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Plan your Andaman holiday with local experts based in Port Blair
There is nowhere else in India quite like the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park. Spread across 281.5 square kilometres of protected sea, island and reef off the Wandoor coast of South Andaman, this is the country's premier marine conservation zone, a living aquarium of extraordinary biodiversity where over 50 species of coral, 270 species of fish, nesting sea turtles, saltwater crocodiles and 36 species of birds coexist under some of the strictest and most effective eco-tourism management in Asia. For any traveller visiting Port Blair, a day at the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park is not simply a recommended excursion. It is the experience that defines an Andaman holiday.
Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park is located at Wandoor on the southwestern coast of South Andaman Island, approximately 29 kilometres from Port Blair city centre, a 45 to 60 minute drive. Established on 24th May 1983 specifically for the protection of marine life including corals and nesting sea turtles, the park covers 281.5 square kilometres of protected marine habitat encompassing 15 islands, coral reefs, mangrove forests, tropical rainforests, seagrass beds and tidal lagoons. The park boundary runs along the southwestern coast of South Andaman between Rutland Island and the South Andaman mainland, placing it among the most biologically significant marine protected areas in the Indian Ocean.
The park is managed by the Chief Wildlife Warden of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Forest Department under a conservation framework that strictly controls visitor access, bans plastic across all island zones and rotates tourist access between islands to allow coral recovery. Most of the park's 15 islands are entirely closed to visitors and preserved as undisturbed conservation zones. Only the designated visitor islands, primarily Jolly Buoy Island and Red Skin Island, are opened to tourists, alternating on a six-month rotation to protect their reef systems. This carefully managed approach is the direct reason the coral ecosystems here remain so alive, dense and diverse.
The park also has a visitor centre, a marine museum and a turtle breeding centre at Wandoor Jetty, which serve as the primary gateway for all island-bound boats. The museum provides important ecological context on the park's biodiversity and conservation history before visitors head out to the reef islands, making a short visit to the museum a worthwhile first stop on any full-day park itinerary.
A day at the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park begins at Wandoor Jetty, where the smell of salt and outboard engines mixes with the quiet anticipation of visitors tightening snorkel straps and checking waterproof bags. As the boat moves away from the jetty and into open water, the sea shifts from deep blue to turquoise, and within minutes coral shapes become visible beneath the hull, an underwater city of reef structures, fish movement and living colour that grows more vivid as the boat approaches the island.
The marine biodiversity within the park is extraordinary by any measure. The reef systems support over 50 species of coral including red corals, blue corals, sponge corals and intricate branching formations. The fish population includes over 270 recorded species, angelfish, clownfish, parrotfish, surgeonfish, grouper, lionfish, butterflyfish and many more, alongside sea turtles, starfish, sea cucumbers, molluscs, giant robber crabs and saltwater crocodiles in the mangrove zones. For snorkellers and glass-bottom boat riders, even a single two-hour session on the reef produces wildlife encounters that rival anything available at far more famous dive destinations across Southeast Asia.
Above the waterline, the park's islands support a rich terrestrial ecosystem as well. The mangrove forests, particularly extensive on Tarmugli Island, the park's largest, provide critical habitat for birds including the White-Bellied Sea Eagle, Andaman Teal, Andaman Bulbul, Andaman Drongo, herons, terns, parakeets and swifts. The park has recorded 36 bird species across its islands and coastal zones, making it one of the most productive birdwatching destinations in South Andaman for visitors who arrive early and explore quietly.
The park also serves as a vital nesting ground for Olive Ridley and Green sea turtles, with the turtle breeding centre at Wandoor playing an active role in conservation and hatchling release programmes. Visitors can learn about this work at the museum before their island trip, and on occasion may encounter turtles in the water during snorkelling sessions, one of the most treasured wildlife experiences the park has to offer.
Plan Your Marine National Park Visit with Our Local ExpertsThe Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park offers a layered, full-day experience spanning reef snorkelling, glass-bottom boat rides, island beaches, mangrove ecosystems, marine wildlife and birdwatching. Here is what to plan for during your visit.
The park's two visitor islands, Jolly Buoy Island and Red Skin Island, are the centrepiece of any Marine National Park visit and among the finest coral island experiences in India. Both are uninhabited, strictly protected and entirely free of commercial development. They alternate on a six-month rotation for coral recovery, meaning only one is open at any given time, and whichever is open is worth every effort to reach. All boats depart from Wandoor Jetty by 8:30 to 9:00 AM, giving visitors approximately 2 to 3 hours on the island before the return journey. Advance permits and boat tickets are essential, particularly during peak season from December to February.
Snorkelling over the park's reef systems is the single most popular activity at the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, and the quality of the experience consistently exceeds expectations. The shallow, crystal-clear waters, visibility up to 20 metres at Jolly Buoy and Red Skin Island, allow visitors of all experience levels to explore living coral gardens teeming with colourful fish and marine life. For those who prefer to stay dry, glass-bottom boat rides deliver an equally breathtaking window into the underwater world, with reef structures, coral colonies and schools of tropical fish visible through the transparent floor in complete comfort.
