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Port Blair, the capital city of Andaman and Nicobar Islands is a paradise for water enthusiasts. Snorkelling in Port Blair is one of the most common water sports. The tropical waters of this place consist of exquisite marine life that is waiting to be explored. Snorkelling is the perfect activity to see what lies beneath these azure waters. You will be spellbound by the majestic beauty of the coral gardens, and colourful species of fish, turtles, and other sea creatures. Pay a visit to Port Blair and witness the exotic life underwater for a magical experience.
Factors That Affect
Photo: Kyle @SubtleCinematics / Unsplash
This capital city of Andaman has some of the best snorkelling spots. Here are some important factors that help you choose the right place for snorkelling in Port Blair.
Suggested Read: Water Sports In Andaman
Levels Of Snorkelling
Photo: Arpandhar / Wikimedia Commons
Snorkelling is basically of two types: Shore Snorkelling and Boat Snorkelling. Port Blair has snorkelling sites that have either or both of these levels of snorkelling.
Shore Snorkelling: In shore snorkelling, the person stays near the shore and then enters the water to snorkel. It is very convenient and ideal for beginners and non-swimmers. In this type of snorkelling, you can stay near the shore and can take breaks.
Boat Snorkelling: In this, a boat takes you inside the ocean to a spot that has a rich marine life. From there, the people snorkelling can enter the ocean and experience marine diversity at its best. The depth of boat snorkelling is more than shore snorkelling.
Popular Destinations
Port Blair has some of the best places nearby that offer a unique and mesmerising snorkelling experience. Here are some of the places you must visit for snorkelling:
1. Corbyn’s Cove Beach
Photo: Biswajit Majumdar / Wikimedia Common
Snorkelling is one of the most thrilling activities on Corbyn’s Cove Beach, Snake Island. The ambience of this place is serene as it is fringed by coconut palms and clear waters. The underwater beauty of this beach is unspoiled by humans and consists of a rich and varied marine life. There are vibrant coral reefs, rock faces, colourful fishes, and a truckful of snakes that you can discover while snorkelling here.
Location: 4.3 km from Port Blair
Timings: 24*7
Suggested Read: Beaches In Andaman
2. North Bay Beach
Photo: Rockydsuza / Wikimedia Commons
North Bay is a very small island near Port Blair that offers extreme fun and adventure. The waters are clean and very shallow here, allowing a clear view of the underwater marine life while snorkelling. This beach also boasts of the most rich and diverse coral population in Andaman and Nicobar. Its fringing coral reef houses a variety of fishes and sea creatures like shrimps, clams, lobsters, turtles, and more.
Location: 13 km from Port Blair
Timings: 9 AM – 4 PM
3. Chidiya Tapu
Photo: Biswarup Ganguly / Wikimedia Commons
Chidiya Tapu is famous for housing a wide variety of birds and has thick forests surrounding the ocean. It is also a haven for water enthusiasts as it has colourful corals and a vibrant marine life. Tourists who go snorkelling here can witness the labyrinthine reefs that get caught in a whirlpool of tiny fishes and can also enjoy swimming alongside majestic sea turtles. The exotic landscape and marine life of this place attract a lot of snorkelers.
Location: 17 km from Port Blair
Timings: 6 AM – 7 PM
Suggested Read: Snorkelling In Andaman
4. Cinque Island
Photo: Vardhan Patankar / Wikimedia Commons
Cinque Island is one of the loveliest islands in Andaman with crystal-clear waters and lush green jungles. As beautiful as it looks on the outside, its underwater world is equally attractive. It has colourful corals and fishes, and various other marine species. Snorkelers can spot moray eels, sea turtles, and manta rays as well. Besides this, tourists can also spot a variety of fishes here like butterflyfish, clownfish, and parrotfish.
Location: 25 km from Port Blair
Timings: 6 AM – 7 PM
5. Ross Island
Photo: Shimjithsr / Wikimedia Commons
Ross and Smith are two islands in Andaman and Nicobar that are separated by a sandbank. This is another good place to spot colourful coral reefs and vibrant underwater species. Its shimmering turquoise water is mesmerising and offers an outstanding snorkelling experience. The shallow waters near the shore are also ideal for beginners. Ross and Smith are two peaceful places where you can have a relaxing time while snorkelling.
Location: 18 km from Port Blair
Timings: 8:30 AM – 4 PM
Suggested Read: Things To Do In Port Blair
6. Red Skin Island
Photo: Singhabhinav7 / Wikimedia Commons
Red Skin Island is open for tourists for 6 months and is surrounded by nature. It has a clean shoreline and excellent underwater visibility. Tourists can spot a vibrant marine life while snorkelling here. From a dense coral population to a varied marine life of all shapes and sizes – clownfish, angelfish, turtles, and dugongs, there is plenty to see while snorkelling here. Its coral diversity is unmatched by any other place in Andaman and hence offers an extraordinary experience.
Location: 18 km from Port Blair
Timings: 24*7
7. Jolly Buoy Island
Photo: Ayushi rai / Wikimedia Commons
Jolly Buoy Island is a twin island to Red Skin Island and they open on an alternate basis to preserve the corals. This island has a shoreline filled with large hoards of corals including red, blue, and sponge. It also has a wide variety of unique fishes like zebrafish and the fairly rare clownfish. The water here is clear and currents are stable, thus offering the ideal scenario for snorkelling.
Location: 30 km from Port Blair
Timings: 24*7
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Port Blair
8. Neil Island
The tropical waters of Neil Island are ideal for swimming. Its pristine beauty and untouched marine life is extraordinary and are perfect for a vacation. It offers dreamlike natural surprises under the water. Snorkelers can view and witness parrotfish, angelfish, sea turtles, and other majestic creatures under the water. The marine coral formations are breathtaking and worth experiencing. This island is not to be missed when it comes to snorkelling.
Location: 37 km from Port Blair
Timings: 24*7
Best Time To Visit
Photo: John Cahil Rom / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
The dry season is the best time for snorkelling in Port Blair. The months from October to May are ideal for snorkelling as the water temperature varies between 20 to 30 degrees Celsius. Also, the water is calm and visibility is at its best during these months.
Suggested Read: Nightlife In Port Blair
Other Factors To Consider
Photo: Leonardo Lamas / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
You must also consider the following factors while planning a snorkelling expedition here. These will help you manage your time more efficiently.
Price Of Snorkelling In Port Blair
The price of snorkelling here starts from ₹500 and goes up to ₹1500. This cost includes the boat ride to the diving spot, safety equipment, and snorkelling gear. One session of snorkelling lasts for 15 to 20 minutes. You can also go for multiple dives at different spots, so the price varies accordingly.
The tropical waters of the Andaman Sea offer a perfect spot for snorkelling. This activity is the best way to dig in and witness the wonders of nature, and take home memories of a lifetime. Snorkelling in Port Blair is a must during your vacation here as you get to witness a rich coral life and exotic sea creatures. So, plan a vacation here with TripXL and make the best of your holidays.
Cover Photo: Wikimedia commons / Wikimedia commons
