The tropical waters of the Andaman Sea are ideal for snorkeling in Andaman – clear, calm, balmy, and bursting with brilliant marine life. Snorkeling can be done year-round in the Andamans.
Snorkelling is the process of swimming on the surface of the water while outfitted with a designed tube known as a snorkel (A snorkel is a tube around 30 cm long, generally L or J-shaped and fixed with a mouthpiece at the lower end, and made of rubber or plastic. It is applied for breathing air from over the water surface area when the wearer’s mouth and nose are submerged, coupled with swim fins occasionally. Utilizing this equipment permits the snorkeller to notice underwater attractions for extended time periods with comparatively small effort. It is a well-known fun activity in the Andamans.
Snorkelling at Red Skin Island
Red Skin Island is the twin sister of Jolly Buoy and is easily reachable by boat. The island is small and is only open for tourists for 6 months, when Jolly Buoy is closed. The location is ecstatic and surrounded by nature from all sides that opening up to a magnificent beach. The shorelines are clean and complemented by clean blue waters with above-average visibility that allows for decent underwater sight. The coral population is dense and populated with abundant marine life of all shapes and species. The diversity of corals here is unmatched by any other location in the Andamans, which makes this spot really great for snorkelers. To reach the island, one has to take a ferry from Wandoor Beach and obtain forest permits to snorkel near the shore.
Snorkelling at Jolly Buoy Island
Jolly Buoy is yet another great place to snorkel in the Andaman for both experienced and novice enthusiasts. The island is pretty small and has numerous water sports centers offering snorkeling at an affordable rate. The waters surrounding Jolly Buoy are clear enough for a perfect inside view underwater. The water is stable, and the currents are stable near the shoreline, which doesn't mix the underlying sand from mixing with the water, allowing it to stay clear. The marine life is well preserved and abundant. The shoreline is filled with large herds of corals, including blue, red, and sponge, that house a wide variety of some of the most unique fish in the Andamans, including the fairly rare clown and zebra fish. All trips to the island have to be made via a ferry or boat, which leaves from the Wandoor Jetty and reaches there in half an hour. A standard snorkeling package includes all tickets, ferries, permits, and snorkeling equipment so you can enjoy your impeccable experience without any second thoughts. For those who'd like to travel there by themselves, a special permit to snorkel is needed, which is issued by the forest department, so make sure to take care of that before planning your trip. Furthermore, for ferry ticketing, a photo with identity and residence proof is required. Another thing to note is that, to preserve the coral population, Jolly Buoy is open only for 6 months, from April to November (subject to change), after which the Red Skin Island is open for tourists.
Age limit for Snorkeling in the islands?
Children above 10 years of age and people below 60 can easily enjoy snorkeling, given an experienced snorkeler is present there to assist.?
People who are not allowed to snorkel in the Isles include:
Pregnant Women
Senior citizens above the age of 60
People with heart conditions
People with breathing difficulties
People under heavy medication or in need of care
People with psychological conditions that cause distortion or panic underwater
