Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park (Wandoor)

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India /Andaman and Nicobar /South Andaman /Port Blair

Sight Address : Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park (Wandoor) is located on the South Western coast of South Andaman, in the Bay of Bengal. Edit

Detail InformationEdit

Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park (Wandoor), is a popular tourist attraction in Andaman. This is a fantastic National Park for Marine life in Andaman and is unique all over the world. The pristine beauty Jolly Buoy Island is a part of this National Park. The National Park encloses a stunning golden beach with soft sands and lush green surroundings dense with bushes and coconut palms. This renowned marine park encloses part of open sea & a number of small and large islands and creeks. This is one of the worlds best known scuba diving location in Andaman. One can get a close look of underwater marine life in the beaches of this National Park, including corals and sea weeds. It is advised to take packed lunch and water before proceeding to the Marine National Park. Tourist Coaches are available from Andaman Teal House to Wandoor. Regular bus services are also operated from Bus Terminus to Wandoor.

Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Port Blair

HistoryEdit

Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park (Wandoor), was created 24 May 1983 under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 to protect marine life such as the corals and nesting sea turtles prevalent in the area. It was placed under the protection of the Chief Wildlife Warden of the forest department of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The islands are uninhabited land although, per the 1981 census, there is a population of 3000 living in 8 adjacent villages.

Must SeeEdit

Popular

Visiting TimeEdit

N.A.

Closed OnEdit

Mondays.

Best Season to VisitEdit

Winters (December to February)
Summers (March to mid-May)

Best Time To VisitEdit

Morning , Afternoon , Evening.

Time Required for SightseeingEdit

N.A.

Ticket Required : Yes Edit

Individual National Adult Rs. : Rs. 50/-

Kids Rs. : Rs.25/-

Individual Foreigner Adult Rs. : Rs.500/-

Kids Rs. : N.A.

Still Photo Camera Rs. : Rs.25

Video Camera Rs. : N.A.

Guide Required : No Edit

Approximate cost: N.A.

Dress Code (If Any) : No Edit

Dress Require: N.A.

Restaurants NearbyAdd / Edit

How to ReachEdit

Taxi : Private hire cars are available for local sightseeing around Port Blair and South Andaman.

Bus : Local buses are also available for inter-city and intra-city travel. Very cheap, but you’ll need to ask around to figure out the routes.

Train : N.A.

Air : Port Blair’s Vir Savarkar Airport (IATA: IXZ) is located about 2 km south of the city. Taxis and autorickshaws wait outside the terminal at flight times. Public buses can be flagged down on the main road just outside the airport (cross the road). A bus to Aberdeen Bazaar will cost no more than ₹7. The terminal is small and reasonably modern, with an air-conditioned departure hall, but aside for an overpriced kiosk selling chai and crisps there’s not much to tide you over if your flight is delayed.

Others : Ship : Regular pax ship services are available to Port Blair from Chennai. There are 3 to 4 sailings every month, The voyage takes about 50 to 60 hrs & the ship normally berths at Port Blair for about 2 to 4 days.
Schedules & tariffs can be obtained from:
Shipping Corporation of India Ltd., Jawahar Building, Rajaji Salai, Chennai – 600 001 Tel: 044-25231401to 9, 25225835,25231407.
The Deputy Director of Shipping Services, A&N Administration, 6, Rajaji Salai, Chennai – 600 001 Tel: 044-25220841, 25226873
Estimated Fares: Name of Vessel and fare per berth
M.V.Nicobar Rs.5,880; M.V.Nancowry RS.4,860; M.V.Swarajdweep Rs.1,510 to Rs.3,870;M.V.Harshvardhana Rs.1,510 to Rs.5,880;M.V.Akbar Rs.1,310 to Rs.5

Auto-rickshaws : Auto-rickshaws are abundant, and within town should cost ₹20-40. Auto fare from airport to Aberdeen Bazaar in the city centre is Rs.30. Auto fare from Aberdeen Bazaar to Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex is Rs.10. From Aberdeen Bazaar to Marine jetty (from where you get ships to Havelock Islands, Long island, etc) is also ₹10 (as on March 2010) Note: Another writer would say these prices are extremely low and only a local would get them.

Things to CarryEdit

It is a MUST to carry food and water to Jolly Buoy as you won’t find anything there. You can pick up something from Wandoor, however Visitors are advised to bring packed lunch packs and Water bottles from Port Blair. PLEASE DO NOT THROW RUBBISH ALL OVER THE AREA. PLEASE KEEP WANDOOR BEACH CLEAN!

Safety / WarningEdit

Plastic bottles and bags are not permitted in the park and one need to deposit money for each bottle carried. The security deposit is Rs. 100 for up to 3 bottles. On completion of the trip, you are expected to show the required number of bottles to the forest official to claim your deposit.