Nullam dignissim, ante scelerisque the is euismod fermentum odio sem semper the is erat, a feugiat leo urna eget eros. Duis Aenean a imperdiet risus.
Nullam dignissim, ante scelerisque the is euismod fermentum odio sem semper the is erat, a feugiat leo urna eget eros. Duis Aenean a imperdiet risus.
Plan your Andaman holiday with local experts based in Port Blair
Red Skin Island is one of the Andaman chain's most remarkable and least crowded coral island experiences - a small, uninhabited paradise inside the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park where red coral gardens line the coastline, the water reaches visibility of up to 20 metres, and the only sounds are the sea and the calls of Andaman's endemic birds. Located approximately 30 kilometres from Port Blair and reached by boat from Wandoor Jetty, Red Skin Island alternates with Jolly Buoy Island on a seasonal rotation designed to allow each reef system to recover and thrive. The island that is open is the island worth visiting - and when Red Skin Island is your window, the experience is extraordinary in every sense.
Red Skin Island takes its name from the abundance of red corals that line its coastline and give the surrounding sea a distinctive reddish hue when viewed from above. The island is one of 15 within the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, a protected marine zone that encompasses some of the richest and most carefully managed coral ecosystems in the Indian Ocean. Like all islands within the park, Red Skin is uninhabited, strictly regulated and entirely free of commercial development - which is precisely what makes it so extraordinary.
The island is situated about 30 kilometres from Port Blair and is reached by a 30 to 45 minute boat ride from Wandoor Jetty following a 45 to 60 minute drive from the city. The beach is small and surrounded by dense tropical vegetation, with the primary attraction lying beneath the surface. The coral gardens here are home to colourful fish, sea cucumbers, anemones, sea turtles and a diversity of reef species that thrive under the park's consistent conservation management. Underwater visibility extends up to 20 metres during the dry season, making it one of the clearest and most rewarding snorkelling sites in India.
Red Skin Island operates on a seasonal rotation with Jolly Buoy Island - when one is open to visitors, the other is closed for ecological recovery. This alternating system is the foundation of the park's conservation success and the reason both islands continue to support such exceptional marine biodiversity. A forest permit is required for entry, visitor numbers are strictly limited each day, and a complete no-plastic policy is enforced on the island without exception.
Red Skin Island is the kind of destination that reminds you why the Andaman Islands are considered one of the finest marine environments on earth. The boat ride from Wandoor passes through mangrove creeks and open sea before the island appears - small, forested and entirely unspoiled. As the boat approaches, coral patches are already visible through the water below, a preview of what waits beneath the surface.
Snorkelling at Red Skin Island is the centrepiece of any visit. The shallow, exceptionally clear waters allow even first-time snorkellers to explore the reef in complete comfort - colourful fish weave through intricate coral structures, sea cucumbers and anemones cling to the reef floor, and on lucky days sea turtles glide through the water just metres from the shore. The calm, protected bay conditions mean the sea here is gentle enough for all ages, and guided snorkelling sessions with equipment rental are available directly on the island.
Beyond the underwater world, Red Skin Island also supports a notable variety of terrestrial wildlife. The island is home to several endemic Andaman bird species including the Andaman Bulbul and White-Bellied Sea Eagle, as well as hermit crabs that can be found moving along the sandy beach in the shallows. The dense coastal vegetation that backs the beach adds a layer of natural beauty and shade that makes the island feel genuinely remote and alive in every direction, not just beneath the water.
There are no food stalls, shops or accommodation on Red Skin Island. The island is deliberately free of any infrastructure to protect the ecosystem - visitors must carry all food, water and supplies from Port Blair or Wandoor in non-plastic containers. This is not an inconvenience but a condition of the island's extraordinary preservation. The reef at Red Skin Island is alive and magnificent precisely because it has been protected from the overvisitation and commercial activity that has degraded reefs across the rest of Asia.
Plan Your Red Skin Island Trip with Our Local ExpertsRed Skin Island offers a focused, immersive experience built entirely around its extraordinary natural environment - above and below the waterline. Here is what to plan for during your visit to this protected coral island.
Snorkelling at Red Skin Island is the defining experience of the visit and one of the finest reef snorkelling opportunities in India. The shallow, crystal-clear waters - visibility extending up to 20 metres during the dry season - allow visitors of all experience levels to explore vibrant coral gardens just metres from the shore. Colourful fish, sea cucumbers, anemones and occasional sea turtles inhabit the reef in extraordinary numbers. The signature red corals that give the island its name are particularly vivid at close range. Snorkelling gear is available to rent on the island and guided sessions are included with most boat packages, with the option to extend.
For visitors who prefer to stay dry, glass-bottom boat rides over the Red Skin Island reef offer an equally breathtaking view of the coral gardens and marine life below. The transparent floor glides over red coral formations, schools of tropical fish and reef structures that unfold like underwater art, delivering a vivid and memorable encounter with the marine world without any swimming required. This activity is ideal for families with children, elderly visitors and anyone who wants an unobstructed view of one of the Andaman's most extraordinary underwater environments in complete comfort. Boats can be booked directly on the island.
