The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are two Indian island groups in the Bay of Bengal, just 600 miles (1000 kilometers) off the western coasts of Thailand. Still little visited compared to some other destinations in the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia, visitors generally head to the few islands open to tourism, in particular Havelock Island and Neil Island. The shallow reefs of Andaman and Nicobar are home to a rich marine biodiversity, including dozens of endemic species. Snorkelers interested in anemonefish, angelfish and sea snakes will especially enjoy this destination.
Comprising over 800 islands and islets, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are sandwiched between the Bay of Bengal to the west and the Andaman Sea to the east.
With only around 30 inhabited islands, much of the archipelago is still wild and unspoiled.
Visitors to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands concentrate on the few islands open to visitors, which are easily accessed and offer a choice of accommodation.
Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, is located on South Andaman Island. Its airport is the main gateway to the archipelago.
You won’t find good snorkeling from the city’s shores, which are subject to bad underwater visibility. To snorkel from Port Blair, take the short ferry ride to North Bay Island from Aberdeen Jetty. Many colorful fish live around the coral heads facing the main beach.
If you have more time, Jolly Bouy Island is a dream destination for a beach and snorkeling day. Located in the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, its seabed is better preserved than anywhere else in the region.
Havelock Island, also known as Sawaraj Dweep, is the most visited island in the archipelago. Of its three main beaches, Radhanagar Beach, Vijaynagar Beach, and Elephant Beach, the latter has the best snorkeling.
Elephant Beach can be reached with boat tours, or via a 1.2 mile/2 kilometer hike through the jungle. As the beach is most of the time crowded, don’t stay in its central part but go explore the reefs to the left and right of the swimming area.
Nemo Beach, 800 meters south of Havelock Jetty, is another famous snorkeling location on the island. This well-named site is ideal for spotting anemonefish: 5 different species abound on its shallow reefs – see the species list on the spot’s page.
Decent snorkeling is also found at Tribe Gate (accessible from Govind Nagar Beach, opposite Ocean Tribe Scuba) and Turtle Bay, in the southern extension of Elephant Beach.
Neil Island is the Andaman’s second most popular tourist destination after Havelock. Known officially as Saheed Dweep, this only 4-mile-long island features a limited number of snorkeling options.
The island’s main snorkeling site is Bharatpur Beach, nestled on Neil’s north coast. The best coral, which attracts a diversity of reef fish, is found on the west (left) side of the jetty.
Laxmanpur Beach, at the north-western tip of Neil, is also suitable for snorkeling, but the snorkel entry from the shallow flat is rather tricky. On the south coast, you can try snorkeling in the cove opposite Silver Sand Beach Resort Neil. The area is shallow, however, and has almost no coral.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands relative geographical isolation enabled the development of rich marine biodiversity, including species that are found nowhere else on Earth.
Unfortunately, the increased coastal tourism negatively affects the coral reefs of the most visited islands, including Havelock and Neil. Most of their shallow reefs are badly damaged.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands reefs host 180 species of coral and are teeming with multicolored fish. Surgeonfish, butterflyfish (including the restricted-ranged Andaman butterflyfish and the Indian vagabond butterflyfish), angelfish, triggerfish, and Moorish idols are easily seen at shallow depths.
Yellow-lipped sea krait can be encountered during the warmest hours of the day in all snorkeling locations.
Anemonefish fans will be delighted by snorkeling in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Many species of anemonefish live on the archipelago’s reefs, including widely distributed species such as the Ocellaris anemonefish, and others with more restricted ranges (and less often seen), such as the Sebae anemonefish and the Saddle anemonefish.
Some of the archipelago’s snorkeling spots are known for frequent encounters with manta rays, blacktip sharks, and sea turtles. Don’t go snorkeling at unlisted spots without asking for local advice, as some areas of the islands, including Havelock, are inhabited by crocodiles.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are best visited during the dry season, which runs from November to March. The water temperature, averaging 82.4°F/28°C in the shore waters, makes snorkeling very comfortable.
The rest of the year, the archipelagos are hit by the monsoon, which brings heavy rainfall. Underwater visibility, not always good in the dry season, is further reduced, and snorkeling is often impossible.
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Fringing reef with colorful fish and sea krait
Level: Free shore access
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