Red Skin Island, Andaman.
Andaman's Best Kept Monsoon Secret.

About Red Skin Island of the Andaman Islands

Red Skin Island sits within the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, the same protected marine zone that contains its better-known neighbour Jolly Buoy Island. Located about 30 kilometres south of Port Blair near the village of Wandoor, the island is accessible by ferry from Wandoor Jetty and forms part of a cluster of islands that together make up one of India's most carefully preserved coastal ecosystems.

The island takes its name from the distinctive reddish tint of its soil, a characteristic that sets it apart visually from the white sand islands more commonly associated with Andaman. The beach here is beautiful but the real draw is what lies just beneath the water's surface. The coral reef surrounding Red Skin Island has had decades of protection under national park regulations and the marine life here reflects that care.

Parrotfish, pufferfish, clownfish, sea turtles and a wide variety of reef fish inhabit the shallow waters around the island. The coral formations, while perhaps slightly less dramatic than those at Jolly Buoy, are healthy and well-preserved. For anyone visiting Andaman between June and October, Red Skin Island is the most rewarding snorkelling experience available near Port Blair.

The island also has a denser tree cover than Jolly Buoy, which gives it a more forested, wilder character. Combined with the fact that visitor numbers are lower here than at Jolly Buoy during peak season, Red Skin often feels more like a private discovery than a tourist destination. There are no permanent buildings, no restaurants and absolutely no plastic allowed. That is entirely deliberate.

Quick Facts

• Red Skin Island is open from June to October for monsoon-season snorkelling near Port Blair.
• Located inside Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, a protected marine ecosystem.
• Operates on a rotation system with Jolly Buoy Island for reef conservation.
• Named after its reddish soil, giving it a distinct appearance in the Andamans.
• Strict no-plastic zone enforced by the Forest Department.

The History of Red Skin Island
- A Protected Marine Treasure of Andaman

Red Skin Island is one of the beautiful islands located within the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park in South Andaman. Known for its clear waters, coral reefs and rich marine biodiversity, the island has become a popular destination for nature lovers seeking an authentic Andaman experience.

The island gained importance after the establishment of the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park in 1983. The protected area was created to conserve fragile coral ecosystems, mangrove forests, seagrass beds and the diverse marine species that thrive in these tropical waters.

To reduce environmental pressure on nearby islands, Red Skin Island is opened seasonally for tourism when Jolly Buoy Island remains closed. This rotational system helps preserve coral reefs while allowing visitors to enjoy the remarkable underwater beauty of the national park.

Today, Red Skin Island attracts travellers with its peaceful beaches, colourful coral gardens and opportunities for snorkelling and glass-bottom boat rides. Its carefully protected environment makes it one of the finest places in the Andaman Islands to experience marine life in its natural setting.

Plan Your Red Skin Island Tour with Our Local Experts

Why Visit Andaman During Monsoon?
- Red Skin Island Is a Big Part of the Answer

Most people assume the monsoon season from June to October is the wrong time to visit Andaman. The reality is more nuanced than that. Yes, the seas are rougher and some inter-island ferry services are reduced. But Port Blair remains accessible throughout the year, the island is green and lush in a way it simply is not during the dry months and visitor numbers are significantly lower.

Red Skin Island opening during this period is one of the genuine advantages of a monsoon visit. You get a protected marine national park experience, excellent snorkelling and a quiet, uncrowded island setting at a time when most tourists have stayed home. Hotel rates are lower, the landscape is at its most vibrant and Red Skin Island gives you the kind of experience that visitors in peak season have to share with hundreds of other people.

Our team at AndamanVacation.com has been organising monsoon season trips to Port Blair and Red Skin Island for many years. We know exactly how to plan around the weather, which days to schedule the island trip and how to make sure the monsoon works for your holiday rather than against it.

Plan Your Red Skin Island Visit

Tips for Visiting Red Skin Island

• Arrive at Wandoor Jetty by 8:30 AM. The ferry departs early and the island closes in the early afternoon. A late arrival at the jetty can mean missing the boat entirely.
• Carry your own food and drinking water in non-plastic, reusable containers. There are absolutely no food stalls or shops on the island and plastic is banned without exception.
• Use reef-safe, biodegradable sunscreen only. Chemical sunscreens damage coral and the forest department strongly discourages their use within the marine national park. Reef-safe options are available at pharmacies and shops in Port Blair.
• During the monsoon months, check sea conditions the evening before your planned visit. Our team tracks conditions and will advise if rescheduling is needed. Do not take a chance on a day when the sea is rough.
• Do not touch or disturb the coral or any marine life. The reef at Red Skin Island is protected and any interference with the ecosystem is a serious offence under national park regulations.
• Our team at AndamanVacation.com takes care of all the logistics for your Red Skin Island visit including road transport from Port Blair, forest department permits, ferry arrangements and snorkelling equipment hire. You focus entirely on the experience. We sort everything else.

Include Red Skin Island in Your Andaman Itinerary

Red Skin Island deserves far more attention than it typically gets. Our team at Andaman Vacations India has been including it in monsoon season itineraries for over 25 years and the feedback from visitors who make the trip is consistently that it was one of the highlights of their entire Andaman experience. Fewer crowds, a wilder setting and a reef that has been resting all season make for a genuinely special visit.

Tell us your travel dates and we will confirm whether Red Skin or Jolly Buoy will be open, arrange all permits and transport and build a Port Blair day itinerary around your island visit.