Red Skin Island is not only a marine destination - its dense coastal forest and unspoiled beach environment support a notable variety of terrestrial wildlife. Endemic Andaman bird species including the Andaman Bulbul, White-Bellied Sea Eagle and Andaman Drongo have been recorded on the island, making it a rewarding spot for birdwatchers who arrive early. Hermit crabs can be observed along the shoreline and in the shallows, adding another dimension to the island's biodiversity. The combination of marine reef, forested interior and open beach creates one of the most naturally complete wildlife environments of any small island in South Andaman.
The beach at Red Skin Island is small, pristine and entirely undeveloped - a white sand shoreline backed by dense tropical vegetation with the open sea and reef clearly visible in the shallows. With visitor numbers strictly limited each day, the beach is genuinely quiet even during peak season, making it one of the most peaceful and photogenic island settings within reach of Port Blair. The combination of red coral visible through turquoise water, lush green forest and uncluttered shoreline creates photographic conditions that are difficult to replicate anywhere else in the Andaman chain. Bring your best camera and allow time simply to sit and absorb the surroundings.
| Location | Red Skin Island, Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park - reached by boat from Wandoor Jetty, approximately 30 km from Port Blair |
|---|---|
| Season Open | Alternates with Jolly Buoy Island on a six-month rotation for coral conservation - generally open June to November. Always confirm the current open island before travel |
| Best Time to Visit | November to April - calmest seas, best underwater visibility (up to 20 metres) and ideal conditions for snorkelling and photography |
| How to Reach | Drive from Port Blair to Wandoor Jetty (45–60 min), then boat from Wandoor to Red Skin Island (30–45 min). Depart Port Blair by 7:00 AM - all boats leave Wandoor from 8:30 AM |
| Permits Required | Forest permit mandatory - obtainable from the Forest Department at Wandoor Jetty or through authorised tour operators in Port Blair. Book at least one day in advance; ID proof required at registration |
| Key Activities | Snorkelling over red coral gardens, glass-bottom boat rides, birdwatching, island beach walks, underwater photography |
| Conservation Rules | Strict no-plastic zone - no plastic bottles, bags or packaging permitted. Do not touch, stand on or collect corals or shells. Swim only in designated zones under guide supervision. No littering of any kind |
| Facilities on Island | No food stalls, no shops, no accommodation and no ATMs on the island. Carry all food, water and supplies from Port Blair in non-plastic containers |
| Nearby Attractions | Jolly Buoy Island, Wandoor Beach, Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park Museum, Chidiya Tapu, Munda Pahad Beach, Corbyn's Cove Beach |
The single most important step before visiting Red Skin Island is to confirm it is currently open. Red Skin and Jolly Buoy Island alternate on a seasonal rotation - only one is open at any given time. Check with your hotel, a local tour operator or the Forest Department at Wandoor Jetty the day before your planned visit. Travelling to Wandoor without confirming which island is open is the most easily avoided mistake in South Andaman tourism.
Permits for Red Skin Island must be booked at least one day in advance and can sell out quickly during peak season from December to February. Arrange your permit and boat ticket through an authorised tour operator in Port Blair or visit the Forest Department counter at Wandoor Jetty the afternoon before your trip. Carry valid ID proof - it is required at the jetty registration desk before boarding.
Leave Port Blair by 7:00 AM to reach Wandoor Jetty in time for the first boats, which depart from 8:30 AM. Arriving on an early boat maximises your time on the island - most return boats leave by 2:00 to 3:30 PM, giving visitors approximately 2 to 3 hours on the reef and beach. Use this time well: snorkel first while your energy is highest, take the glass-bottom boat ride mid-visit, and allow the final 30 minutes for quiet beach time and photography before boarding the return boat.
Carry reef-safe sunscreen, a reusable water bottle, snacks in non-plastic wrapping, a hat and comfortable water shoes. If you have your own snorkelling mask and snorkel, bring them for the best fit and comfort. Underwater cameras and GoPros are ideal for the reef conditions here - the water clarity and coral colour at Red Skin Island produce results that make the effort of carrying equipment entirely worthwhile. Follow all instructions from island guides regarding coral proximity, designated swimming zones and waste disposal without exception.
Red Skin Island is one of those rare travel experiences where the natural world exceeds every expectation. The red coral gardens, extraordinary water clarity, endemic birdlife and complete absence of commercial development create an island environment that feels genuinely untouched - because it is. This is what the Andaman Islands look like when conservation comes first and tourism comes second, and the result is one of the most memorable half-day experiences available anywhere in India.
Our team at Andaman Vacations India handles all permits, boat arrangements and Wandoor transfers for Red Skin Island as part of our Port Blair and South Andaman itineraries. We confirm island availability in advance, combine the trip with Wandoor Beach sunset and the South Andaman coastal circuit, and take care of every logistical detail so that your time on the island is spent entirely on what matters - the reef, the sea and the silence. Tell us your travel dates and we will build an Andaman itinerary that makes the most of every extraordinary destination this island chain has to offer.
"I’ve traveled with many agencies, but this one stands out! personalized approach and attention to detail made our honeymoon unforgettable.
