Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park

Andaman Islands

LoginSave

Comprising 15 islands of mangrove creeks, tropical rainforest and reefs supporting 50 types of coral and plenty of colourful fish, the 280-sq-km Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park is ideal for snorkelling (gear rental ₹300). Three boats depart on half-day trips from Wandoor Jetty from 7.30am depending on demand, costing ₹885 in addition to the permit (Indian/foreigner ₹75/1000) you'll need to prearrange from Port Blair's tourist office up to three days ahead. No plastics allowed.

The marine park’s snorkelling sites alternate every six months between Jolly Buoy and Red Skin, allowing the other to regenerate.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Cellular Jail, so named due to comprising solely of solitary confinement cells, now a National Memorial.

    Cellular Jail National Memorial

    10.76 MILES

    A former British prison, the Cellular Jail now serves as a shrine to the political dissidents it once imprisoned. Construction began in 1896 and was…

  • Anthropological Museum

    Anthropological Museum

    10.01 MILES

    Port Blair's engaging anthropology museum provides a thorough and sympathetic portrait of the islands’ indigenous tribal communities. The glass display…

  • Munda Pahar Beach

    Munda Pahar Beach

    9.13 MILES

    Loved for its fiery sunsets and wonderfully natural setting, this powdery silver-sand beach is popular with day trippers, although swimming was prohibited…

  • Corbyn’s Cove

    Corbyn’s Cove

    9.74 MILES

    No one comes to Port Blair for the beach, but, if you need a break from town, this small curve of silver sand backed by palms sits 6km south of central…

  • Chatham Sawmill

    Chatham Sawmill

    10.09 MILES

    On Chatham Island (reached by a road bridge), Port Blair's sawmill was set up by the British in 1883 and was one of the largest wood processors in Asia…

  • Samudrika Naval Marine Museum

    Samudrika Naval Marine Museum

    9.52 MILES

    Run by the Indian Navy, this diverse museum provides helpful insight into the islands’ ecosystems, tribal communities, flora and fauna (including a small…

  • Chidiya Tapu Biological Park

    Chidiya Tapu Biological Park

    8.25 MILES

    A pleasant place to stroll in a forested setting with natural enclosures for indigenous species, such as crab-eating macaques, Andaman wild pigs and…

View more attractions

Nearby Andaman Islands attractions

1. Wandoor Beach

0.84 MILES

Wandoor has a lovely blonde beach, though at the time of writing swimming was prohibited due to a fatal crocodile attack in 2017.

2. Chidiya Tapu Biological Park

8.25 MILES

A pleasant place to stroll in a forested setting with natural enclosures for indigenous species, such as crab-eating macaques, Andaman wild pigs and…

3. Munda Pahar Beach

9.13 MILES

Loved for its fiery sunsets and wonderfully natural setting, this powdery silver-sand beach is popular with day trippers, although swimming was prohibited…

4. Samudrika Naval Marine Museum

9.52 MILES

Run by the Indian Navy, this diverse museum provides helpful insight into the islands’ ecosystems, tribal communities, flora and fauna (including a small…

5. Corbyn’s Cove

9.74 MILES

No one comes to Port Blair for the beach, but, if you need a break from town, this small curve of silver sand backed by palms sits 6km south of central…

6. Anthropological Museum

10.01 MILES

Port Blair's engaging anthropology museum provides a thorough and sympathetic portrait of the islands’ indigenous tribal communities. The glass display…

7. Chatham Sawmill

10.09 MILES

On Chatham Island (reached by a road bridge), Port Blair's sawmill was set up by the British in 1883 and was one of the largest wood processors in Asia…

8. Gandhi Statue

10.13 MILES

Like most Indian cities, Port Blair has a memorial statue of Mahatma Gandhi standing in a busy roundabout.