The Forest Department's marine museum at Wandoor Jetty provides excellent ecological context on the park's biodiversity, coral systems, marine species and conservation history before visitors head out to the islands. It is a worthwhile 30-minute stop that significantly enriches the island experience, particularly for families with children and visitors with an interest in marine biology. The adjacent turtle breeding centre is home to active Olive Ridley and Green turtle conservation programmes, including hatchling release initiatives that visitors can learn about from the on-site wardens. Both facilities are free to enter and open during park visiting hours.
The park's 15 islands support 36 recorded bird species across coastal forest, mangrove and open shore habitats, including the White-Bellied Sea Eagle, Andaman Teal, Andaman Bulbul, herons, terns and swifts. Early morning visits to the Wandoor coastline and the accessible island shores reward patient birdwatchers with excellent sightings. The mangrove forests visible from the boat ride between Wandoor and the visitor islands are also a significant ecological attraction in their own right, dense, layered and teeming with life above and below the waterline. Tarmugli Island, the park's largest island, is known for its extensive mangrove coverage, visible from boat on clear days.
| Location | Wandoor, South Andaman Island, approximately 29 km from Port Blair city centre, 45 to 60 minute drive |
|---|---|
| Established | 24th May 1983, for the protection of marine life including corals and nesting sea turtles |
| Park Area | 281.5 square kilometres of protected marine habitat encompassing 15 islands, coral reefs, mangroves, tropical forests and tidal lagoons |
| Best Time to Visit | October to April, calmest seas, clearest water, best underwater visibility and all boat services fully operational |
| Visitor Islands | Jolly Buoy Island and Red Skin Island, open alternately on a six-month rotation. Confirm which island is open before travel. Closed on Mondays |
| How to Reach | By road from Port Blair to Wandoor Jetty (45–60 min) by taxi, auto-rickshaw or self-drive; by government bus from Aberdeen Bazaar every 30 minutes between 6 AM and 8 PM |
| Permits and Tickets | Forest permit mandatory for island visits, obtainable from the Forest Department counter at Wandoor Jetty or through authorised tour operators in Port Blair. Book at least one day in advance during peak season. Valid ID proof required |
| Key Activities | Snorkelling, glass-bottom boat rides, island beach walks, marine museum visit, turtle breeding centre, birdwatching, mangrove boat views, underwater photography |
| Conservation Rules | Strict no-plastic zone across all islands, no plastic bottles, bags or packaging permitted on any island. Do not touch or stand on corals. Swim in designated zones only. No collection of shells, corals or marine specimens |
| Biodiversity | 50+ coral species, 270+ fish species, 78 mollusc species, 36 bird species, 12 mangrove species, Olive Ridley and Green sea turtles, saltwater crocodiles, hermit crabs |
| Nearby Attractions | Wandoor Beach, Chidiya Tapu, Munda Pahad Beach, Corbyn's Cove Beach, Cellular Jail Port Blair, Mount Harriet National Park |
Plan a full day for the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, not a half-day. The drive from Port Blair to Wandoor takes up to an hour each way, the boat to the island takes 35 to 50 minutes each way, and the island itself deserves at least two hours of unhurried exploration. Factor in time at the marine museum and turtle centre before boarding your boat, and allow the late afternoon for a sunset walk on Wandoor Beach after the return boat docks. A full-day park itinerary from 7 AM to 6 PM is the ideal way to experience everything this destination has to offer.
Always confirm which island, Jolly Buoy or Red Skin, is currently open before travelling to Wandoor. The rotation schedule is managed by the Forest Department and changes twice yearly. Your tour operator or hotel reception can confirm current island availability, and the Forest Department at Wandoor Jetty will have the same information. Travelling all the way to Wandoor without confirming island status is the most avoidable mistake in South Andaman tourism.
Arrive at Wandoor Jetty by 8:00 AM at the latest. All boats depart between 8:30 and 9:00 AM and the last return boats leave the island by 2:00 to 3:30 PM. Permits for the islands are available at the Forest Department counter at Wandoor but sell out quickly on busy days, particularly during December to February peak season. Our team at AndamanVacation.com arranges all permits and boat tickets in advance as part of our South Andaman itineraries, removing the uncertainty entirely.
The no-plastic rule across all park islands is absolute and non-negotiable. Carry water in reusable bottles, food in cloth or jute wrapping and leave nothing behind on the island, not even fruit peels. Jute bags are available for hire at the Wandoor Forest Office for visitors who need them. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, comfortable water shoes, insect repellent and a dry bag for valuables. If snorkelling is a priority, bringing your own mask and snorkel ensures the best fit, though rental equipment is available on the islands.
The Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park is the single most important natural destination in the Port Blair region, a place where 40 years of rigorous conservation management have produced a marine ecosystem of extraordinary richness and beauty that is available to visitors who are willing to follow its rules and respect its boundaries. For families, couples, nature lovers, wildlife photographers and anyone visiting Andaman for the first time, a day in this park is not optional. It is the experience that defines what the Andaman Islands are.
Our team at Andaman Vacations India includes the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park in all South Andaman itineraries, handling every detail from Port Blair pickup and Wandoor transfer to island permits, boat tickets and the return sunset circuit at Wandoor Beach. Tell us your travel dates and we will build an Andaman itinerary that gives this extraordinary destination exactly the time and planning it deserves.
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