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Plan your Andaman holiday with local experts based in Port Blair
There are beautiful beaches across the Andaman Islands, but there is only one Jolly Buoy. Tucked inside the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park approximately 30 kilometres from Port Blair, this small, uninhabited island is widely regarded as the finest eco-tourism destination in all of India - a protected coral paradise where the water is so clear that reef patches are visible from the boat before you even step ashore. Jolly Buoy is not an island you stumble across. It requires advance planning, a permit, an early start from Wandoor Jetty and a commitment to its strict conservation rules. What it gives in return is an underwater world of living corals, vivid tropical fish and crystal-clear lagoons that most visitors describe as the single best experience of their entire Andaman trip.
Jolly Buoy Island is located within the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, off the coast of Wandoor Beach in South Andaman. The island is reached by a 35 to 50 minute ferry ride from Wandoor Jetty, which is itself approximately 25 to 30 kilometres from Port Blair - making the total journey from the city around 1.5 to 2 hours each way. The boat ride through mangrove creeks and open sea is scenic in its own right and builds the sense of arrival at somewhere genuinely special.
What makes Jolly Buoy exceptional is the quality and density of its coral ecosystem. Due to consistent conservation management under the Andaman Islands Administration, the island supports the densest and most diverse coral population in the Andaman chain - red corals, blue corals, sponge corals and intricate reef structures that house an extraordinary variety of marine species. The waters are exceptionally shallow and clear near the beach, with underwater visibility reaching up to 10 to 12 metres on good weather days, making it one of the most accessible and rewarding snorkelling sites in India for visitors of all experience levels.
Access to Jolly Buoy Island is strictly regulated. The island is open only from October to mid-May and alternates seasons with nearby Red Skin Island to allow coral recovery. It is closed on Mondays. A forest permit is required, plastic is entirely banned on the island, and visitor numbers are managed to protect the reef. These rules are not inconveniences - they are the reason the coral here is still alive and magnificent while reefs elsewhere in the region have degraded. Jolly Buoy is a flagship example of what conservation-led tourism looks like when it is done properly.
Jolly Buoy Island is the kind of place that makes you reconsider every other beach you have ever visited. The water turns from turquoise to jade as the boat approaches, with reef patches visible through the hull before you disembark. Once on shore, the white sand beach is clean, quiet and backed by coastal vegetation that has never been touched by development. The only sounds are the sea, the wind and the occasional call of a seabird.
Snorkelling at Jolly Buoy is the headline experience and it genuinely deserves its reputation. The shallow, crystal-clear waters allow even first-time snorkellers to see the reef with complete clarity - colourful fish, intricate coral formations, sea turtles on occasion and the kind of underwater diversity that usually requires deep dives to find elsewhere. Snorkelling gear is available to rent on the island, and 10 to 15 minutes of guided snorkelling time is typically included with boat tickets, with the option to extend. The water near the beach is shallow enough that the corals are sometimes almost at the surface during low tide, though visitors are advised not to enter the water at those times to avoid damaging the reef.
For those who prefer to stay dry, glass-bottom boat rides offer an equally remarkable window into the underwater world. These rides are enormously popular at Jolly Buoy - more so than at any other Andaman island - because they allow everyone, including children and non-swimmers, to observe the coral gardens and marine life in complete comfort. The glass floor glides over reef structures and schools of tropical fish, delivering a view of the underwater world that is genuinely breathtaking even without getting wet.
There are no food or accommodation facilities on Jolly Buoy Island. The island is deliberately kept free of infrastructure to protect the ecosystem. Visitors must carry their own food, water and supplies from Port Blair or Wandoor - and all of it must be brought in containers that comply with the island's strict no-plastic policy. Jute bags are available for hire at the Forest Department office at Wandoor Jetty for those who need them.
Plan Your Jolly Buoy Island Trip with Our Local ExpertsJolly Buoy Island offers a focused, immersive experience built entirely around its extraordinary natural environment. Here is what to expect and plan for during your visit to this protected coral island.
Snorkelling at Jolly Buoy Island is the definitive Andaman underwater experience. The exceptionally shallow and clear waters - visibility up to 10 to 12 metres on good days - allow visitors of all experience levels to explore living coral gardens teeming with colourful reef fish, sea turtles and a diversity of marine species found nowhere else in Indian waters. Snorkelling gear is available to rent on the island and guided sessions are included with boat tickets. The reef here is remarkably dense and well-preserved due to consistent conservation management, making every snorkelling session a genuine encounter with one of India's most protected marine ecosystems.
The glass-bottom boat ride at Jolly Buoy is the most popular single activity on the island - and for good reason. The transparent floor allows passengers to observe the coral reef and marine life in complete clarity without entering the water, making it ideal for children, non-swimmers and anyone who wants a comfortable but equally extraordinary view of the underwater world. The boat glides over reef structures, coral colonies and schools of tropical fish, delivering an experience that is genuinely stunning for first-time and repeat visitors alike. Boats can be booked directly at the island.
