrotfish in their natural environment. Guitar Island is a great place to get away from the crowds and enjoy the marine life in the Andaman Islands because it is off the beaten path.
Location: Near Long Island, north of Port Blair (Middle Andaman)
15. Stewart Island (North & Middle Andaman)
Photo: AlasdairW / Wikimedia Commons
Stewart Island, which is in the North and Middle Andaman area, is the best place to snorkel in Andaman. The island is ringed by shallow, clear lagoons with coral reefs that are full of life. There is a lot of different sea life on these reefs, like butterflyfish, angelfish, and healthy groups of staghorn corals. Because Stewart Island is so far away, the reefs aren’t affected by humans very much. This makes it a peaceful place for snorkelers who want to connect with nature.
Location: Near Mayabunder, North & Middle Andaman District
Suggested Read: North Bay Island
Best Time To Visit
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The best time for snorkelling in Andaman is from October to April, as the weather is clear and pleasant. There is excellent visibility under the water, which offers perfect marine views. The temperature is also 20 to 30 degrees Celcius which is ideal for being in the water.
Suggested Read: Water Sports In Andaman
Snorkelling in Andaman is an adventurous activity and a must-do sport on your visit. Tourists will experience total bliss because the water here is crystal-clear, the reefs are vibrant and colourful, and marine life is exotic. Without any complicated training or equipment, you can witness the underwater treasures of this Island. Plan a trip with TripXL and seek adventure with the best snorkelling experience.
Cover Photo: Dirk2112 / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
