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THINGS TO DO · SNORKELING
Snorkeling in Andaman
The cheapest, easiest way to meet the reef. Pull on a mask and a life jacket, put your face in the water, and the fish come to you — no experience, no diving skill, all ages welcome.
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Where
Elephant Beach, Jolly Buoy (seasonal), North Bay, Bharatpur (Neil)
Season
October–May · best visibility for spotting fish
Duration
30–45 min in the water
Price range
₹600–₹800 per person
Who can do it
All ages with a life jacket · no experience needed
What It’s Like
The most reef for the least money
Snorkelling is where most people fall in love with the Andaman underwater world, and it costs a fraction of a dive. You wade or hop off a boat into warm, shallow water over a reef, float on the surface with a mask and snorkel, and look down at a slow-moving city of parrotfish, clownfish, sea cucumbers and the occasional turtle. With a life jacket on, you don’t even have to know how to swim — you bob effortlessly while a guide points out what’s below.
It suits everyone from restless kids to cautious grandparents, and it needs almost nothing from you: put your face in, breathe through the tube, and drift. On a clear October-to-May day the visibility is superb, and at spots like Jolly Buoy the coral is genuinely pristine because it’s a protected marine park. We book guided sessions with proper gear and life jackets, and we’ll steer you to the spot that matches your island route and comfort level.
Why we love it
The most budget-friendly water activity here- Life jacket means non-swimmers can join
- Works for kids and seniors alike
- Pairs perfectly with sea walking on the same trip
Where to Snorkel
Andaman’s best snorkelling spots
Four reefs, four different moods. We’ll fit the right one into your island route — some are easy add-ons, one is a seasonal marine park worth planning around.
Havelock
Elephant Beach
The all-rounder and most popular spot. A shallow reef starts just off the sand, reached by a short boat ride or a jungle walk from Radhanagar. Easy to combine with sea walking on the same outing.
Best for: first-timers & easy access
Seasonal marine park
Jolly Buoy Island
Part of a protected marine national park with some of the clearest water and healthiest coral in the islands. Open roughly November–May only, plastic-free, reached by boat from Wandoor near Port Blair.
Best for: pristine coral & clarity
Port Blair
North Bay Island
The handiest snorkelling from Port Blair, and an easy add to the Ross & North Bay day trip. A good first taste of the reef before you head to Havelock and Neil.
Best for: a quick first go near the capital
Neil Island
Bharatpur Beach
Calm, shallow and coral-rich right off the beach — the gentlest spot of all. Ideal for young kids and nervous first-timers during a Neil Island stop.
Best for: families & the youngest snorkellers
Plan a Good Session
Three things worth knowing
Small stuff that makes the difference between a great snorkel and a so-so one.
1. Time it right
October to May brings the clearest water and calmest seas; the June–September monsoon drops visibility. Mornings are usually calmer than afternoons — we book early where we can.
2. What’s provided
Mask, snorkel, fins and a life jacket come with every guided session, and an instructor stays in the water with your group. Just bring reef-safe sunscreen, a towel and a change of clothes.
3. Look, don’t touch
Coral is a living animal and breaks easily — no standing on it, no chasing or feeding the fish. We only book operators who brief this properly and keep the reef healthy.
Plan It Properly
Build snorkelling into your trip
Tour Package
Adventure & Scuba Package
Snorkelling pairs with sea walking, diving and bioluminescence kayaking in our 6N/7D adventure itinerary — the fullest way to experience the reef across Havelock and beyond.
Destination
Havelock (Swaraj Dweep)
Home of Elephant Beach, the islands’ most popular snorkelling reef. See the beaches, ferries and stays that make Havelock the base for time in the water.
Good to Know
Snorkelling questions, answered
The honest answers we give on WhatsApp every day.
Can non-swimmers and kids snorkel?
Yes. Every guided session includes a life jacket that keeps you floating face-down effortlessly, and an instructor stays in the water with the group. Small children snorkel alongside a parent with a guide right there. If you can float and breathe through the snorkel tube, you can do it — no swimming skill required.
Where’s the best snorkelling in Andaman?
Elephant Beach on Havelock is the easiest and most popular, and combines well with sea walking. Jolly Buoy Island — a protected marine park open roughly November to May — has the clearest water and best coral. Bharatpur on Neil is the gentlest for families, and North Bay is the handiest option from Port Blair.
How much does snorkelling cost?
It’s the most budget-friendly water activity in the islands — roughly ₹600–₹800 per person for a guided session with all the gear included. Jolly Buoy involves an extra boat and marine-park entry from Wandoor, which we’ll always itemise separately so there are no surprises.
Ready to book your snorkelling session?
Tell us your dates and who’s travelling — we’ll build a custom itinerary with exact, itemised pricing, snorkelling included. No obligation, no pressure.