Beyond the water, Jolly Buoy offers a pristine white sand beach backed by untouched coastal vegetation - one of the few genuinely undeveloped island beaches in South Andaman. The beach is clean, quiet and entirely free of commercial infrastructure, making it an ideal place to relax, walk along the shore and simply absorb the natural beauty of a protected island environment. Short guided nature walks through the island's coastal vegetation are also available, offering a closer look at the plant and bird species that inhabit this carefully conserved ecosystem.
The exceptional water clarity and rich coral biodiversity at Jolly Buoy make it one of the finest underwater photography locations in India. Underwater cameras and GoPro-compatible equipment can be rented on the island, and the shallow reef conditions mean that even entry-level equipment produces remarkable results. The combination of vivid coral formations, schools of zebra fish, colourful reef species and clear natural light creates photographic opportunities that are difficult to replicate anywhere else in the Andaman chain. For serious photographers, arriving on an early boat and spending the full permitted island time in the water is strongly recommended.
| Location | Jolly Buoy Island, Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park - reached by boat from Wandoor Jetty, approximately 30 km from Port Blair |
|---|---|
| Season Open | October to mid-May (alternates with Red Skin Island on a six-month rotation for coral conservation). Closed on Mondays |
| Best Time to Visit | November to April - calmest seas, clearest water and best underwater visibility for snorkelling and photography |
| How to Reach | Drive from Port Blair to Wandoor Jetty (45–60 min) then boat from Wandoor to Jolly Buoy Island (35–50 min). All boats depart from 8:30 AM - arrive at Wandoor by 8:00 AM at the latest |
| Permits Required | Forest permit required - obtainable from the Forest Department at Wandoor Jetty or through authorised tour operators in Port Blair. Book in advance during peak season |
| Key Activities | Snorkelling, glass-bottom boat rides, underwater photography, beach walks, coastal nature walks |
| Conservation Rules | Strict no-plastic zone - no plastic bottles or bags permitted. Jute bags available for hire at Wandoor Forest Office. Do not touch or stand on corals. Swim only in designated zones |
| Facilities on Island | No food stalls, no accommodation, no ATMs on the island. Carry all food, water and supplies from Port Blair or Wandoor in non-plastic containers |
| Nearby Attractions | Red Skin Island, Wandoor Beach, Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park Museum, Chidiya Tapu, Munda Pahad Beach |
The most critical tip for Jolly Buoy Island is to sort your permits and boat tickets before you arrive at Wandoor Jetty. During peak season from December to February, permits sell out and boats fill up quickly. Book through an authorised tour operator in Port Blair or visit the Forest Department office at Wandoor the day before your planned visit. Arriving at the jetty without a permit on a busy morning and missing the boat is one of the most common - and entirely avoidable - disappointments in Andaman tourism.
Leave Port Blair by 7:00 AM to reach Wandoor Jetty by 8:00 AM. Boats begin departing from 8:30 AM and the last boats return by 2:00 to 3:30 PM, giving visitors approximately 2 to 3 hours on the island. This window is enough to snorkel, take a glass-bottom boat ride, walk the beach and have a peaceful lunch - but only if you are on an early boat. Later boats offer less time on the island.
Respect the no-plastic rule without exception. Jolly Buoy's exceptional coral health is a direct result of its strict conservation management - do not bring plastic bottles, bags or packaging onto the island. Carry water in a reusable bottle, pick up jute bags at the Wandoor Forest Office if needed, and follow all instructions from the island guides regarding designated swimming zones and coral proximity. The reef at Jolly Buoy is alive, and every visitor who follows the rules contributes to keeping it that way.
Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, comfortable water shoes and a light waterproof bag for valuables. Snorkelling gear is available to rent on the island but bringing your own mask and snorkel ensures a better fit and more comfortable experience. If you plan to photograph underwater, arrange equipment rental in advance through your tour operator as on-island availability can be limited during busy periods.
Jolly Buoy Island is not just one of the best things to do in Port Blair - it is one of the finest eco-tourism experiences in India. The coral reefs here are alive and magnificent precisely because access is controlled, conservation rules are enforced and the island has been protected from the kind of overvisitation that has damaged reefs across the rest of Asia. Visiting Jolly Buoy is not just a pleasure - it is a reminder of what the natural world looks like when it is properly looked after.
Our team at Andaman Vacations India handles all permits, boat bookings and Wandoor transfers for Jolly Buoy Island as part of our Port Blair and South Andaman itineraries. We combine the island trip with Wandoor Beach sunset and the South Andaman coastal circuit to create a full-day experience that covers the very best of this part of the island. Tell us your travel dates and we will take care of every detail from Port Blair to the reef and back.
"I’ve traveled with many agencies, but this one stands out! personalized approach and attention to detail made our honeymoon unforgettable.
