Snorkelling in Andaman: Aquatic life
Scuba diving and snorkeling in Andaman Islands is truly a mesmerizing experience as you are exposed to the tropical beauty of the life that thrives underneath the surface. While snorkeling in these islands, you will get to witness various exotic fish species like jellyfish, star fish, sea anemones, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, schools of dolphins, turtles, sharks, peacock mantis, clownfish, etc. And if you're lucky, you might even spot a dugong swimming about in the tropical waters. Apart from this, you'll also get to admire the colourful corals like black corals, fire corals, gorgonians, etc.
Located in the Bay of Bengal, the Andaman Islands form an archipelago consisting of many islands with white sandy beaches, exotic marine life and vivid corals. The islands are a perfect tropical getaway and have come to be known as one of the world's best diving and snorkeling sites.
The island is home to many pristine beaches and are surrounded by emerald waters of the Bay of Bengal on one side and the Andaman Sea on the other. An extensive variety of fish species and corals call these shores their home, as they make up for one of the best coral ecosystems in the world.
Snorkeling in Andaman: Best time to visit
If you're planning to go snorkeling in Andamans, then you should book your flight tickets either during summer or winter. During the summer months, the weather is generally pleasant and mildly warm, with temperatures ranging from 24 to 37 degree Celsius. Winter too is a great season to go snorkeling in Andamans. During these months, the weather is not chilly but is light and neutral with temperatures ranging from 20 to 30 degree Celsius, making it perfect for a romantic getaway.
Monsoons, however, should be avoided if you want to do any sort of watersports in Andamans. During this season, the islands are lashed with heavy rains and strong winds paired with rough seas. Hence, most water sports are inaccessible in monsoon.
Snorkeling in Andaman Islands: Itinerary
For snorkeling in Andamans, you have to first arrive at the dive centre to collect your gear. From there, you will be taken to the dive site. Some dives take place at a beach and some at a dive site in the middle of the sea. Depending on your package, you'll either go to the beach or to the dive site via a boat. There, you get to engage in a snorkeling session and observe the gorgeous marine life of the Andaman sea. After your snorkeling session, you'll head back to the dive centre and return the snorkeling gear.
snorkeling in Andaman Islands packs in plenty of fun and adventure that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, as long as they are comfortable in the water. A package for snorkeling in Andamans can cost anywhere between INR 1400 to INR 4000 per person.
How to reach Andaman
Since the Andamans are a cluster of isolated islands located in the Bay of Bengal, there are only 2 ways to reach there: air or sea. The most convenient is by air, where you have to book tickets to the Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair. The airport is connected to most major cities of India like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore, Chennai, etc. by regular flights run by domestic flight operators.
If you have a few days to spare, then you can take a cruise sailing from Kolkata, Vizag or Chennai to reach Andaman. These ships run on a monthly basis and take up to 70 hours to reach Andaman.
Getting around in Andaman
If you're staying in Port Blair or Havelock, then the best way to get around is via auto-rickshaws or taxis. You can even hire a car with a driver for roughly INR 550 per 35 km, or hire motorcycles for approx. INR 300 to INR 400 per day. The prices vary as per the season. There are also buses connecting Port Blair to Baratang, Rangat, Mayabunder and Diglipur in the north, and Wandoor in the south.
You can reach Havelock and Neil Island by regular ferries from Port Blair, Rangat, Mayabunder and Diglipur
What to wear
For snorkelling, you only need to wear comfortable swimwear like bikini, swimsuit or swimming trunks. And when you're not snorkelling, you should wear a comfortable pair of t-shirt and shorts. It is also a good idea to wear sunglasses and sun-cap to protect yourself from the sun and sandals/floaters as footwear.
What to carry
For snorkelling in Andaman, you don't have to carry any snorkelling equipment like fins, snorkels and masks, as they will be provided by the tour operator. What you need to carry is swimwear, comfortable clothes for when you're not snorkelling, sunscreen and sunglasses. It is also a good idea to carry a personal first aid kit along with all the personal essentials.
Fitness
Since snorkelling is a low-effort activity, it doesn't require much fitness levels. Snorkelling can be done by people of all age groups as long as they have basic fitness levels and are comfortable in the water. Even someone who doesn't know how to swim can also go snorkelling in Andaman.
What else to do
When you're not snorkelling, you can enjoy many other things to do in the Andaman Islands. You can go for treks, kayaking, scuba diving, or just relax on the white shore beaches of the islands. Explore the adventure activities in Havelock options here. Also check out adventure activities in Port Blair like sea walks, kayaking, and more here.
Where to stay
Andaman is one of the best tropical destinations in the world. While you're there, you can choose from a wide range of accommodation options, from budget huts to luxurious air-conditioned cottages. It is recommended that you look for the accommodation on a beachside so you get to stay close to the sea.
Snorkelling in Andaman Summary
- State: Andaman and Nicobar
- Nearest city: Port Blair
- Total days: 1
- Grade: Easy
- Max altitude: 0
- Total trekking distance: 0
- Season: Summer and winter
- Avg temperature: 20 to 37 degree Celsius
Talk to an Expert
Need help?
