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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: Things To Do In Port Blair For A Memorable Experience
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.
Suitable For: Beginners and first-timers
Suggested Read: Best Beaches In Port Blair For a Sun-Kissed Vacation
2. North Bay Beach
Photo: Rockydsuza / Wikimedia Commons
North Bay is widely regarded as the best place to snorkel in Port Blair. 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. The accessibility, vibrant underwater landscapes, and the variety of marine life make it the top snorkeling destination for visitors seeking the best marine adventure around Port Blair. If you are searching for the best snorkelling in Port Blair, North Bay should be at the top of your list.
Suitable For: All ages and skill levels
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.
Suitable For: Beginners and non-swimmers
Suggested Read: Get Ready To Explore Little Andaman Island For A Magical Experience
4. Cinque Island
Photo: Vardhan Patankar / Wikimedia Commons
Cinque Island is regarded as one of the best snorkelling spots in Port Blair and among 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.
Suitable For: Beginners and intermediate
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.
Suitable For: Beginner and intermediate
Suggested Read: Popular Places For Scuba Diving 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.
Suitable For: Beginners and non-swimmers
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.
Suitable For: Beginners, children, and non-swimmers
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Port Blair When You Travel Next Time
8. Neil Island
The tropical waters of Neil Island, considered one of the top snorkelling spots in Port Blair and the Andaman Islands, are ideal for swimming. Its pristine beauty and untouched marine life are extraordinary and perfect for a vacation. It offers dreamlike natural surprises under the water and is especially popular for its vibrant snorkeling sites at Bharatpur Beach and Laxmanpur Beach. 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, making it a must-see among the places to visit in Neil Island.
Suitable For: Beginners, children, and non-swimmers
9. Snake Island
Photo: Yercaud-elango / Wikimedia Commons
Snake Island is about 800 meters from Port Blair’s Corbyn’s Cove Beach. The name of the island comes from the sea kraits, which are poisonous sea snakes that live in the warm, shallow, tropical water around it. Marine life, like butterflyfish, pufferfish, parrotfish, lionfish, goatfish, triggerfish, rays, snappers, and sometimes turtles and small sharks, find shelter in the rocky reefs that circle the island. From December to May, you can usually see the most under the water, which makes these months perfect for snorkelling.
Suitable For: Beginners and Intermediate
Suggested Read: Best Places For Scuba Diving In Andaman Islands
10. Wandoor Beach
About 25 km southwest of Port Blair, Wandoor Beach is the largest beach on the mainland. It is also the entrance to the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park. Even though Wandoor Beach is best known as the place where boats leave for Jolly Buoy and Red Skin Islands, you can swim right off the beach’s sandy shore. The water here is calm and clear, especially from November to February. Many sea creatures live here, including zebra fish, colourful parrotfish, and the remains of live coral patches.
Suitable For: Beginners
11. Grub Island
Photo: CC0 Public Domain / PxHere / Image For Representation Only
Grub Island is a less well-known snorkelling and adventure spot in the Andaman Islands. Tourists don’t usually go to Grub Island, but if you’re up for an adventure, you can discover its beautiful beaches, dense forests, and vibrant coral reefs. It’s often called an unusual place, and there are stories about underground caves and unusual marine life. From November to May, when it’s dry, is the best time to go because the waves are low and the weather is good for snorkelling.
Suitable For: Intermediate
Suggested Read: Viper Island
12. Pilot Reef
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Pilot Reef is a large underwater canyon reef northeast of Havelock Island, which is now called Swaraj Dweep. It is sometimes included in advanced snorkelling and diving tours for tourists from Port Blair. People visit this place because it has beautiful reef walls, huge strips of hard and soft corals, and lots of sea life, like trumpetfish, angelfish, leopard sharks, white-tip reef sharks, moray eels, and even manta rays. The landscape includes flat coral areas, caves, and sandy areas with depths ranging from 8 to 12 meters to more than 22 meters.
Suitable For: Intermediate and advanced
Best Time To Visit
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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
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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 snorkelling charges in Port Blair 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 snorkelling in Port Blair 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: Memories Over Mocha / Shutterstock
